This page lists many of the common questions we get. Please
do not hesitate to call or email us if you need additional information.
- What types of cases do you handle mostly?
- What percentage of your cases are for the plaintiff?
- How many times have you given depositions and testified in
court?
- What is your education?
- What industries are you familiar with and work in?
- What are your strong points?
- What resources does the firm have at its disposal?
- Do you have a fee schedule and is a retainer necessary?
- Do you have a CV and a list of previous cases?
- What commercial experience do you have?
- Do you have international experience?
- What percentage of your business involves casework?
- Does Protec have laboratory facilities for evaluation?
- How do I contact you and where are you located?
Q. What types of cases do you handle mostly?
A. Over 50% of the cases relate to package failure resulting in bodily injury or property
damage. We have also consulted in a number of intellectual property disputes; converting
processes of all types; disputes involving acquisition and performance of packaging line
equipment and line equipment failure.
Back to Top
Q. What percentage of your cases are for the plaintiff?
A. About 70% are plaintiff related.
Back to Top
Q. How many times have you given depositions and
testified in court?
A. Over the last 10 years Mr. Cirrito has given well over 24 depositions. Recently, the
average annual rate has slightly increased. Because so many cases are settled out of
court, he has testified in court three times thus far as an expert
and three times in other matters.
Back to Top
Q. What is your education?
A. Mr. Cirrito has a BS in Chemistry (1968), MBA (1986), DBA (pending), 33 years in the
packaging industry in packaging development, technical services, project management,
quality control, manufacturing and operations. Also numerous industry educational
programs. Mr. Cirrito has also made presentations in the academic area.
Back to Top
Q. What industries are you familiar with and work in?
A. The firm works in all consumers sectors including food, pharmaceutical, medical device,
cosmetic, personal care, recreational and electronic. We also work in the institutional,
OEM and industrial markets.
Back to Top
Q. What are your strong points?
A. Because of the Chemistry degree and our development activities, we are strong in
packaging components and materials (polymers, paper, metal, wood etc), their
characteristics and usability; formulating adhesives and many types of coatings; machinery
converting and forming/filling processes; and our disciplined approach to problem solving.
Back to Top
Q. What resources does the firm have at its disposal?
A. The firm uses the resources of many State and Federal regulatory agencies and has good
solid contacts at many of them. We perform extensive literature and database searches
where supporting information is needed through certified IT librarians at
universities. Commercial information suppliers and specialists in various industries
have also been engaged in IT research and analyses. Protec makes routine use of the
Internet and reviews daily vertically integrated industry sites and other relevant
portals.
Back to Top
Q. Do you have a fee schedule and is a retainer
necessary?
A. A current fee schedule is available. Out-of-pocket expenses are invoiced at cost.
Invoices are due in our offices within 10 days after submission. A retainer is necessary
to begin work.
Back to Top
Q. Do you have a CV and a list of previous cases?
A. An updated CV and list of previous cases are available. The CV may be submitted
to any court with our approval (only) once the firm has been retained. Protec's
"Package Development Sheet" listing materials and components for packaging
developed for various consumer sectors can also be provided that includes a listing of
equipment experience.
Back to Top
Q. What commercial experience do you have?
A. Protec's 15 years in forensics work is augmented by significant project development
work world-wide addressing emerging and static economies involving consumer packaging
issues. We have developed and implemented several long term technical and business
development projects. Much of our work has been in commercial project research, project
design and development; package development; trouble shooting and problem solving in
package failure and converting (manufacturing) processes. We have followed the regulatory,
environmental and recycling aspects of packaging and the effects on the industry and trade
for years, in the US and in countries around the world. The firm conducts an active
technology transfer activity. We create business and restructuring plans for enterprise
funds, venture capital firms and private companies. Protec has advised the State
Department, Department of Commerce and USDA as well as those of foreign governments. Mr.
Cirrito currently serves on Vice President Gore's Russian Agricultural Commission.
For your commercial needs, please see our website at http://www.ProtecIndustries.com.
Back to Top
Q. Do you have international experience?
A. The company has been retained by attorneys needing consultation and expert witness
services where there has been either inadequate or packaging failure in international
shipping matters. With our commercial activities around the world, we have developed and
consistently maintain an extensive network of industry related companies, private and
public organizations and other resources to call upon.
Back to Top
Q. What percentage of your business involves casework?
A. Approximately 20% of our workload in 2002 was attributed to legal work. The
indication for the year 2003 is it should not be appreciably increased.
Back to Top
Q. Does Protec have laboratory facilities for
evaluation?
A. Protec maintains good relationships with accredited packaging university laboratories
and certified commercial labs. Mr. Cirrito has put together 6 laboratories in
industry but with the cost of maintaining an on-site lab today, it is more economical to
outsource testing services when needed. National and internationally recognized
testing methodologies and procedures are used where appropriate. Also, many
validated and certified by industry. The scientific method is never compromised.
Back to Top
Q. How do I contact you and where are you located?
A. We welcome your request to discuss your needs and how we can help you through our
inquiry page at http://www.PackagingForensics.com.
Also, by phone (954) 587-0894, fax (954) 583-8490 and email (info@PackagingForensics.com). Updated CV
and other Protec documents can be sent by email (Word format) for convenience. We
are located in Plantation (Fort Lauderdale), Florida USA, east coast time, -5 hours GMT.
Back to Top
| 
