hiddenprecedent1

From the very start of our legal procedings (i.e., from the settlement conference on... ), there had been what I called "hidden players" and/or parties in my opinion, who, although NOT NAMED as defendants, in my opinion, were interjecting themselves into a case in which they were NOT named parties!!!

One such "hidden player" in the "court procedings" was Alpine Systems.

Alpine Systems, a Division of IL Tool Works, had, in my opinion, a tremendous interest in the outcome of my little "Small Claims Court Trial". Why?

1) The truss engineering software of Alpine Systems was found in 550+ truss manufacturing facilities in North America.

2) This same software was used by truss sales reps (non-engineers) who were, in my opinion, given access levels they should not have (making them, in my opinion, "pseudo-engineers" completing the FIRST STEP in the truss design process - the CRITICAL TRUSS PLACEMENT GUIDE - along with other truss documentation which then went to an engineer, supposedly for review, and for the affixing of the engineer's seal.

3) The law, however, did NOT require the truss placement guide be sealed by an engineer... and so... this critical FIRST STEP in the truss design process (per Alpine System's own "Builders Guide To Trusses" free online documentation) was NEVER reviewed and/or sealed by an engineer - in spite of being the FIRST STEP in the truss design process! It had been a truss sales rep - basically a guy in the lumber yard - using Alpine Systems' truss engineering software that had designed the truss placement guide - and that - in our opinion - did not appear to be "the exception to the rule" but rather STANDARD INDUSTRY PRACTICE!!!