FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`Our
`
`File
`
`No.:
`
`115409-01/LDL/di
`
`d
`
`OF
`COURT
`SUPREME
`OF GREENE
`COUNTY
`--------------------------------------x
`ALFELD
`and
`THOMAS
`
`-against-
`
`THE
`
`STATE
`
`OF
`
`NEW YORK
`
`BETHANY
`
`ALFELD,
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`APEX
`
`U.S.A.,
`
`TOOL
`
`GROUP,
`INC.,
`
`LLC
`
`and
`
`HOME
`
`DEPOT
`
`- -------------------------------
`
`Defendants.
`
`-
`
`-
`
`- -
`
`- x
`
`AFFIRMATION
`
`N OPPOSITION
`
`EF2018-8
`12/16/2022 03:34:45 PM
`
`ll
`II
`Marilyn Earrell, County Clerk
`
`1111
`
`Clerk: LAR
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`18-0008
`
`AFFIRMATION
`OPPOSITION
`IN
`
`JUN
`
`2 2 go
`
`S
`
`GREENE COUNTY
`UPREME &. COUNTY COURT
`
`LAWRENCE
`
`D.
`
`LISSAUER,
`
`an
`
`attorney
`
`duly
`
`licensed
`
`to
`
`practice
`
`law
`
`in
`
`the
`
`State
`
`of
`
`New
`
`York,
`
`affirms
`
`the
`
`following
`
`under
`
`penalties
`
`of
`
`perjury:
`
`I
`
`am
`
`a
`
`partner
`
`with
`
`the
`
`law
`
`firm
`
`of
`
`FINKELSTEIN
`
`&
`
`PARTNERS,
`
`attorneys
`
`plaintiffs
`
`the
`
`entitled
`
`LLP,
`
`for
`
`the
`
`in
`
`above
`
`action,
`
`and
`
`in
`
`such
`
`capacity,
`
`I
`
`am
`
`fully
`
`familiar
`
`with
`
`the
`
`facts
`
`and
`
`proceedings
`
`had
`
`herein
`
`through
`
`a
`
`file
`
`maintained
`
`by
`
`this
`
`office.
`
`I
`
`submit
`
`this
`
`affirmation
`
`in
`
`opposition
`
`to
`
`the
`
`defendants'
`
`motion
`
`for
`
`summary
`
`judgment.
`
`APEX
`
`Tool
`
`Group
`
`LLC
`
`(hereinafter
`
`APEX)
`
`and
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`USA,
`
`Inc.
`
`(hereinafter
`
`HOME
`
`DEPOT)
`
`plaintiff
`
`have
`
`moved
`
`to
`
`dismiss
`
`all
`
`of
`
`plaintiff's
`
`claims.
`
`The
`
`claims
`
`that
`
`triable
`
`issues
`
`of
`
`fact
`
`exist
`
`on
`
`all
`
`claims
`
`such
`
`that
`
`summary
`
`judgment
`
`should
`
`be
`
`denied.
`
`1 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`This
`
`lawsuit
`
`arises
`
`from
`
`a
`
`product
`
`liability
`
`occurrence
`
`of
`
`January
`
`9th
`
`2017.
`
`On
`
`that
`
`day
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`working
`
`as
`
`a
`
`self-employed
`
`Carpenter.
`
`A
`
`few
`
`weeks
`
`earlier
`
`he
`
`had
`
`purchased
`
`from
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot,
`
`a
`
`flush
`
`cutting
`
`needle
`
`nose
`
`pliers
`
`set.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`uncontroverted
`
`that
`
`this
`
`set
`
`was
`
`part
`
`of
`
`Crescent
`
`tools
`
`and
`
`manufactured
`
`through
`
`Apex
`
`Tool
`
`plaintiff
`
`group.
`
`The
`
`was
`
`using
`
`these
`
`pliers
`
`for
`
`the
`
`first
`
`time
`
`on
`
`the
`
`day
`
`of
`
`his
`
`incident.
`
`At
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`this
`
`occurrence
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`working
`
`on
`
`a
`
`staircase
`
`in
`
`a
`
`customer's
`
`home
`
`on
`
`Crystal
`
`Point
`
`Rd
`
`in
`
`Cairo
`
`NY.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`ready
`
`to
`
`leave
`
`for
`
`the
`
`day
`
`when
`
`he
`
`observed
`
`some
`
`pin
`
`nails
`
`sticking
`
`and
`
`out
`
`of
`
`the
`
`up
`
`protruding
`
`staircase.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`later
`
`learned
`
`that
`
`these
`
`were
`
`Hitachi
`
`23-gauge
`
`headless
`
`pins
`
`that
`
`were
`
`1 ¼ inches
`
`long.
`
`He
`
`used
`
`the
`
`needle
`
`nose
`
`pliers
`
`wire
`
`cutter
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`portions
`
`of
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`that
`
`were
`
`protruding,
`
`in
`
`order
`
`to
`
`make
`
`them
`
`flush
`
`with
`
`the
`
`staircase
`
`surface.
`
`The
`
`proof
`
`has
`
`indicated
`
`that
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`not
`
`protective
`
`eyewear
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`this
`
`incident
`
`using
`
`occurred.
`
`As
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`cutting
`
`a
`
`nail
`
`one
`
`of
`
`the
`
`two
`
`blades
`
`on
`
`the
`
`pliers
`
`broke
`
`off.
`
`One
`
`of
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`flew
`
`off
`
`entering
`
`into
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`eye.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`using
`
`the
`
`wire
`
`cutter
`
`foreseeable
`
`use
`
`in
`
`at
`
`a
`
`foreseeable
`
`manner
`
`and
`
`for
`
`a
`
`the
`
`time
`
`it
`
`failed.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`argued
`
`that
`
`divergent
`
`expert
`
`opinions
`
`require
`
`2 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`a
`
`denial
`
`of
`
`summary
`
`judgment
`
`and
`
`the
`
`case
`
`being
`
`submitted
`
`to
`
`a
`
`finder
`
`of
`
`fact.
`
`The
`
`law
`
`accompanying
`
`memorandum
`
`in
`
`of
`
`this
`
`law.
`
`regard
`
`will
`
`be
`
`discussed
`
`in
`
`the
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`commenced
`
`this
`
`action
`
`by
`
`the
`
`service
`
`of
`
`a
`
`Summons
`
`and
`
`Complaint
`
`on
`
`or
`
`about
`
`January
`
`2,
`
`2018.
`
`The
`
`Summons
`
`and
`
`and
`
`Complaint
`
`were
`
`annexed
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`A to
`
`the
`
`moving
`
`papers
`
`incorporated
`
`by
`
`reference
`
`herein.
`
`The
`
`defendant
`
`APEX
`
`joined
`
`issue
`
`on
`
`or
`
`about
`
`February
`
`6,
`
`2018.
`
`This
`
`answer
`
`was
`
`annexed
`
`to
`
`the
`
`moving
`
`papers
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`B
`
`and
`
`incorporated
`
`by
`
`reference.
`
`The
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`served
`
`its
`
`answer
`
`on
`
`or
`
`about
`
`March
`
`16,
`
`annexed
`
`as
`
`2018.
`
`This
`
`was
`
`to
`
`the
`
`moving
`
`papers
`
`Exhibit
`
`C and
`
`incorporated
`
`by
`
`refence
`
`herein.
`
`Apex
`
`served
`
`a
`
`demand
`
`for
`
`interrogatories
`
`which
`
`was
`
`responded
`
`to
`
`by
`
`the
`
`plaintiff.
`
`The
`
`demand
`
`and
`
`response
`
`were
`
`annexed
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`D to
`
`the
`
`moving
`
`papers
`
`and
`
`incorporated
`
`by
`
`reference.
`
`Defense
`
`counsel,
`
`in
`
`paragraph
`
`8
`
`of
`
`his
`
`affidavit,
`
`asserts
`
`that
`
`"on
`
`the
`
`date
`
`of
`
`the
`
`incident,
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`THOMAS
`
`ALFED,
`
`was
`
`working
`
`on
`
`a
`
`staircase
`
`in
`
`a
`
`customer's
`
`house.
`
`The
`
`incident
`
`occurred
`
`as
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`operating
`
`the
`
`aforesaid
`
`tool,
`
`attempting
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`a
`
`pin
`
`nail.
`
`The
`
`tool's
`
`blade
`
`broke
`
`off
`
`and
`
`struck
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`in
`
`the
`
`eye,
`
`thereby
`
`causing
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`3
`
`3 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`to
`
`sustain
`
`severe
`
`and
`
`serious
`
`injuries."
`
`See
`
`Exhibit
`
`D,
`
`184.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`acknowledges
`
`this
`
`representation.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`further
`
`acknowledges
`
`that
`
`he
`
`was
`
`not
`
`wearing
`
`eye
`
`protection
`
`at
`
`the
`
`specific
`
`time
`
`of
`
`the
`
`alleged
`
`incident
`
`as
`
`per
`
`paragraph
`
`99
`
`of
`
`the
`
`interrogatory
`
`response.
`
`Per
`
`interrogatory
`
`response,
`
`paragraph
`
`109,
`
`the
`
`claimed
`
`the
`
`negligence
`
`and
`
`strict
`
`liability
`
`claims
`
`were
`
`premised
`
`upon
`
`allegations
`
`and
`
`theories
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`"The
`
`defendants
`
`negligently,
`
`wantonly,
`
`recklessly
`
`and
`
`carelessly
`
`designed,
`
`manufactured,
`
`fabricated,
`
`produced,
`
`sold,
`
`distributed
`
`and
`
`placed
`
`into
`
`the
`
`stream
`
`of
`
`commerce
`
`the
`
`aforesaid
`
`flush-cutting
`
`needle-
`
`nose
`
`plier
`
`tool,
`
`and
`
`its
`
`component
`
`parts,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`hazardous,
`
`defective
`
`and/or
`
`not
`
`provided
`
`pliers
`
`whose
`
`reasonably
`
`safe;
`
`blades
`
`were
`
`prone
`
`to
`
`break
`
`and
`
`become
`
`dislodged,
`
`thereby
`
`posing
`
`a
`
`risk
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`would
`
`break
`
`and
`
`strike
`
`the
`
`user
`
`of
`
`the
`
`tool;
`
`provided
`
`pliers
`
`whose
`
`blades
`
`were
`
`not
`
`adequately
`
`attached
`
`to
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`so
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`could
`
`become
`
`dislodged
`
`during
`
`use;
`
`provided
`
`pliers
`
`composed
`
`of
`
`weak,
`
`and
`
`otherwise
`
`cracked,
`
`defective
`
`material
`
`so
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`could
`
`become
`
`dislodged
`
`during
`
`use;
`
`and
`
`provided
`
`a
`
`defective
`
`tool."
`
`These
`
`are
`
`the
`
`claims
`
`but
`
`the
`
`identity
`
`in
`
`the
`
`affidavit
`
`of
`
`of
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`as
`
`to
`
`name
`
`is
`
`discussed
`
`below
`
`and
`
`plaintiff's
`
`expert.
`
`More
`
`specifically,
`
`as
`
`to
`
`APEX
`
`Tool
`
`Group
`
`LLC,
`
`the
`
`claims
`
`4
`
`4 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`are
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`"That
`
`the
`
`defendant,
`
`APEX
`
`TOOL
`
`GROUP,
`
`LLC,
`
`its
`
`agents,
`
`servants
`
`and/or
`
`employees
`
`were
`
`negligent,
`
`wanton,
`
`reckless
`
`and
`
`careless
`
`in
`
`designing,
`
`manufacturing,
`
`fabricating,
`
`producing,
`
`selling,
`
`distributing
`
`and
`
`placing
`
`into
`
`the
`
`stream
`
`commerce
`
`the
`
`aforesaid
`
`flush-cutting
`
`needle-nose
`
`plier
`
`tool,
`
`of
`
`and
`
`its
`
`component
`
`which
`
`was
`
`hazardous,
`
`defective
`
`and/or
`
`not
`
`parts,
`
`reasonably
`
`safe;
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`pliers
`
`whose
`
`blades
`
`were
`
`prone
`
`to
`
`break
`
`and
`
`become
`
`dislodged,
`
`thereby
`
`posing
`
`a
`
`risk
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`would
`
`break
`
`and
`
`strike
`
`the
`
`user
`
`of
`
`the
`
`tool;
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`pliers
`
`whose
`
`blades
`
`were
`
`not
`
`adequately
`
`attached
`
`to
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`so
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`could
`
`become
`
`dislodged
`
`use;
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`during
`
`pliers
`
`composed
`
`of
`
`weak,
`
`cracked,
`
`and
`
`otherwise
`
`defective
`
`material
`
`so
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`could
`
`become
`
`dislodged
`
`during
`
`use;
`
`and
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`a
`
`defective
`
`tool."
`
`See
`
`interrogatory
`
`response
`
`111.
`
`These
`
`are
`
`the
`
`claims
`
`but
`
`the
`
`identity
`
`of
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`as
`
`to
`
`name
`
`is
`
`discussed
`
`below
`
`and
`
`in
`
`the
`
`affidavit
`
`of
`
`plaintiff's
`
`expert.
`
`Home
`
`As
`
`to
`
`Depot,
`
`the
`
`claims
`
`were
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`"That
`
`the
`
`defendant,
`
`HOME
`
`DEPOT
`
`U.S.A.,
`
`INC.,
`
`its
`
`agents,
`
`servants
`
`and/or
`
`employees
`
`were
`
`negligent,
`
`wanton,
`
`reckless
`
`and
`
`careless
`
`in,
`
`among
`
`other
`
`things,
`
`designing,
`
`manufacturing,
`
`fabricating,
`
`producing,
`
`selling,
`
`distributing
`
`and
`
`placing
`
`into
`
`the
`
`stream
`
`commerce
`
`the
`
`aforesaid
`
`flush-cutting
`
`needle-nose
`
`plier
`
`tool,
`
`of
`
`and
`
`5
`
`5 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`its
`
`component
`
`parts,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`hazardous,
`
`defective
`
`and/or
`
`not
`
`reasonably
`
`safe;
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`pliers
`
`whose
`
`blades
`
`were
`
`prone
`
`to
`
`break
`
`and
`
`become
`
`dislodged,
`
`thereby
`
`posing
`
`a
`
`risk
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`pliers
`
`would
`
`break
`
`and
`
`strike
`
`the
`
`user
`
`of
`
`the
`
`tool;
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`whose
`
`blades
`
`were
`
`not
`
`attached
`
`to
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`so
`
`adequately
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`could
`
`become
`
`dislodged
`
`during
`
`use;
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`pliers
`
`composed
`
`of
`
`weak,
`
`cracked,
`
`and
`
`otherwise
`
`defective
`
`material
`
`so
`
`that
`
`the
`
`blades
`
`could
`
`become
`
`dislodged
`
`during
`
`use;
`
`in
`
`providing
`
`a
`
`defective
`
`tool,"
`
`These
`
`are
`
`the
`
`claims
`
`but
`
`the
`
`identity
`
`of
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`as
`
`to
`
`name
`
`is
`
`discussed
`
`below
`
`and
`
`in
`
`the
`
`affidavit
`
`of
`
`plaintiff's
`
`expert.
`
`Similarly,
`
`in
`
`paragraph
`
`111
`
`of
`
`the
`
`interrogatory
`
`response,
`
`plaintiff
`
`claims
`
`that
`
`his
`
`claim
`
`of
`
`negligence
`
`is
`
`that
`
`aforementioned
`
`tool
`
`broke
`
`while
`
`being
`
`used
`
`on
`
`the
`
`date
`
`of
`
`the
`
`the
`
`this
`
`incident.
`
`As
`
`pertaining
`
`to
`
`plaintiff's
`
`breach
`
`of
`
`warranty
`
`claim
`
`we
`
`draw
`
`the
`
`court's
`
`attention
`
`to
`
`paragraph
`
`111
`
`where
`
`it
`
`similarly
`
`is
`
`asserted:
`
`it
`
`will
`
`be
`
`claimed
`
`that,
`
`upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`pliers
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`sale
`
`of
`
`said
`
`flush-cutting
`
`needle-nose
`
`tool
`
`and
`
`its
`
`component
`
`parts,
`
`certain
`
`warranties
`
`were
`
`made
`
`by
`
`the
`
`defendants
`
`to
`
`the
`
`purchasers
`
`and/or
`
`users
`
`of
`
`said
`
`product.
`
`This
`
`response
`
`was
`
`supplemented
`
`by
`
`paragraphs
`
`117
`
`and
`
`118.
`
`6
`
`6 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`Paragraph
`
`117:
`
`"Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`the
`
`defendants
`
`did
`
`breach
`
`implied
`
`warranties
`
`in
`
`that
`
`the
`
`said
`
`flush-cutting
`
`needle-nose
`
`plier
`
`tool
`
`was
`
`not
`
`designed,
`
`manufactured,
`
`fabricated,
`
`constructed,
`
`distributed,
`
`assembled,
`
`supplied
`
`and
`
`sold
`
`in
`
`such
`
`a manner
`
`so
`
`as
`
`to
`
`render
`
`it
`
`safe
`
`for
`
`its
`
`intended
`
`purpose
`
`and
`
`further,
`
`that
`
`said
`
`flush
`
`cutting
`
`needle-nose
`
`pliers
`
`tool
`
`and
`
`its
`
`component
`
`parts,
`
`was
`
`not
`
`of
`
`merchantable
`
`quality
`
`to
`
`render
`
`it
`
`safe
`
`for
`
`use."
`
`Paragraph
`
`118
`
`deals
`
`with
`
`the
`
`failure
`
`to
`
`warn
`
`claim(s).
`
`Specifically,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`alleged
`
`that
`
`the
`
`"Plaintiff
`
`should
`
`have
`
`been
`
`warned
`
`that
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`was
`
`not
`
`made
`
`to
`
`handle
`
`every
`
`cutting
`
`application;
`
`that
`
`the
`
`tool's
`
`carbon
`
`steel
`
`construction
`
`not
`
`be
`
`adequate
`
`for
`
`every
`
`cutting
`
`application;
`
`that
`
`jaws/blades
`
`can
`
`accommodate
`
`objects
`
`that
`
`exceed
`
`may
`
`the
`
`the
`
`tool's
`
`tool's
`
`open
`
`safe
`
`cutting
`
`during
`
`capacity;
`
`that
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`can
`
`break
`
`catastrophically
`
`cutting;
`
`that
`
`a
`
`breaking
`
`tool
`
`can
`
`discharge
`
`dangerous
`
`projectile(s);
`
`that
`
`the
`
`tool's
`
`hard
`
`wire
`
`cutting
`
`capacity
`
`is
`
`less
`
`than
`
`its
`
`soft
`
`wire
`
`capacity;
`
`of
`
`the
`
`maximum
`
`cutting
`
`diameter
`
`of
`
`hard
`
`wire
`
`that
`
`this
`
`tool
`
`can
`
`be
`
`cut
`
`safely
`
`without
`
`tool
`
`failure;
`
`to
`
`not
`
`cut
`
`hard
`
`wire
`
`and
`
`to
`
`not
`
`cut
`
`nails."
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`also
`
`alleges
`
`per
`
`interrogatory
`
`response
`
`that
`
`the
`
`warning
`
`on
`
`the
`
`throw-away
`
`packaging
`
`card
`
`requiring
`
`use
`
`of
`
`safety
`
`goggles
`
`was
`
`too
`
`inconspicuous.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`#119
`
`the
`
`7
`
`7 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`claims
`
`that
`
`there
`
`should
`
`have
`
`been
`
`warnings
`
`on
`
`the
`
`product
`
`specifically
`
`pertaining
`
`to
`
`the
`
`use
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`in
`
`question
`
`and
`
`the
`
`prohibition
`
`against
`
`using
`
`the
`
`product
`
`relative
`
`to
`
`the
`
`cutting
`
`of
`
`nails.
`
`Specifically,
`
`the
`
`"Plaintiff
`
`was
`
`not
`
`warned
`
`that
`
`cutting
`
`a
`
`nail
`
`with
`
`this
`
`tool
`
`would
`
`result
`
`in
`
`breakage
`
`of
`
`a
`
`blade
`
`and
`
`the
`
`dangerous
`
`discharge
`
`of
`
`hazardous
`
`broken
`
`piece(s).
`
`Additionally,
`
`these
`
`inconspicuous
`
`warnings
`
`failed
`
`to
`
`remind
`
`plaintiff
`
`to
`
`wear
`
`eye
`
`protection
`
`for
`
`an
`
`operation,
`
`such
`
`as
`
`cutting
`
`nails.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`deposed
`
`on
`
`January
`
`15,
`
`2019.
`
`His
`
`transcript
`
`from
`
`this
`
`deposition
`
`was
`
`annexed
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`E
`
`to
`
`the
`
`motion
`
`papers
`
`and
`
`incorporated
`
`reference
`
`in
`
`these
`
`by
`
`opposition
`
`papers.
`
`On May
`
`1,
`
`2019,
`
`Alan
`
`Anderson
`
`testified
`
`on
`
`behalf
`
`of
`
`Apex.
`
`His
`
`transcript
`
`was
`
`annexed
`
`to
`
`the
`
`moving
`
`papers
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`F
`
`and
`
`incorporated
`
`by
`
`reference
`
`in
`
`these
`
`opposition
`
`papers.
`
`Mr.
`
`Anderson
`
`also
`
`submitted
`
`an
`
`affidavit
`
`in
`
`support
`
`of
`
`the
`
`defendants'
`
`summary
`
`judgment
`
`motion.
`
`In
`
`paragraph
`
`13
`
`of
`
`his
`
`affidavit,
`
`counsel
`
`contends
`
`that
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`use
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`without
`
`eye
`
`protection
`
`constituted
`
`an
`
`improper
`
`use
`
`or
`
`misuse
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product.
`
`He
`
`does
`
`not
`
`state
`
`that
`
`it
`
`was
`
`a
`
`superseding
`
`cause
`
`and
`
`does
`
`not
`
`state
`
`that
`
`it
`
`was
`
`the
`
`sole
`
`proximate
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`the
`
`accident.
`
`Respectfully,
`
`this
`
`is
`
`an
`
`issue
`
`of
`
`comparative
`
`negligence
`
`if
`
`any,
`
`8
`
`8 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`in
`
`that
`
`reasons
`
`the
`
`set
`
`product
`
`did
`
`not
`
`function
`
`as
`
`designed,
`
`for
`
`the
`
`forth
`
`by
`
`plaintiff
`
`expert.
`
`Apex
`
`marketed
`
`its
`
`product
`
`through
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot.
`
`The
`
`Home
`
`Depot,
`
`caters
`
`to
`
`large
`
`and
`
`diverse
`
`groups
`
`of
`
`consumers.
`
`Certain
`
`consumers
`
`are
`
`sophisticated,
`
`whereas
`
`other
`
`consumers
`
`know
`
`only
`
`the
`
`very
`
`basics
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`purchased.
`
`This
`
`specific
`
`product
`
`was
`
`not
`
`designed
`
`for
`
`an
`
`elite
`
`group
`
`believe.
`
`of
`
`electricians
`
`etc.,
`
`as
`
`counsel
`
`would
`
`like
`
`this
`
`court
`
`to
`
`It
`
`is
`
`the
`
`undisputed
`
`the
`
`product
`
`separated
`
`and
`
`failed
`
`and
`
`the
`
`blad
`
`of
`
`the
`
`separated
`
`part
`
`ending
`
`up
`
`in
`
`plaintiff's
`
`plaintiff
`
`have
`
`but
`
`eye.
`
`still
`
`Yes,
`
`the
`
`may
`
`been
`
`culpable,
`
`liability
`
`rests
`
`with
`
`the
`
`defendant
`
`based
`
`upon
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`expert
`
`affidavit
`
`(Growney)
`
`and
`
`report
`
`and
`
`when
`
`viewing
`
`the
`
`case
`
`authority
`
`cited
`
`by
`
`the
`
`accompanying
`
`memorandum
`
`of
`
`law.
`
`The
`
`does
`
`not
`
`acknowledge
`
`culpability
`
`for
`
`purposes
`
`of
`
`this
`
`plaintiff
`
`motion.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`OF
`
`DEPOSTIONS
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`deposed
`
`on
`
`January
`
`15,
`
`2019.
`
`It
`
`was
`
`annexed
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`E
`
`to
`
`the
`
`defendant's
`
`motion
`
`and
`
`incorporated
`
`by
`
`reference.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`his
`
`accident
`
`plaintiff
`
`occurred
`
`on
`
`Crystal
`
`Point
`
`Rd
`
`in
`
`Cairo
`
`New
`
`York.
`
`The
`
`had
`
`been
`
`working
`
`at
`
`this
`
`location
`
`for
`
`four
`
`to
`
`six
`
`9
`
`9 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`weeks.
`
`An
`
`agreement
`
`had
`
`been
`
`entered
`
`into
`
`with
`
`the
`
`property
`
`owner,
`
`but
`
`there
`
`was
`
`no
`
`formal
`
`contract.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`in
`
`question
`
`was
`
`a
`
`23-gauge
`
`pin
`
`nail.
`
`See
`
`pages
`
`17
`
`and
`
`18.
`
`More
`
`specifically,
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`the
`
`gauge
`
`is
`
`the
`
`size
`
`of
`
`the
`
`nail.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`one
`
`of
`
`the
`
`smaller
`
`size
`
`made.
`
`that
`
`nail
`
`for
`
`nails
`
`that
`
`are
`
`He
`
`added
`
`he
`
`used
`
`this
`
`doing
`
`finishing
`
`work.
`
`It
`
`does
`
`not
`
`have
`
`a
`
`head
`
`on
`
`it.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`intended
`
`to
`
`disappear
`
`into
`
`the
`
`details
`
`of
`
`the
`
`wood.
`
`The
`
`side
`
`that
`
`goes
`
`into
`
`the
`
`wood
`
`has
`
`a
`
`chisel
`
`point
`
`and
`
`one
`
`has
`
`to
`
`use
`
`a
`
`nail
`
`gun
`
`in
`
`its
`
`application.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`stated
`
`that
`
`one
`
`does
`
`not
`
`noted
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`hammer
`
`it
`
`in.
`
`At
`
`page
`
`10
`
`it
`
`was
`
`that
`
`at
`
`the
`
`accident
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`building
`
`a
`
`staircase.
`
`He
`
`had
`
`done
`
`this
`
`type
`
`of
`
`work
`
`previously.
`
`He
`
`was
`
`self-employed
`
`doing
`
`business
`
`as
`
`T.
`
`Alfeld
`
`Build
`
`and
`
`Design
`
`(10).
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`indicated
`
`that
`
`his
`
`work
`
`was
`
`primarily
`
`in
`
`the
`
`carpentry
`
`and
`
`remodeling
`
`sector.
`
`Regarding
`
`the
`
`specific
`
`work
`
`engaged
`
`in
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`the
`
`accident
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`"So,
`
`I
`
`was
`
`building
`
`a
`
`staircase
`
`from
`
`the
`
`first
`
`floor
`
`or
`
`the
`
`ground
`
`floor
`
`to
`
`the
`
`second
`
`floor.
`
`I
`
`was
`
`probably
`
`--
`
`I
`
`was
`
`towards
`
`the
`
`towards
`
`the
`
`tail
`
`end
`
`of
`
`the
`
`project
`
`and
`
`I
`
`was
`
`putting
`
`trim
`
`up,
`
`little
`
`cove
`
`molding
`
`up
`
`underneath
`
`the
`
`bullnose
`
`of
`
`the
`
`landing,
`
`which
`
`10
`
`is,
`
`basically,
`
`just
`
`the
`
`edge
`
`10 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`piece
`
`of
`
`board
`
`that
`
`transitions
`
`from
`
`the
`
`edge
`
`of
`
`the
`
`landing
`
`to
`
`the
`
`floor".
`
`-
`
`"while
`
`nailing
`
`the
`
`trim
`
`on,
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`the
`
`--
`
`floor,
`
`I
`
`shot
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`through
`
`and
`
`it
`
`popped
`
`up
`
`through
`
`which
`
`my
`
`intention
`
`was
`
`for
`
`it
`
`to
`
`stay
`
`in,
`
`you
`
`but
`
`a
`
`nail
`
`will,
`
`you
`
`know,
`
`project
`
`from
`
`know,
`
`the
`
`floor."
`
`occasionally
`
`(Plaintiff's
`
`testimony
`
`13-14).
`
`This
`
`nail
`
`gun,
`
`part
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`in
`
`guestion
`
`was
`
`specifically
`
`designed
`
`for
`
`these
`
`types
`
`of
`
`nails,
`
`but
`
`there
`
`are
`
`different
`
`lengths.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`candid
`
`and
`
`admitted
`
`at
`
`pages
`
`20-21
`
`of
`
`his
`
`deposition
`
`that
`
`at
`
`the
`
`precise
`
`time
`
`of
`
`the
`
`he
`
`was
`
`not
`
`protective
`
`glasses.
`
`He
`
`had
`
`worn
`
`incident
`
`wearing
`
`protective
`
`eyewear
`
`earlier
`
`in
`
`the
`
`day.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`surmised
`
`that
`
`in
`
`this
`
`particular
`
`instance,
`
`it
`
`didn't
`
`seem
`
`like
`
`there
`
`was
`
`enough
`
`of
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`sticking
`
`out
`
`his
`
`glasses
`
`which
`
`had
`
`been
`
`stowed
`
`away
`
`for
`
`the
`
`day.
`
`to
`
`At
`
`retrieve
`
`pages
`
`and
`
`23
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`shown
`
`various
`
`photographs
`
`depicting
`
`22
`
`the
`
`involved
`
`in
`
`this
`
`instrumentality
`
`accident.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`acknowledged
`
`the
`
`photographs
`
`but
`
`indicated
`
`that
`
`photograph
`
`"P"
`
`had
`
`different
`
`packaging
`
`than
`
`he
`
`recalls.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`he
`
`was
`
`working
`
`with
`
`a
`
`tool
`
`he
`
`described
`
`as
`
`"snips".
`
`He
`
`had
`
`worked
`
`with
`
`snips
`
`previously,
`
`but
`
`not
`
`the
`
`same
`
`size
`
`as
`
`he
`
`was
`
`with
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`his
`
`working
`
`11
`
`11 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`accident
`
`(plaintiff's
`
`testimony
`
`(23-24).
`
`The
`
`packaging
`
`referred
`
`to
`
`this
`
`product
`
`as
`
`a miniature
`
`wire
`
`cutter
`
`and
`
`plier
`
`set.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`purchased
`
`this
`
`product
`
`so
`
`that
`
`he
`
`would
`
`be
`
`able
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`as
`
`flush
`
`as
`
`possible
`
`to
`
`the
`
`wood.
`
`The
`
`day
`
`of
`
`the
`
`was
`
`the
`
`first
`
`time
`
`he
`
`used
`
`the
`
`tool.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`accident
`
`acknowledged
`
`product
`
`cuts
`
`that
`
`soft
`
`the
`
`back
`
`wires
`
`up
`
`of
`
`to
`
`the
`
`packaging
`
`indicates
`
`that
`
`the
`
`20
`
`gauge.
`
`There
`
`were
`
`no
`
`prohibitions
`
`on
`
`the
`
`product
`
`or
`
`on
`
`the
`
`packaging.
`
`At
`
`page
`
`27
`
`the
`
`following
`
`questions
`
`and
`
`answers
`
`were
`
`given:
`
`you
`
`Do
`wire
`of
`
`if
`
`know
`this
`when
`
`the
`
`gauge
`
`packaging,
`we're
`
`it
`
`that
`Exhibit
`
`talks
`
`G,
`
`is
`
`about
`the
`
`about
`
`a
`
`pin
`
`on
`gauge
`
`talking
`
`for
`same
`nail?
`
`I
`
`don't
`
`know.
`
`No,
`
`I
`
`don't
`
`know
`
`if
`
`it's
`
`the
`
`same
`
`Q:
`soft
`type
`
`A:
`gauge.
`
`Q:
`if
`
`A:
`higher
`for
`than
`
`Is
`
`the
`
`--
`
`anything,
`
`a
`does
`
`23
`
`gauge
`that
`
`versus
`mean
`
`to
`
`a
`you
`
`20
`gauge,
`about
`
`the
`
`what,
`two?
`
`My
`
`understanding
`number
`indicates
`like
`a
`
`is
`
`that
`that
`23-gauge
`
`when
`the
`nail
`
`measuring
`gauge
`is
`would
`
`be
`
`gauge,
`smaller.
`smaller
`
`a
`
`So,
`
`example,
`a
`16-gauge
`
`nail.
`
`A 23-gauge
`
`nail
`
`would
`
`be
`
`smaller
`
`than
`
`a
`
`20-gauge
`
`nail
`
`(see
`
`plaintiff
`
`and
`
`28).
`
`at
`
`pages
`
`27
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`whether
`
`there
`
`was
`
`a
`
`different
`
`gauge
`
`standard,
`
`did
`
`for
`
`not
`
`know
`
`as
`
`to
`
`wire
`
`as
`
`opposed
`
`to
`
`nail(s).
`
`There
`
`were
`
`no
`
`warnings
`
`in
`
`this
`
`regard.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`he
`
`had
`
`been
`
`using
`
`his
`
`goggles
`
`and
`
`the
`
`incident
`
`occurred
`
`at
`
`the
`
`end
`
`of
`
`the
`
`day.
`
`He
`
`was
`
`in
`
`the
`
`12
`
`12 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`process
`
`of
`
`cleaning
`
`up
`
`and
`
`the
`
`goggles
`
`were
`
`not
`
`readily
`
`available.
`
`They
`
`had
`
`been
`
`put
`
`away
`
`previously.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`does
`
`not
`
`believe
`
`that
`
`he
`
`worked
`
`with
`
`a
`
`"Crescent
`
`wire
`
`cutter"
`
`prior
`
`to
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`the
`
`incident.
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`asked
`
`for
`
`a
`
`further
`
`description
`
`of
`
`his
`
`accident
`
`and
`
`testified
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`as
`Well,
`was
`cleaning
`last
`the
`nail
`poking
`previously
`finished
`that
`
`nail
`you
`
`I
`
`of
`
`it
`and
`
`tools,
`
`was
`I
`
`the
`
`the
`
`said,
`
`up
`my
`through
`nailed
`the
`
`for
`just
`
`I
`
`towards
`climbed
`up
`noticed
`and
`from
`floor
`cove
`molding
`decided
`I
`would
`
`the
`a
`
`end
`ladder
`that
`where
`on.
`
`that
`accidently
`And
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`a
`
`of
`
`the
`
`day,
`gather
`
`to
`there
`had
`before
`
`I
`
`So,
`should
`
`was
`
`I
`
`it
`
`snip
`on
`
`I
`
`know,
`
`which
`
`that.
`
`put
`
`day,
`so
`nobody
`anything
`were
`I
`both
`
`and
`
`saw
`
`with
`on
`obviously,
`possibility
`reached
`I
`nail---
`the
`I'm
`
`of
`glasses
`was
`
`ladder
`me
`
`a
`
`So,
`
`over
`
`or,
`the
`
`snips,
`the
`
`cut.
`
`up
`front
`have
`there
`was
`cupped
`both
`eye
`my
`as
`and
`little
`happened.
`had
`had
`ladder
`maybe
`it.
`
`hands,
`level
`hands
`soon
`felt
`
`broken,
`just
`
`with
`and
`
`as
`
`hit
`
`looking
`had
`
`it
`
`and,
`but
`the
`like
`this,
`reaching
`actually
`standing
`second-floor
`the
`squeezed
`the
`I
`squeezed
`I
`something
`disoriented
`Looking
`but
`me
`
`on
`landing.
`of
`kind
`
`the
`
`of
`
`handle
`I
`just
`the
`didn't
`
`in
`
`I
`
`them,
`me
`hit
`because
`the
`
`at
`
`at
`in
`for
`fallen
`
`that
`the
`the
`on
`
`pliers,
`point,
`eye,
`broken
`the
`
`I
`
`and
`
`I
`
`piece,
`ground,
`
`eye,
`
`I
`
`and
`realize
`realized
`
`believed,
`climbed
`thinking
`I
`
`and
`
`like
`not
`
`away
`
`yet,
`
`and
`you
`did
`
`I
`nail
`
`the
`hands
`
`nail
`
`of
`out
`I'm
`
`step
`picked
`and
`reached
`
`I
`
`I
`
`know,
`anticipate
`projecting
`I
`put
`out
`with
`ladder
`the
`
`up
`climbed
`out
`didn't
`
`that
`once
`--
`
`I
`
`my
`
`in
`
`it
`
`I
`
`So,
`pliers,
`felt
`was
`what
`that
`that
`down
`
`I
`
`about
`cupped
`and
`
`pop
`
`a
`a
`
`they
`they
`the
`that
`
`couldn't
`
`find
`
`The
`
`plaintiff
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`did
`
`not
`
`break
`
`rather
`
`it
`
`was
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`(blade)
`
`that
`
`entered
`
`into
`
`his
`
`eye.
`
`13
`
`13 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`On May
`
`1,
`
`2019
`
`Alan
`
`Anderson
`
`appeared
`
`as
`
`a
`
`deposition
`
`witness
`
`on
`
`behalf
`
`of
`
`the
`
`defendants.
`
`See
`
`Exhibit
`
`F
`
`incorporated
`
`by
`
`reference.
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`indicated
`
`that
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`his
`
`deposition
`
`he
`
`was
`
`working
`
`part
`
`time
`
`Group,
`
`LLC.
`
`a
`
`defendant
`
`in
`
`this
`
`case.
`
`He
`
`worked
`
`for
`
`for
`
`Apex
`
`Tool
`
`Apex
`
`for
`
`full-time.
`
`timeframe
`
`there
`
`many
`
`years
`
`During
`
`this
`
`were
`
`name
`
`changes
`
`to
`
`the
`
`company.
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`first
`
`started
`
`working
`
`an
`
`Apex
`
`related
`
`company
`
`in
`
`1969
`
`when
`
`the
`
`company
`
`was
`
`known
`
`with
`
`by
`
`Cooper
`
`Tools
`
`specifically
`
`it
`
`was
`
`referenced
`
`as
`
`Crescent
`
`Niagara.
`
`During
`
`the
`
`years
`
`the
`
`witness
`
`became
`
`a
`
`tool
`
`designer
`
`and
`
`a
`
`product
`
`development
`
`engineer.
`
`He
`
`then
`
`became
`
`a
`
`supervisor
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`and
`
`tool
`
`engineering
`
`division
`
`until
`
`Apex
`
`relocated
`
`in
`
`in
`
`June
`
`of
`
`2006.
`
`He
`
`then
`
`became
`
`a
`
`product
`
`development
`
`engineer
`
`the
`
`Apex
`
`office.
`
`Apex
`
`Tool
`
`Group
`
`came
`
`into
`
`being
`
`as
`
`a
`
`joint
`
`venture,
`
`between
`
`Danaher
`
`Tools
`
`and
`
`Cooper
`
`Tools
`
`in
`
`June
`
`of
`
`2010.
`
`When
`
`Apex
`
`was
`
`formed,
`
`he
`
`was
`
`in
`
`the
`
`new
`
`product
`
`development
`
`program
`
`worked
`
`and
`
`with
`
`marketing,
`
`and
`
`developing
`
`new
`
`products.
`
`He
`
`also
`
`helped
`
`offshore
`
`manufacturers
`
`develop
`
`products.
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`was
`
`aware
`
`that
`
`the
`
`lawsuit
`
`involved
`
`the
`
`use
`
`of
`
`a Crescent
`
`branded
`
`tool.
`
`He
`
`described
`
`the
`
`product
`
`in
`
`question
`
`as
`
`four-and-a-half-inch
`
`diagonal
`
`cutting
`
`pliers
`
`(16).
`
`Exhibit
`
`P
`
`is
`
`an
`
`exemplar.
`
`He
`
`described
`
`it
`
`as
`
`diagonal
`
`pliers
`
`and
`
`a
`
`small
`
`long
`
`14
`
`14 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`nosed
`
`pliers
`
`used
`
`for
`
`"electronic
`
`work".
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`the
`
`exemplar
`
`product
`
`was
`
`in
`
`its
`
`original
`
`packaging.
`
`The
`
`two
`
`products
`
`are
`
`sold
`
`together
`
`(16-17).
`
`The
`
`product
`
`was
`
`branded
`
`as
`
`a
`
`Crescent
`
`product.
`
`A receipt
`
`for
`
`purchase
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`was
`
`shown
`
`to
`
`the
`
`witness
`
`and
`
`it
`
`was
`
`purchased
`
`through
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`product
`
`manufactured
`
`Depot.
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`surmises
`
`that
`
`the
`
`was
`
`from
`
`a
`
`company
`
`offshore.
`
`The
`
`cutting
`
`Plyers
`
`was
`
`sold
`
`under
`
`multiple
`
`brand
`
`names
`
`including
`
`Xcelite
`
`(19).
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`confirmed
`
`that
`
`in
`
`2016
`
`there
`
`could
`
`have
`
`been
`
`products
`
`which
`
`were
`
`physically
`
`identical
`
`yet
`
`branded
`
`differently.
`
`The
`
`manufacturer
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`is
`
`identified
`
`as
`
`Jiangsu,
`
`J-I-A-N-G-S-U,
`
`Hongbao,
`
`H-O-N-G-B-A-0,
`
`Hardware
`
`Co.,
`
`LTD
`
`(20).
`
`They
`
`were
`
`manufactured
`
`in
`
`Jiangsu,
`
`China.
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`believed
`
`that
`
`upon
`
`manufacturing
`
`in
`
`China,
`
`they
`
`were
`
`taken
`
`to
`
`the
`
`APEX
`
`distribution
`
`center,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`product
`
`was
`
`then
`
`distributed
`
`to
`
`Home
`
`Depot's
`
`distribution
`
`center,
`
`and
`
`ended
`
`up
`
`in
`
`the
`
`store
`
`in
`
`Leeds
`
`New
`
`York.
`
`The
`
`product
`
`went
`
`from
`
`the
`
`Apex
`
`distribution
`
`center
`
`the
`
`Depot
`
`distribution
`
`center.
`
`to
`
`Home
`
`The
`
`side
`
`cutting
`
`pliers
`
`went
`
`through
`
`the
`
`same
`
`manufacturing
`
`and
`
`shipping
`
`process
`
`based
`
`upon
`
`an
`
`order
`
`from
`
`Apex.
`
`There
`
`were
`
`Crescent
`
`branded
`
`tools
`
`in
`
`retail
`
`locations
`
`other
`
`than
`
`at
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`(26).
`
`Apex
`
`shipped
`
`the
`
`product
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot.
`
`This
`
`specific
`
`product
`
`was
`
`exclusive
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot.
`
`Other
`
`15
`
`15 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`similar
`
`products
`
`including
`
`pliers
`
`and
`
`cutting
`
`pliers
`
`are
`
`sold
`
`through
`
`other
`
`channels
`
`but
`
`this
`
`specific
`
`product
`
`was
`
`exclusive
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`(29).
`
`The
`
`other
`
`similar
`
`products
`
`were
`
`sold
`
`to
`
`other
`
`distributors
`
`who
`
`in
`
`turn
`
`sold
`
`them
`
`to
`
`other
`
`consumers.
`
`specific
`
`product
`
`was
`
`sold
`
`under
`
`different
`
`brand
`
`names
`
`This
`
`to
`
`distributors
`
`other
`
`than
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot.
`
`See
`
`page
`
`31.
`
`At
`
`page
`
`31
`
`and
`
`32
`
`the
`
`following
`
`testimony
`
`was
`
`given:
`
`Q.
`
`What
`
`other
`
`brands
`
`was
`
`that
`
`type
`
`of
`
`side
`
`cutting
`
`pliers
`
`sold
`
`under
`
`other
`
`than
`
`the
`
`Crescent
`
`that
`
`we're
`
`looking
`
`at
`
`today?
`
`A.
`
`Xcelite.
`
`And
`
`Xcelite
`
`pliers
`
`would
`
`have
`
`been
`
`Q.
`
`those
`
`mechanically
`
`identical
`
`to
`
`the
`
`pliers
`
`involved
`
`in
`
`this
`
`case,
`
`but
`
`would
`
`have
`
`had
`
`different
`
`colored
`
`grips
`
`and
`
`different
`
`branding?
`
`A.
`
`Q.
`
`Correct.
`
`Were
`
`those
`
`other
`
`pliers
`
`also
`
`only
`
`sold
`
`as
`
`part
`
`of
`
`a
`
`two-pliers
`
`set
`
`or
`
`were
`
`they
`
`sold
`
`individually?
`
`A.
`
`To
`
`the
`
`best
`
`of
`
`knowledge,
`
`they
`
`were
`
`sold
`
`individually
`
`and
`
`in
`
`sets.
`
`my
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`added
`
`that
`
`Xcelite
`
`is
`
`an
`
`electronics
`
`brand
`
`product
`
`brand
`
`name,
`
`sold
`
`in
`
`electronics
`
`type
`
`channels,
`
`and
`
`there
`
`are
`
`a
`
`variety
`
`of
`
`them.
`
`He
`
`could
`
`not
`
`speak
`
`to
`
`all
`
`of
`
`them,
`
`and
`
`could
`
`not
`
`even
`
`venture
`
`a
`
`guess,
`
`but
`
`there's
`
`a
`
`variety
`
`of
`
`16
`
`16 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`electronic
`
`distribution
`
`channels
`
`that
`
`they're
`
`available
`
`through.
`
`Additional
`
`guestions
`
`were
`
`asked
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`Q.
`
`Did
`
`Apex,
`
`in
`
`2016,
`
`have
`
`any
`
`distribution
`
`channels
`
`for
`
`hand
`
`tools
`
`through
`
`other
`
`distribution
`
`retail
`
`tool
`
`locations,
`
`such
`
`as
`
`hardware
`
`store
`
`chains,
`
`anything
`
`like
`
`that?
`
`MR.
`
`RESILA:
`
`Objection.
`
`You
`
`can
`
`answer.
`
`A.
`
`To
`
`the
`
`best
`
`of
`
`my
`
`knowledge,
`
`I
`
`would
`
`say
`
`yes,
`
`but
`
`can't
`
`give
`
`you
`
`specifics.
`
`At
`
`page
`
`46
`
`the
`
`following
`
`guestion
`
`and
`
`answer
`
`were
`
`given:
`
`What
`
`was
`
`its
`
`intended
`
`use?
`
`Q.
`
`A.
`
`Intended
`
`use
`
`is
`
`cut
`
`soft
`
`materials
`
`associated
`
`with
`
`to
`
`--
`
`the
`
`"electronic
`
`industry"
`
`47
`
`as
`
`follows:
`
`Also
`
`see
`
`page
`
`Q.
`
`What
`
`were
`
`the
`
`size
`
`--
`
`what
`
`was
`
`the
`
`size
`
`limit
`
`in
`
`terms
`
`of
`
`material
`
`cutting?
`
`A.
`
`I'll
`
`read
`
`directly
`
`from
`
`page
`
`6
`
`under
`
`steel,
`
`under
`
`cut
`
`test,
`
`steel
`
`wire
`
`cut
`
`test:
`
`The
`
`cutters
`
`shall
`
`then
`
`cut
`
`uncoated
`
`single
`
`strand
`
`0.034-inch
`
`diameter
`
`steel
`
`wire
`
`of
`
`63,000
`
`to
`
`70,000
`
`PSI
`
`tensile
`
`strength
`
`with
`
`a maximum
`
`of
`
`50-inch
`
`pounds
`
`without
`
`deformation
`
`of
`
`the
`
`cutting
`
`edge
`
`at
`
`the
`
`midpoint
`
`of
`
`the
`
`edge
`
`length.
`
`For
`
`soft
`
`steel
`
`--
`
`well,
`
`interpretation
`
`is
`
`that
`
`63,000
`
`to
`
`77,000
`
`PSI,
`
`it's
`
`a Rockwell
`
`HR
`
`HB
`
`scale
`
`of
`
`79,
`
`which
`
`is
`
`soft,
`
`17
`
`17 of 23
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 15
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`and
`
`in
`
`a
`
`soft
`
`wire
`
`cut
`
`test
`
`the
`
`cutter
`
`shall
`
`clean
`
`cut
`
`0.017
`
`inch
`
`diameter
`
`soft
`
`copper
`
`wire
`
`within
`
`the
`
`first
`
`eighth
`
`of
`
`an
`
`inch
`
`of
`
`length
`
`of
`
`the
`
`cutting
`
`edge
`
`from
`
`the
`
`tip.
`
`They
`
`shall
`
`also
`
`cut
`
`0.025-inch
`
`diameter
`
`soft
`
`copper
`
`wire
`
`the
`
`full
`
`length
`
`of
`
`the
`
`inch
`
`of
`
`the
`
`heel
`
`of
`
`the
`
`and
`
`cutting
`
`edge
`
`(to
`
`within
`
`.031
`
`edge),
`
`shall
`
`leave
`
`no
`
`more
`
`than
`
`0.008-inch
`
`spike
`
`on
`
`the
`
`cut
`
`wire.
`
`Cutting
`
`edges
`
`shall
`
`meet
`
`uniformly
`
`and
`
`perfectly
`
`at
`
`the
`
`tip.
`
`No
`
`mismatch
`
`permitted.
`
`This
`
`labelling
`
`was
`
`not
`
`contained
`
`in
`
`any
`
`warning
`
`or
`
`specification
`
`available
`
`to
`
`the
`
`consumer.
`
`At
`
`pages
`
`48
`
`through
`
`50
`
`the
`
`witness
`
`was
`
`asked
`
`about
`
`the
`
`give
`
`specific
`
`responses.
`
`testing
`
`protocol.
`
`He
`
`was
`
`unable
`
`to
`
`Anderson
`
`indicated
`
`that
`
`he
`
`was
`
`in
`
`engineering
`
`not
`
`manufacturing.
`
`We
`
`also
`
`draw
`
`the
`
`Court's
`
`attention
`
`to
`
`page
`
`50.
`
`The
`
`witness
`
`did
`
`not
`
`know
`
`who
`
`was
`
`involved
`
`in
`
`the
`
`manufacturing
`
`of
`
`the
`
`packaging.
`
`The
`
`items
`
`were
`
`packaged
`
`in
`
`China
`
`(51).
`
`There
`
`was
`
`a warning
`
`on
`
`the
`
`package
`
`dealing
`
`with
`
`the
`
`installation
`
`of
`
`handles.
`
`follows:
`
`As
`
`to
`
`the
`
`safety
`
`glass
`
`warning
`
`see
`
`page
`
`57-59
`
`as
`
`Q.
`
`First
`
`of
`
`all,
`
`can
`
`you
`
`tell
`
`me,
`
`what
`
`is
`
`that
`
`little
`
`triangular
`
`symbol?
`
`A.
`
`We
`
`call
`
`it
`
`a
`
`safety
`
`warning
`
`symbol
`
`and
`
`the
`
`representation
`
`of
`
`the
`
`symbol
`
`in
`
`the
`
`middle
`
`of
`
`the
`
`triangle
`
`or
`
`inside
`
`the
`
`triangle,
`
`we
`
`refer
`
`to
`
`him
`
`as
`
`Goggle
`
`Guy.
`
`18
`
`18 of 23
`
`