Stephen Watts BEng AMIMechE
Stephen has over 30 years experience investigating accidents and engineering disputes and is recognised by many Solicitors and Insurance Companies for providing a quality service. He is a Law Society Approved Expert Witness and is registered with the UK register of Expert Witnesses and the APIL Expert Witness Database. His instructions have generally been equally divided between Claimant and Defendant although increasingly he has received instructions as the Court appointed engineering expert. Over the years, Stephen has given Expert Testimony in Court on numerous occasions.
With his colleagues, Philip Collier and Andrew Knight, Stephen established Collier Knight Watts LLP in 2003, as a Forensic Engineering Consultancy specializing in providing investigative engineering reports in both insurance and litigation matters.
Stephen’s forensic engineering career began in 1989 when he joined an established firm of consulting forensic engineers. After training in the role of Expert Witness, Stephen has investigated and reported on over 2500 cases relating to a wide range of engineering issues principally in matters relating to personal injury and commercial disputes. He has significant experience reporting on factory and workshop accidents and mechanical failures of equipment. Stephen also has specialist expertise reporting on matters involving Manual Handling, Upper Limb Disorders and Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (VWF) and Noise Induced Hearing Loss.
Stephen’s first appointment in the engineering industry was in 1982 with GEC Turbine Generators in Manchester. He gained considerable experience in workshop practice with his involvement in the manufacture of large steam turbines and the installation, overhaul and commissioning of Power Stations.
He was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours from the department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield in 1986.