Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) concerns the interface between people and products they use, environments in which they function, and jobs/tasks they do. It is a discipline that discovers and applies information and knowledge about human behavior, including using information about people’s characteristics, abilities, and limitations, so that their activities using products in disparate environments are productive and safe.
The past several decades have seen a substantial increase in HFE specialists serving as expert witnesses in product liability and personal injury litigation. The role of the forensic HFE expert witness in such litigation is to analyze the facts and issues in the case from an HFE perspective and to formulate opinions based on the results of the analyses. The expert may be called upon to provide his/her opinions verbally, by written reports, and/or by deposition. Should the case go to trial, the role of the expert is to educate the jury regarding the HFE issues.