WHAT IS A HUMAN FACTORS EXPERT WITNESS? TESTIMONY CONSULTANT EXPLAINS

What is a human factors expert witness, you ask? It is a testifying consulting pro who applies principles from psychology, engineering, technology, consulting and/or ergonomics to analyze how people interact with products, systems, and environments. In legal cases, knowing what is a human factors expert witness means being aware that leaders provide opinions on whether people’s behavior, perception, or decision-making played a role in an accident or injury. Testimony is used in personal injury, product liability, transportation accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace safety cases.

As you consider what is a human factors expert witness, know that the field focuses on understanding how people perceive information, make decisions, and respond to their surroundings. When an incident occurs—such as a slip and fall, machinery accident, or vehicle crash—a reviewer examines whether the conditions, design, or environment contributed to human error. Thinking about what is a human factors expert witness, that can include evaluating warning labels, visibility, lighting, noise, control layouts, signage, or usability.

For example, if someone is injured using a consumer product, the expert may assess whether the product’s design met human factors standards. Were the instructions clear? Was the warning label visible and understandable? Could a reasonable person have anticipated the danger? Understanding what is a human factors expert witness, advisors help courts determine whether negligence or poor design contributed to the event.

Human factors experts are also skilled in accident reconstruction and behavioral analysis, helping to explain not just what happened, but why it happened. Pros base their opinions on scientific research, standards (like ANSI or OSHA), and industry best practices.

Considering what is a human factors expert witness in litigation, pros’ job is to communicate people’s behavior in a way that juries and judges can understand. KOLs offer reports, depositions, and in-court testimony that clarify the role of human performance in an incident. This can be invaluable in establishing liability or defending against claims.

Noting what is a human factors expert witness, any given pro brings a focused perspective to legal cases. By analyzing how real people perceive and respond to the world around them, they help make certain that outcomes are based on realistic expectations of human behavior—not just theoretical possibilities.