`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`EXPERT AFFIDAVIT
`
`Marilyn Farrell, County Clerk
`
`EF2018-8
`12/16/2022 03:34:45 PM
`
`Clerk: LAR
`
`Expert
`Af
`fidavit
`
`1 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`Our
`
`File:
`
`115409-01
`
`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
`
`-------------------------------------x
`
`Defendants.
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW JERSEY:
`
`COUNTY
`
`OF
`
`BERGEN
`
`ss:
`
`:
`:
`
`AFFIDAVIT
`
`Index
`
`No.:
`
`18-0008
`
`Neal
`
`A.
`
`Growney,
`
`P.E.
`
`being
`
`duly
`
`sworn,
`
`deposes
`
`and
`
`says:
`
`I
`
`have
`
`been
`
`retained
`
`by
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`to
`
`provide
`
`expert
`
`analysis
`
`concerning
`
`an
`
`accident
`
`involving
`
`Thomas
`
`Alfeld.
`
`I maintain
`
`an
`
`office
`
`at
`
`265
`
`Steves
`
`Lane
`
`Franklin
`
`Lakes,
`
`NJ
`
`07417.
`
`which
`
`I
`
`authored
`
`a
`
`report
`
`dated
`
`January
`
`29,
`
`2020,
`
`a
`
`copy
`
`of
`
`is
`
`annexed
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`A.
`
`This
`
`report
`
`should
`
`be
`
`considered
`
`by
`
`this
`
`Court
`
`along
`
`with
`
`the
`
`contents
`
`of
`
`this
`
`affidavit.
`
`The
`
`opinions
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in
`
`my
`
`report
`
`and
`
`in
`
`this
`
`affidavit
`
`are
`
`rendered
`
`within
`
`a
`
`reasonable
`
`degree
`
`of
`
`scientific
`
`and
`
`mechanical
`
`engineering
`
`certainty.
`
`My
`
`curriculum
`
`vitae
`
`is
`
`annexed
`
`as
`
`Exhibit
`
`B.
`
`As
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in
`
`my
`
`report,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`my
`
`opinion
`
`within
`
`a
`
`2 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`reasonable
`
`degree
`
`of
`
`scientific
`
`and
`
`mechanical
`
`engineering
`
`certainty
`
`that
`
`the
`
`defendants
`
`created
`
`and
`
`marketed
`
`a
`
`product
`
`containing
`
`a manufacturing
`
`defect
`
`which
`
`was
`
`the
`
`proximate
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`Thomas
`
`Alfeld's
`
`incident
`
`and
`
`resulting
`
`injuries.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`also
`
`my
`
`opinion
`
`within
`
`a
`
`reasonable
`
`degree
`
`of
`
`mechanical
`
`engineering
`
`certainty
`
`that
`
`the
`
`defendant
`
`failed
`
`to
`
`properly
`
`warn
`
`potential
`
`consumers
`
`those
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`including
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`concerning
`
`the
`
`risks
`
`dangers
`
`associated
`
`with
`
`the
`
`foreseeable
`
`uses
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`and
`
`in
`
`including
`
`frequenting
`
`question.
`
`In
`
`subsection
`
`2
`
`of
`
`my
`
`report
`
`I
`
`detailed
`
`the
`
`information
`
`that
`
`I
`
`reviewed
`
`in
`
`analyzing
`
`this
`
`case.
`
`By
`
`history,
`
`this
`
`incident
`
`occurred
`
`on
`
`January
`
`9,
`
`2017
`
`at
`
`4:00
`
`p.m.
`
`On
`
`that
`
`plaintiff
`
`Thomas
`
`approximately
`
`was
`
`working
`
`day
`
`the
`
`Alfeld
`
`on
`
`an
`
`interior
`
`staircase
`
`at
`
`144
`
`Crystal
`
`Point
`
`Road
`
`in
`
`Cairo,
`
`New
`
`York.
`
`As
`
`a
`
`result
`
`of
`
`this
`
`incident
`
`Mr.
`
`Alfeld
`
`sustained
`
`serious
`
`injuries
`
`to
`
`his
`
`left
`
`eye.
`
`At
`
`the
`
`end
`
`of
`
`the
`
`day
`
`on
`
`January
`
`9,
`
`2017,
`
`Mr.
`
`Alfeld
`
`began
`
`cleaning
`
`the
`
`jobsite.
`
`He
`
`observed
`
`a
`
`pin
`
`nail
`
`through
`
`up
`
`poking
`
`the
`
`floor
`
`above
`
`an
`
`area
`
`where
`
`he
`
`had
`
`previously
`
`nailed
`
`cove
`
`molding.
`
`Mr.
`
`Alfeld
`
`was
`
`at
`
`approximately
`
`eye
`
`level
`
`with
`
`the
`
`second-floor
`
`landing.
`
`He
`
`reached
`
`forward
`
`with
`
`both
`
`arms
`
`at
`
`shoulder
`
`height.
`
`Mr.
`
`Alfeld
`
`had
`
`the
`
`cutter
`
`pliers
`
`which
`
`are
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`of
`
`this
`
`litigation
`
`in
`
`his
`
`right
`
`hand.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`this
`
`2
`
`3 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`product
`
`which
`
`I
`
`opine
`
`was
`
`defective
`
`from
`
`a manufacturing
`
`point
`
`of
`
`view.
`
`Also,
`
`the
`
`product
`
`conveyed
`
`improper
`
`warnings.
`
`The
`
`palm
`
`of
`
`his
`
`right
`
`hand
`
`faced
`
`downward
`
`and
`
`the
`
`cutter
`
`plier
`
`jaws/blades
`
`pointed
`
`to
`
`the
`
`left.
`
`Alfeld's
`
`left
`
`hand
`
`was
`
`cupped
`
`and
`
`hovering
`
`just
`
`above
`
`the
`
`cutter
`
`pliers,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`cut.
`
`He
`
`squeezed
`
`the
`
`plier
`
`handle
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`he
`
`was
`
`attempting
`
`to
`
`off
`
`the
`
`protruding
`
`nail.
`
`He
`
`immediately
`
`felt
`
`something
`
`pop
`
`and
`
`something
`
`protrude
`
`into
`
`his
`
`left
`
`eye.
`
`One
`
`of
`
`the
`
`cutter
`
`plier
`
`jaws/blades
`
`had
`
`broken
`
`off
`
`of
`
`the
`
`product
`
`and
`
`the
`
`broken
`
`piece
`
`flew
`
`into
`
`his
`
`left
`
`eye.
`
`Liquid
`
`immediately
`
`leaked
`
`out
`
`of
`
`Alfeld's
`
`left
`
`eye.
`
`He
`
`was
`
`caused
`
`to
`
`have
`
`his
`
`left
`
`eye
`
`removed.
`
`cutter
`
`The
`
`pliers
`
`involved
`
`in
`
`this
`
`incident
`
`was
`
`a Crescent
`
`Low
`
`Profile
`
`Flush
`
`Cut"
`
`4"
`
`102
`
`mm,
`
`diagonal
`
`cutter,
`
`miniature
`
`wire
`
`cutter.
`
`My
`
`discussion
`
`of
`
`the
`
`events
`
`commence
`
`at
`
`paragraph
`
`5.0
`
`al.
`
`of
`
`my
`
`report.
`
`My
`
`opinions
`
`are
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`at
`
`6.0
`
`et
`
`al.
`
`et
`
`in
`
`my
`
`report.
`
`Specifically,
`
`I
`
`opine
`
`that
`
`6.1
`
`The
`
`incident
`
`Crescent
`
`cutter
`
`pliers
`
`contained
`
`a
`
`that
`
`caused
`
`manufacturing
`
`defect
`
`its
`
`cutting
`
`jaw
`
`to
`
`break.
`
`6.2
`
`Had
`
`this
`
`Crescent
`
`cutter
`
`pliers
`
`not
`
`its
`
`been
`
`jaw
`
`would
`
`have
`
`defectively
`
`manufactured,
`
`it
`
`broken
`
`when
`
`Alfeld
`
`attempted
`
`is
`
`to
`
`unlikely
`
`that
`
`cut
`
`a
`
`23
`
`AWG pin
`
`nail
`
`with
`
`it,
`
`the
`
`Mr.
`
`broken
`
`jaw
`
`would
`
`not
`
`have
`
`been
`
`ejected,
`
`struck
`
`and
`
`injured
`
`Alfeld's
`
`eye.
`
`Hand-held,
`
`metal-cutting
`
`blade
`
`tools
`
`have
`
`been
`
`3
`
`4 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`successfully
`
`cutting
`
`pliers'
`
`manufactured
`
`for
`
`decades
`
`prior
`
`to
`
`this
`
`Crescent
`
`blade
`
`breaking.
`
`I
`
`am
`
`familiar
`
`with
`
`and
`
`experienced
`
`in
`
`the
`
`methods,
`
`processes
`
`and
`
`materials
`
`utilized
`
`is
`
`such
`
`metal-cutting
`
`blade
`
`tools
`
`manufacture.
`
`Defects
`
`in
`
`such
`
`products
`
`can
`
`be
`
`due
`
`to
`
`any
`
`deviation
`
`in
`
`the
`
`grade
`
`of
`
`material,
`
`the
`
`of
`
`material
`
`improper
`
`quality
`
`material,
`
`contamination,
`
`grinding,
`
`finishing,
`
`improper
`
`heat
`
`treatment,
`
`such
`
`as
`
`the
`
`wrong
`
`heating
`
`temperature,
`
`the
`
`wrong
`
`heating
`
`medium,
`
`the
`
`rate
`
`of
`
`quench,
`
`quenching
`
`medium,
`
`and
`
`tempering
`
`process,
`
`either
`
`individually
`
`or
`
`in
`
`combination.
`
`This
`
`description
`
`is
`
`more
`
`in
`
`depth
`
`than
`
`my
`
`report
`
`Section
`
`6.2.
`
`6.3
`
`A substantial
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`Alfeld's
`
`injury
`
`was
`
`the
`
`manufactured
`
`incident
`
`defectively
`
`Crescent
`
`cutter
`
`pliers.
`
`6.4
`
`The
`
`design
`
`is
`
`defective
`
`as
`
`it
`
`fails
`
`of
`
`to
`
`the
`
`incident
`
`Crescent
`
`cutter
`
`pliers
`
`adequately
`
`warn
`
`of
`
`the
`
`dangerous
`
`hazards
`
`associated
`
`with
`
`its
`
`use.
`
`6.5
`
`Apex's
`
`failure
`
`to
`
`adequately
`
`warn
`
`of
`
`the
`
`dangerous
`
`hazards
`
`associated
`
`with
`
`this
`
`Crescent
`
`cutter
`
`pliers
`
`use
`
`was
`
`a
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`Alfeld's
`
`injuries.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`acknowledged
`
`that
`
`the
`
`plaintiff
`
`was
`
`not
`
`wearing
`
`safety
`
`goggles
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`the
`
`accident.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`understood
`
`that
`
`this
`
`was
`
`required
`
`by
`
`the
`
`product
`
`warnings.
`
`However,
`
`does
`
`not
`
`eliminate
`
`the
`
`fact
`
`that
`
`the
`
`product
`
`was
`
`defective
`
`this
`
`for
`
`the
`
`reasons
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`above
`
`and
`
`that
`
`the
`
`warnings
`
`were
`
`4
`
`5 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`insufficient.
`
`The
`
`failure
`
`to
`
`use
`
`safety
`
`googles
`
`was
`
`not
`
`a
`
`supervening
`
`cause
`
`of
`
`this
`
`incident.
`
`I
`
`reviewed
`
`the
`
`defendant's
`
`motion
`
`for
`
`summary
`
`judgement
`
`and
`
`disagree
`
`with
`
`certain
`
`opinions
`
`rendered
`
`by
`
`their
`
`witness
`
`and
`
`expert.
`
`above,
`
`All
`
`of
`
`my
`
`disagreements
`
`led
`
`to
`
`the
`
`conclusions
`
`rendered
`
`and
`
`will
`
`be
`
`discussed
`
`in
`
`greater
`
`detail
`
`below.
`
`describes
`
`the
`
`product
`
`In
`
`Mr.
`
`Resila's
`
`memorandum
`
`of
`
`law
`
`he
`
`as
`
`"Crescent
`
`four-and-half-inch
`
`diagonal
`
`micro-shear
`
`cutting
`
`pliers".
`
`In
`
`reality
`
`the
`
`product
`
`is
`
`a
`
`Low
`
`Profile
`
`Flush
`
`Cut"
`
`4"
`
`102
`
`mm,
`
`wire
`
`cutter.
`
`In
`
`paragraph
`
`8
`
`of
`
`his
`
`memorandum
`
`of
`
`law,
`
`counsel
`
`argues
`
`that
`
`the
`
`product
`
`was
`
`reasonably
`
`safe
`
`as
`
`marketed.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`submitted,
`
`that
`
`its
`
`market
`
`was
`
`different
`
`from
`
`that
`
`asserted
`
`by
`
`Mr.
`
`Resila.
`
`It
`
`was
`
`not
`
`marketed
`
`solely
`
`through
`
`the
`
`electronic
`
`stream
`
`of
`
`commerce,
`
`as
`
`counsel
`
`would
`
`like
`
`this
`
`Court
`
`to
`
`believe.
`
`It
`
`was
`
`marketed
`
`to
`
`a
`
`larger
`
`segment
`
`of
`
`the
`
`population
`
`through
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot.
`
`We
`
`refer
`
`to
`
`Mr.
`
`Anderson's
`
`deposition.
`
`The
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`caters
`
`to
`
`prospective
`
`customers
`
`including
`
`"do-it-yourself
`
`homeowners"
`
`and
`
`tradesmen
`
`engaged
`
`in
`
`building
`
`trades
`
`such
`
`as
`
`carpenters.
`
`It
`
`cannot
`
`be
`
`assumed
`
`that
`
`these
`
`individuals
`
`would
`
`possess
`
`the
`
`level
`
`of
`
`sophistication
`
`as
`
`that
`
`suggested
`
`by
`
`counsel.
`
`Relative
`
`to
`
`the
`
`failure
`
`to
`
`warn,
`
`Mr.
`
`Anderson
`
`testified
`
`that
`
`this
`
`Low
`
`Profile
`
`Flush
`
`Cut"
`
`4"
`
`102
`
`mm,
`
`wire
`
`cutter
`
`was
`
`not
`
`intended
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`nails.
`
`Despite
`
`this,
`
`Apex,
`
`kept
`
`this
`
`knowledge
`
`5
`
`6 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`to
`
`itself
`
`and
`
`failed
`
`to
`
`warn
`
`consumers
`
`not
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`nails
`
`with
`
`this
`
`device.
`
`Apex
`
`in
`
`fact
`
`identified
`
`this
`
`product
`
`as
`
`"all-
`
`purpose"
`
`on
`
`the
`
`back
`
`of
`
`its
`
`packaging.
`
`See
`
`Exhibit
`
`G to
`
`the
`
`defendant's
`
`moving
`
`papers.
`
`As
`
`Dr.
`
`Roger
`
`N. Wright
`
`acknowledges
`
`at
`
`page
`
`2,
`
`these
`
`clippers
`
`could
`
`be
`
`used
`
`by
`
`some
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`a
`
`steel
`
`nail
`
`pin
`
`smaller
`
`than
`
`20
`
`AWG
`
`(0.026
`
`in.
`
`diameter).
`
`It
`
`is
`
`suggested
`
`in
`
`the
`
`motion
`
`that
`
`the
`
`product
`
`used
`
`by
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`was
`
`not
`
`to
`
`be
`
`used
`
`by
`
`carpenters,
`
`although
`
`it
`
`was
`
`marketed
`
`for
`
`use
`
`by
`
`carpenters
`
`and
`
`"do
`
`it
`
`your-selfers"
`
`by
`
`the
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`and
`
`its
`
`personnel.
`
`It
`
`was
`
`marketed
`
`as
`
`an
`
`all-purpose
`
`cutter.
`
`See
`
`paragraph
`
`of
`
`Anderson
`
`5.8
`
`my
`
`report.
`
`Mr.
`
`testified
`
`these
`
`Crescent
`
`pliers
`
`were
`
`intended
`
`for
`
`electronics
`
`applications
`
`(i.e.,
`
`small
`
`diameter
`
`copper
`
`wire).
`
`Home
`
`Depot
`
`is
`
`a marketer
`
`to
`
`the
`
`constructions
`
`trade,
`
`not
`
`just
`
`to
`
`electronic
`
`(trades).
`
`Apex
`
`knew,
`
`likely
`
`or
`
`should
`
`have
`
`known
`
`that
`
`construction
`
`tradesmen
`
`were
`
`to
`
`purchase
`
`and
`
`utilize
`
`them
`
`in
`
`construction,
`
`such
`
`as
`
`for
`
`cutting
`
`nails.
`
`Apex'
`
`statement
`
`that
`
`these
`
`pliers
`
`are
`
`good
`
`for
`
`soft
`
`wire
`
`up
`
`to
`
`20
`
`AWG is
`
`an
`
`inadequate
`
`warning
`
`as
`
`it
`
`does
`
`not
`
`warn
`
`they
`
`are
`
`not
`
`to
`
`be
`
`utilized
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`nails
`
`or
`
`hard
`
`wire,
`
`or
`
`hard
`
`wire
`
`above
`
`a
`
`certain
`
`gauge.
`
`Apex'
`
`warnings
`
`are
`
`inadequate
`
`as
`
`their
`
`font
`
`is
`
`too
`
`small
`
`to
`
`make
`
`them
`
`sufficiently
`
`conspicuous
`
`to
`
`users,
`
`hence
`
`they
`
`are
`
`6
`
`7 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`easily
`
`overlooked
`
`and/or
`
`do
`
`not
`
`transmit
`
`their
`
`messages
`
`adequately
`
`to
`
`users.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`reasonably
`
`foreseeable
`
`that
`
`at
`
`the
`
`end
`
`of
`
`the
`
`workday
`
`after
`
`cleaning
`
`up
`
`and
`
`putting
`
`his
`
`safe
`
`glasses
`
`away
`
`a
`
`tradesman
`
`such
`
`as
`
`the
`
`plaintiff,
`
`who
`
`observes
`
`a
`
`small
`
`imperfection
`
`in
`
`his
`
`work
`
`would
`
`impulsively
`
`react
`
`to
`
`correct
`
`it
`
`with
`
`a
`
`tool
`
`he
`
`In
`
`such
`
`tradesman
`
`possessed.
`
`scenarios
`
`it
`
`is
`
`foreseeable
`
`that
`
`a
`
`would
`
`not
`
`climb
`
`down
`
`a
`
`ladder,
`
`go
`
`search
`
`for
`
`the
`
`glasses
`
`which
`
`weren't
`
`readily
`
`available,
`
`re-climb
`
`the
`
`ladder
`
`and
`
`then
`
`flush
`
`cut
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`with
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`he
`
`had
`
`on
`
`him,
`
`especially
`
`since
`
`he
`
`had
`
`previously
`
`successfully
`
`corrected
`
`similar
`
`imperfections
`
`with
`
`the
`
`same
`
`tool,
`
`without
`
`incident.
`
`Alfeld's
`
`injury
`
`occurred
`
`after
`
`he
`
`much
`
`cleaned
`
`pretty
`
`hazardous
`
`up,
`
`and
`
`was
`
`ending
`
`his
`
`day.
`
`He
`
`observed
`
`a
`
`defect,
`
`specifically
`
`a
`
`nail
`
`projecting
`
`above
`
`a
`
`floor.
`
`He
`
`spontaneously
`
`cut
`
`it
`
`with
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`he
`
`had
`
`on
`
`his
`
`person.
`
`order
`
`to
`
`don
`
`his
`
`safety
`
`glasses,
`
`he
`
`would
`
`have
`
`had
`
`to
`
`resist
`
`impulse
`
`to
`
`eliminate
`
`the
`
`hazardous
`
`projecting
`
`nail
`
`by
`
`cutting
`
`In
`
`the
`
`it
`
`with
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`in
`
`his
`
`possession,
`
`climb
`
`down
`
`the
`
`ladder,
`
`find
`
`his
`
`safety
`
`glasses
`
`which
`
`had
`
`been
`
`stowed
`
`away,
`
`don
`
`them,
`
`re-climb
`
`the
`
`ladder
`
`and
`
`then
`
`cut
`
`the
`
`nail
`
`with
`
`the
`
`tool
`
`he
`
`always
`
`had
`
`on
`
`his
`
`person.
`
`Safety
`
`glasses
`
`are
`
`an
`
`administrative
`
`safeguard
`
`whose
`
`utilization
`
`opposed
`
`depends
`
`upon
`
`human
`
`beings
`
`ability
`
`to
`
`execute
`
`as
`
`to
`
`engineering
`
`safeguards
`
`that
`
`rely
`
`upon
`
`physical
`
`laws
`
`7
`
`8 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`in
`
`order
`
`to
`
`safeguard.
`
`My
`
`safety
`
`glasses
`
`wearing
`
`experience
`
`includes;
`
`administering
`
`the
`
`safety
`
`glasses
`
`protection
`
`program
`
`for
`
`the
`
`scissor
`
`manufacturer,
`
`J.
`
`Wiss
`
`& Sons.
`
`Humans
`
`beings
`
`are
`
`well
`
`known
`
`to
`
`be
`
`inconsistent.
`
`Even
`
`though
`
`Wiss'
`
`safety
`
`glasses
`
`program
`
`was
`
`an
`
`established
`
`practice,
`
`employees,
`
`even
`
`supervisors,
`
`would
`
`from
`
`time
`
`to
`
`time
`
`forget
`
`to
`
`wear
`
`them.
`
`Non-
`
`glass
`
`wearers
`
`eye
`
`their
`
`and
`
`those
`
`who
`
`had
`
`to
`
`don
`
`safety
`
`glasses
`
`over
`
`own
`
`eye-glasses
`
`tended
`
`to
`
`have
`
`greater
`
`lapses
`
`than
`
`those
`
`wearing
`
`prescription
`
`safety
`
`glasses.
`
`Mr.
`
`Alfeld
`
`used
`
`this
`
`wire
`
`cutter
`
`to
`
`flush
`
`cut,
`
`which
`
`is
`
`a
`
`foreseeable
`
`use.
`
`See
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`testimony
`
`at
`
`page
`
`25.
`
`Nails
`
`are
`
`a wire
`
`product.
`
`There
`
`is
`
`no
`
`industry-standard
`
`for
`
`soft
`
`copper
`
`per
`
`Mr.
`
`Anderson's
`
`wire,
`
`testimony
`
`at
`
`page
`
`77.
`
`Relative
`
`to
`
`the
`
`claim
`
`of
`
`manufacturing
`
`defect,
`
`my
`
`testing
`
`showed
`
`should
`
`that
`
`cut
`
`the
`
`crescent
`
`LOW PROFILE
`
`FLUSH
`
`CUTs
`
`WIRE
`
`CUTTERs
`
`23St
`
`pin
`
`nails
`
`without
`
`breaking
`
`a
`
`blade,
`
`by
`
`calculations
`
`(NAG,
`
`§
`
`5.16)
`
`and
`
`by
`
`actual
`
`cutting
`
`394
`
`23St
`
`pin
`
`nails
`
`with
`
`exemplar
`
`Crescent
`
`LOW PROFILE
`
`FLUSH
`
`CUTs
`
`WIRE
`
`CUTTERs
`
`§
`
`5.17).
`
`These
`
`facts
`
`show
`
`that
`
`(NAG,
`
`the
`
`incident
`
`WIRE
`
`CUTTER
`
`was
`
`substandard
`
`in
`
`its
`
`manufacture.
`
`I
`
`illustrated
`
`in
`
`my
`
`report,
`
`that
`
`these
`
`pliers
`
`are
`
`designed
`
`with
`
`the
`
`ability
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`these
`
`23
`
`ga.
`
`pin
`
`nails
`
`and
`
`I
`
`confirmed
`
`it
`
`by
`
`actually
`
`cutting
`
`394
`
`of
`
`them
`
`without
`
`breaking
`
`any
`
`blades.
`
`My
`
`experiences
`
`in
`
`the
`
`manufacturing
`
`processes
`
`relative
`
`to
`
`cutting
`
`tools
`
`such
`
`as
`
`these
`
`8
`
`9 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`cutting
`
`pliers,
`
`is
`
`illustrated
`
`in
`
`my
`
`curriculum
`
`engaged
`
`in
`
`plant
`
`work.
`
`Hand-held,
`
`metal-cutting
`
`vitae
`
`blade
`
`having
`
`tools
`
`have
`
`been
`
`successfully
`
`manufactured
`
`for
`
`decades
`
`prior
`
`to
`
`this
`
`Crescent
`
`cutting
`
`pliers'
`
`blade
`
`breaking.
`
`I
`
`am familiar
`
`with
`
`and
`
`experienced
`
`in
`
`the
`
`methods,
`
`processes
`
`and
`
`materials
`
`utilized
`
`is
`
`such
`
`metal-cutting
`
`blade
`
`tools
`
`manufacture.
`
`Defects
`
`in
`
`such
`
`products
`
`can
`
`be
`
`due
`
`deviation
`
`to
`
`any
`
`in
`
`the
`
`grade
`
`of
`
`material,
`
`the
`
`quality
`
`of
`
`material,
`
`material
`
`contamination,
`
`improper
`
`grinding,
`
`finishing,
`
`improper
`
`heat
`
`treatment,
`
`such
`
`as
`
`the
`
`wrong
`
`heating
`
`temperature,
`
`the
`
`wrong
`
`heating
`
`medium,
`
`the
`
`rate
`
`of
`
`quench,
`
`quenching
`
`medium,
`
`and
`
`tempering
`
`process,
`
`either
`
`individually
`
`or
`
`in
`
`combination.
`
`Since
`
`these
`
`cutting
`
`pliers'
`
`design
`
`give
`
`them
`
`the
`
`capability
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`these
`
`nails,
`
`then
`
`the
`
`reason
`
`only
`
`why
`
`the
`
`incident
`
`blade
`
`broke
`
`while
`
`cutting
`
`this
`
`23
`
`ga.
`
`pin
`
`nail
`
`is
`
`that
`
`it
`
`was
`
`defectively
`
`manufactured.
`
`It
`
`is
`
`well
`
`known
`
`engineering
`
`hard
`
`wire,
`
`smaller
`
`than
`
`principle
`
`"soft"
`
`that
`
`there
`
`is
`
`some
`
`diameter
`
`20
`
`AWG wire's
`
`that
`
`these
`
`pliers
`
`a
`
`of
`
`will
`
`cut
`
`with
`
`the
`
`same
`
`force
`
`applied
`
`to
`
`them.
`
`I would
`
`have
`
`expected
`
`a
`
`person
`
`with
`
`Dr.
`
`Wright's
`
`background
`
`to
`
`calculate
`
`whether
`
`or
`
`not
`
`these
`
`LOW PROFILE
`
`FLUSH
`
`CUTs
`
`WIRE
`
`CUTTER
`
`should
`
`be
`
`used
`
`to
`
`flush
`
`cut
`
`nails.
`
`This
`
`is
`
`not
`
`a
`
`determination
`
`to
`
`be
`
`made
`
`by
`
`a
`
`carpenter
`
`or
`
`a
`
`user
`
`such
`
`as
`
`the
`
`plaintiff.
`
`Dr.
`
`Wright
`
`opines
`
`that
`
`device
`
`was
`
`not
`
`appropriate
`
`to
`
`cut
`
`a wire
`
`nail
`
`that
`
`is
`
`difficult
`
`to
`
`see.
`
`Mr.
`
`Alfeld
`
`had
`
`no
`
`9
`
`10 of 11
`
`
`
`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 12/16/2022 03:34 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 18
`
`INDEX NO. EF2018-8
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/21/2022
`
`prior
`
`knowledge
`
`of
`
`this
`
`wire
`
`cutter
`
`being
`
`inappropriate
`
`for
`
`this
`
`specific
`
`application.
`
`There
`
`was
`
`no
`
`warning
`
`on
`
`the
`
`product
`
`to
`
`as
`
`cut
`
`hard
`
`wire
`
`nor
`
`any
`
`warning
`
`to
`
`not
`
`cut
`
`nails
`
`with
`
`it,
`
`such,
`
`the
`
`warnings
`
`were
`
`defective.
`
`not
`
`and
`
`Dan
`
`Parrilli,
`
`Home
`
`Depot,
`
`in
`
`his
`
`Affidavit,
`
`states
`
`(p.
`
`4):
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`pliers
`These
`acknowledging
`applied
`
`to
`
`can
`it
`
`"be
`was
`pliers.
`
`the
`
`operated
`known
`
`with
`
`two
`
`that
`
`large
`
`hands",
`forces
`
`can
`
`be
`
`are
`
`"ideal
`
`for
`acknowledging
`construction
`
`heavy
`
`such
`
`duty
`it
`
`as
`
`used
`
`industrial
`known
`carpenters
`
`or
`
`they
`
`to
`
`pliers
`These
`construction
`would
`be
`cut
`nails.
`
`jobs",
`in
`
`was
`by
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`"These
`making
`
`pliers
`no
`
`can
`distinction
`
`tackle
`
`up
`between
`
`to
`
`20
`"soft"
`
`gauge
`or
`
`AWG wires"
`"hard".
`
`these
`Labels
`acknowledging
`
`pliers
`they
`
`as
`are
`
`all-purpose
`good
`for
`
`(pp.
`
`cutting
`
`4),
`
`3,
`nails.
`
`All
`
`Note:
`limitations
`
`purpose
`on
`
`the
`
`means
`use
`
`no
`
`of
`
`limitations.
`this
`device.
`
`There
`
`were
`
`clearly
`
`It
`
`is
`
`respectfully
`
`submitted
`
`that
`
`the
`
`defendant's
`
`motion
`
`be
`
`denied
`
`based
`
`on
`
`this
`
`affidavit,
`
`the
`
`affirmation
`
`of
`
`Lawrence
`
`D.
`
`Lissauer
`
`and
`
`the
`
`accompanying
`
`memorandu
`
`of
`
`law.
`
`Sworn
`
`to,
`
`before
`f
`
`me,
`no
`
`this
`2020.
`
`No
`
`ary
`
`Public
`
`al
`
`A
`
`r
`
`ney,
`
`P.E.
`
`.........
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`SEEMAKHAN
`Notary Public - State of New Jersey
`My Commission Expires Jun 12, 2023
`
`10
`
`11 of 11
`
`