The following entries offer a brief synopsis of some of the cases in which Mr. Hanson has testified in deposition and, where noted, at trial. To date, his work has been divided approximately 60% plaintiff and 40% defendant (with a couple of co-defense cases.) Most of the defense cases have settled before reaching expert depositions and are not included here. A fuller brief of all cases in which he has testified, including case numbers and contact information, may be requested following an initial consultation.

EL CAJON, CA – 2015 (Defense)

A male in his mid-30's boarded a transit bus shortly after ingesting a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol, subsequently passing out in a position where he was effectively out of view of the bus operator. The operator was alerted to the passenger’s condition well after he passed out, attempted to check on the man’s condition and, receiving no response, followed policy and alerted her dispatcher. She was instructed to proceed to a transit center approximately five minutes away, where she was met by a supervisor and emergency responders. Mr. Hanson reviewed video of the incident, deposition testimony of involved parties and carrier policies and procedures and inspected the vehicle. In deposition, he offered opinions about the duties and responsibilities of the driver and the policies of the carrier vis-à-vis medically-distressed passengers. The case settled prior to trial.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – 2016 (Plaintiff)

An elderly couple were passengers aboard a transit bus operated by a driver with over 20 years of experience. The bus passed through an intersection with a dip and a raised road bed at a speed that threw the male passenger into the air, injuring his back when he landed. Mr. Hanson reviewed video of the incident, carrier safety policies and procedures, the accident report of the incident and the driver’s qualification and disciplinary files. In two written reports and two depositions, he offered opinions about the operator’s actions and his responsibilities under the standard of care for safe operation of the vehicle when negotiating a dip or bump in the road. This case settled as trial was about to begin.

LOS ANGELES, CA – 2016 (Co-defendant)

A 17-year-old male was a passenger attending a Sweet 16 party on the top-deck of an open top double decker bus. The bus was on the freeway headed back to the point of origin. The young man was standing and facing to the rear of the bus when his head struck an obstruction on an overpass, suffering major cranial trauma; he subsequently died of his injuries. Further investigation and testimony revealed that alcohol being used by a majority of the minor passengers coupled with a lack of immediate adult supervision may have played a part in the accident. Mr. Hanson was retained on behalf of the parents who chartered the bus, who were sued along with the bus company by the parents of the deceased child. In deposition and at trial, he offered opinions about the duties and responsibilities of the bus company to properly train the bus operator in methods of passenger control, particularly in relation to passengers who are engaged in unsafe behavior; to be aware of the dangers inherent in an open-top vehicle and take steps to mitigate those dangers; and in the requirements of the law vis-à-vis alcohol use on chartered vehicles. The jury found in favor of the plaintiffs and assigned the majority of responsibility to the carrier.

HOUSTON, TX – 2017 (Plaintiff)

The plaintiff was operating a flatbed truck, with two passengers in the cab, pulling a tar trailer on a rural stretch of interstate highway at approximately 4:20 AM in mid-summer. The truck was overtaken by a bus operated in intercity transportation between Laredo and Houston by the defendant. The bus operator, who was on his first day back on a graveyard shift following a week’s vacation, attempted to swerve to the left, but collided with the trailer, cutting a tire and losing control, ending up with the bus on its side off the side of the road. The truck driver and occupants claimed they were operating the vehicle legally in the slow lane. The bus operator claimed the truck was stopped partially in the travel lane with no lights and that he was unable to see the truck in time to avoid it. Mr. Hanson was retained on behalf of the truck driver and offered opinions about safe bus operation in adverse (foggy or dark) conditions and driving while fatigued in a report, deposition and at trial. The jury found the bus driver 65% responsible for the collision and the plaintiff 35% responsible.

LAS VEGAS, NV – 2019 (Plaintiff)

The plaintiff was a male passenger aboard a transit bus operated under contract to the local transit agency. At the end of the line, the passenger wished to stay onboard and ride to the first stop in the opposite direction, which was allowed under the transit district’s policy. The bus operator insisted the passenger deboard, using threatening and abusive language, then called a supervisor, refusing to move the bus. After waiting 10 minutes, the passenger decided to exit the bus and walk to his destination. He first approached the driver to express his displeasure; an argument ensued, escalating to a physical altercation, at which point the driver pulled a concealed weapon and shot the man, striking him in the arm. He then pistol-whipping the passenger before driving away. (He was subsequently arrested, tried and imprisoned.) Mr. Hanson was asked to evaluate the hiring and supervision practices of the carrier in regards to the bus operator. Discovery revealed an ongoing pattern of serious complaints against the driver with no effective disciplinary actions taken over a period of 32 months. Testimony by several supervisory employees revealed that many of them were unaware of the numerous complaints against the operator. Mr. Hanson testified at deposition regarding the responsibility of the carrier to maintain adequate supervision and discipline of operators, using common escalating disciplinary techniques. The case settled prior to trial.

CHICAGO, IL – 2019 (Plaintiff)

The plaintiff, an older woman, boarded a transit bus on a rainy day. She alleged that the bus operator pulled away from the stop in an abrupt manner before she had an opportunity to reach a seat or get a firm handhold, causing her to fall and injure her shoulder. She further alleged that the operator inquired after her well-being and, once being told she did not want medical attention, continued on without reporting the incident to his dispatcher. She subsequently reported the incident after seeking medical attention later in the day. A witness who she was acquainted with confirmed her story. The agency did a search but was unable to turn up any video confirming or denying her story and was unable to identify the driver. Mr. Hanson offered opinions about the techniques a bus operator should use in safely starting the bus from a stop after boarding passengers and about the responsibility of an operator to report all passenger slip-and-fall incidents promptly. The case settled in mediation.