Knott Laboratory provides forensic engineering and animation, Civil & Structural, and Fire & Explosion Investigation services to reconstruct accidents.


Baler Accidents

145 reported accidents involving balers since the year 2000


Balers are machines used to compress solid waste, primary materials or recoverable materials, with or without binding, to a dense form that will support handling and transportation as a material unit. Balers are essential in various industries, especially the farming and recycling industries. Balers have been involved in accidents resulting in significant injury or death. The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reported 145 incidents involving balers since the year 2000. Furthermore, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported 34 workers were killed between 1992 and 2000 when they were caught in or crushed by the powerful compacting rams in baling or compacting machines. The Knott Laboratory engineers have investigated various baler accidents including workers getting injured from the baler’s automated binding mechanism when they were reaching into the machine to clear a jam, a worker getting injured from the baler’s ejection mechanism, and workers getting crushed under material jammed inside the baler.

Our investigation of baler accidents include the reconstruction of the accident, product liability assessments, Lockout/Tagout (“LOTO”) evaluations, maintenance, and safety engineering. Knott Laboratory engineers apply physics based principles to baler accident reconstruction. Also, we apply our mechanical, electrical, and safety engineering expertise to evaluate product liability claims.

American Association for Justice article about a Baler Arm Amputation and $7 million settlement

Publications List

The experts at Knott Laboratory have been published in many engineering journals. While most of these essays are quite detailed, these short abstracts express a summary of the overall papers that were published.

Forensic Engineering Investigation of Workplace Incidents Involving Machinery

Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers - June 2015

Experts in the Field

Our forensic engineers are experts in accident reconstruction, failure analysis and cause & origin. Our forensic engineers work directly with our in-house animation department to create state-of-the-art forensic animations for use in court, arbitration, mediation or settlement negotiations.

Richard M. Ziernicki, Ph.D., P.E., DFE

Principal Engineer

(303) 925-1900

Ricky L. Nguyen, M.S., P.E., DFE

Subject Matter Expert

(303) 925-1900

Collin Hurler, P.E.

Project Manager

(303) 925-1900

Brandon Stone

Accident Reconstructionist

(303) 925-1900

Seth J. Behrens, P.E., DFE

Engineering Manager

(303) 925-1900

Brent R. Graham

Accident Reconstruction Manager

(303) 925-1900

Jason P. Evans, M.B.A., B.S.

Project Engineer

(303) 925-1900

Henry “Hank” V. Mowry, P.E., DFE

Director of Engineering

(303) 925-1900

View Samples of Our Work

Since 1982, Knott Laboratory has been providing comprehensive forensic engineering and computer animation services to reconstruct accidents.

What others have to say about our work


High Profile Cases

Knott Laboratory has become the leader in forensic engineering and computer animation by investigating high profile cases and conveying our analysis effectively during litigation.