Robert P. Cotton Named One of America's Most Influential Businessmen
TL;DR
Mr. Cotton's expertise in elevators gives him an advantage as a consultant and expert witness in litigation involving elevator/escalator failures.
Mr. Cotton provides forensic focus on electrical or mechanical failures, offering a detailed analysis of incidents involving accidents, inspections, and maintenance.
Mr. Cotton's advocacy for building owners about technology advancements and renovating equipment aims to make elevators and escalators safer, preventing serious injuries.
In 1995, while renovating elevators in a San Francisco hotel, Mr. Cotton sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns, which inspired him to volunteer at a summer camp for children of burn injuries.
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Robert P. Cotton, an esteemed elevator and escalator expert, has been honored as one of America's Most Influential Businessmen by the International Association of Who's Who. With over 40 years of experience, Cotton is a consultant and expert witness in litigation related to elevator and escalator failures and accidents. He also operates his own elevator company in the San Francisco area.
Cotton's expertise is well-recognized, having conducted over 1,000 inspections across the country. His consulting primarily addresses injuries and damages arising from faulty equipment, floods, or fires, with a forensic focus on electrical and mechanical failures. His comprehensive failure analysis includes accidents, inspections, maintenance, construction compliance, and code issues. Cotton has testified over 80 times, providing evidence for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Cotton advocates for building owners to adopt technological advancements and renovate equipment to enhance longevity and prevent failures. He emphasizes that while such upgrades can be costly, they are crucial for avoiding future equipment failures. Modern safety features, now available, can prevent serious injuries during failures. Cotton asserts that compliance with safety codes, routine inspections, and proper maintenance ensures that elevators and escalators are safe and reliable.
In 1995, Cotton experienced a life-changing incident when an electrical short caused an arc-flash, resulting in severe burns. This injury inspired him to live life to the fullest and led to his involvement with the Alicia Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. He volunteered as a counselor for the foundation's Champ-Camp, a summer camp for children with burn injuries, for 17 years, finding it one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
Cotton is also an avid cyclist, snowboarder, and rock climber. He continues to spread awareness about the importance of safety codes, regular maintenance, and proper inspections to ensure that elevators and escalators are not feared but trusted for their safety and reliability.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
