Expert Witness
Ladder Safety & Product Consulting by Rene
He specializes in failure analysis, product liability, and injury investigation for climbing products including extension ladders (up to 60 ft), stepladders, scaffolds, planks, attic ladders, and fall protection equipment. Rene regularly partners with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure all products meet strict U.S. and international safety certifications.
Mr. Melendez has been retained in numerous high-profile cases involving ladder product failures, safety violations, and workplace accidents. He has worked on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants and provides objective, evidence-based assessments rooted in industry best practices and standards, including ANSI, OSHA, ISO quality standards, and relevant ASTM specifications.
Professional Qualifications
Extensive Training, Proven Expertise, and Court-Tested Experience
Education & Credentials:
- Extensive training in ladder design, testing protocols, and failure analysis
- Familiarity with ISO, ANSI, OSHA, and CSA ladder compliance standards
- Continuous education through seminars, trade associations, and product training
- UTEP: MBA – Business Administration 8/2023
- Park University: Bachelors – Business Administration 6/2014 – 5/2019
- El Paso Community College: AA – Industrial Engineering 8/1999 – 5/2004
Areas of Expertise:
- Ladder design, testing & safety compliance
- Fall protection: harnesses, SRLs, lanyards
- OSHA, ANSI, CSA, ISO 17025 compliance, ISO 9001
- Mechanical failure analysis (fiberglass, aluminum)
- Product liability & accident investigation
- Expert witness testimony and depositions
Experience Highlights:
- Reviewed over 100 ladder-related injury cases across 20+ states
- Completed inspections and site visits to analyze ladder condition and failure causes
- Authored detailed expert reports with clear, courtroom-ready conclusions
- Worked with the Expert Institute on multiple engagements, including:
- Elliot Gosrich v. Hasegawa Corporation (Tripod ladder failure)
- Mastanduno v. Louisville Ladder Company
- Armstrong v. Stapleton Corp
- Perez v. Guerra, et al.
Credentials:
- 15 years at WernerCo, global leader in ladder safety, Werner is a global manufacturer of ladders, fall protection equipment and storage equipment
- OSHA 10/30 certified
- ISO 17025 Lab Compliance
- ANSI A14 Ladder Safety Standards
- UL, CSA compliance experience
- Ongoing industry training & leadership in mechanical testing protocols
Availability:
- Available nationwide for:
- Record & case review
- Expert consulting
- Site inspections
- Expert testimony
- Rush consultations
- Deposition & trial preparation
Primary Areas of Expertise
- Ladder Design, Manufacturing, and Safety
- Fall Protection Systems (Harnesses, Lanyards, SRLs)
- ANSI, OSHA, CSA, UL, and ISO Standards Compliance
- Ladder Accident Investigation and Failure Analysis
- Mechanical Testing of Climbing Products
- Extension and Stepladder Testing (16ft–60ft, Stepstools–20ft)
- Attic Ladder Testing (Aluminum, Wood, Compact)
- Product Liability and Defect Analysis
- Workplace Safety and Height-Related Hazards
- Expert Witness Testimony and Litigation Support
- Testing of Toolboxes, Storage Boxes, and Fuel Tanks (e.g., Weatherguard, Knaack, Better Built)
- Test Lab Operations and ISO 17025 Quality System
Give Us a Call Today!
We’re here to answer your questions, discuss your needs, and provide expert guidance. Reach out now and let’s get started.