Answers to common questions attorneys ask before reaching out.
What types of cases do you handle?
Precision Technical Advisors provides mechanical engineering and materials science expertise across a broad range of failure analysis and product liability matters. This includes design and manufacturing defects, fracture and fatigue failures, mechanical behavior of materials, and failures in equipment and consumer products, from pressure vessels and industrial machinery to everyday consumer goods. The underlying expertise spans a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering, a Professional Engineer license, twenty five years of engineering experience across industrial product design and academic research, thirty five peer reviewed publications in manufacturing and materials characterization, and a decade of research into welding, additive manufacturing, and casting processes. I offer opinions on whether a product’s design and manufacturing process were appropriate, and whether a specific defect is consistent with a process failure or with misuse or overload.
Do you work for plaintiffs, defendants, or both?
Both. My job is to get to the technical truth of what happened, regardless of which side retains me, and my opinions are never shaped by or contingent on the outcome of the case.
Do you take cases outside the Pacific Northwest?
Yes. I am based in Washington State but accept engagements nationwide.
Are there matter types you don’t take?
My focus is mechanical engineering and materials science, so I typically don’t take matters that are primarily electrical, chemical process, civil or structural, or software related. If a case sits at the boundary of one of those areas and mechanical failure, I’m happy to have a conversation about fit.
What’s the first step if I want to reach out?
The quickest way to reach me is by email at mmaughan@precisiontechnicaladvisors.com or through the contact form at precisiontechnicaladvisors.com. A brief description of the matter and the technical question involved is a good starting point.
What information do you need to evaluate a case?
A short summary of the failure or defect at issue and the key documents you have available, such as incident reports, photographs, maintenance or service records, and any existing expert reports. I can usually tell within a short conversation whether a matter is a good fit.
Can you scope the work to fit my budget?
Yes. Every case is different, and I tailor the engagement to what the matter actually needs. Some cases call for a full, deep-dive investigation with extensive testing; others just need a focused preliminary review and a short report to help you evaluate the case efficiently. Tell me what you need and what makes sense to spend on the matter, and I will scope the work accordingly.
How quickly do you respond to an inquiry?
Typically within twenty four hours.
Is there a cost for the initial consultation?
No. The initial consultation to review the matter and determine fit is free.
Do you review documents, inspect equipment or sites, or both?
Both. Depending on the case, this can mean reviewing case materials and records, inspecting the failed component or site, and physically testing exemplar products or materials rather than relying on documents alone.
Do you write reports, and how long does that take?
Yes. Turnaround depends on the complexity of the case. Once retained, I can give you a specific timeline based on the scope of work.
Are you available for deposition and trial testimony?
Yes.
What’s your fee structure?
Work is billed on a retainer plus hourly basis. Contact me directly for current rates.
What’s your background?
Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Purdue University, licensed Professional Engineer in Idaho and Washington, and currently an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Idaho. Twenty five years of experience spanning industrial design engineering (including a lead design role at a startup consumer products engineering company and a design engineering role at Hewlett-Packard) and academic research in failure analysis, fracture mechanics, and materials process-structure-property relationships. Thirty five peer reviewed publications, five patents, editor of two Springer volumes on fracture behavior and advanced manufacturing, and principal investigator or co-investigator on more than ten million dollars in research funding.
What sets your approach apart?
A rigorous dedication to finding the actual cause of failure, whichever direction that points. My work tends to be hands-on: testing exemplar products and materials directly rather than relying solely on paper review, so opinions are grounded in what the evidence actually shows.
