Document gbOzgYZVrNoD1LqbON8ba7pQ
FILE NAME Kubota KUB
DATE 2010
DOC KUB033
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Legal - Defendant Kubota's Responses to Plaintiffs Special Interrogatories
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SERVICE LIST
RHODA EVANS et al v KUBOTA CORPORATION et al
Case No BC418867
Our File No 00495.06997
3
Jeffrey A. Kaiser Esq FF T. Scott Hames Esq
LEVIN SIMES KAISER & GORNICK LLP
5
44 Montgomery Street 36th Floor
San Francisco California 94104
6
ORIGINAL
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
RHODA EVANS and BOBBY EVANS
Tel 415 646-7160 - Fax 415 981-1270
7
K Gates LLP Four Embarcadero Center Suite 1200
8
San Francisco CA 94111
COPY
Attorneys for Crane Co. Individually & as successor to Chapman Valve Co.
Tel 415 882-8200
- Fax 415 882-8220
Corinne Orquiola Esq
LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH LLP
221 North Figueroa Street Suite 1200 Los Angeles CA 90012 COPY
Attorneys for Advocate Mines Limited
Tel 213 250-1800 - Fax 213 580-7942
orquiola@lbbslaw.orquciola@olbbslmaw.com
William J. Sayers Esq Farah S. Nicol Esq Mary McKelvey Esq MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
300 S. Grand Avenue Suite 1400
Los Angeles CA 90071 COPY
Carmen A. Trutanich Esq Pamela L. McFarlane Esq Eskel Solomon Esq 111 North Hope Street Suite 340
P.O. Box 51111
Los Angeles CA 90051
COPY
Attorneys for Certain Corporation
Tel 213 688-1000
- Fax 213 243-6330
mmckelvey@mckennalong.com
Attorneys for Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power
Tel 213 367-4640-4534 367-4640-4534 - Fax 213 367-4588 Maggie Flores - Secretary
Pamela.mcfarlane@ladwp.com Pamela.mcfarlane@ladwp.com Pamela.mcfarlane@ladwp.com
Eskel.solomon@ladwp.com Eskel.solomon@ladwp.com
R. Gregory Amudson Esq Seymour B. Everett Esq WOOD SMITH HENNING & BERMAN 5000 Birch Street Suite 8500 Newport Beach CA 92660
COPY
Associated Counsel for City of Los Angeles Acting by and through the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles
Tel 949 757-4500 - Fax 949 757-4550 gamudson@wshblaw.com
severett@wshblaw.com severett@wshblaw.com
PROOF OF SERVICE
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Thomas C. Corless State Bar No. 100614 Aide C. Ontiveros State Bar No. 169629 WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ
EDELMAN & DICKER LLP
555 S. Flower Street Suite 2900 Los Angeles California 90071 Telephone 213 443-5100 Facsimile 213 443-5101 Attorneys for Defendant
KUBOTA CORPORATION
SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CENTRAL DISTRICT
10
11 RHODA EVANS and BOBBY EVANS
) Unlimited Civil Case
12 13 V.
Plaintiffs
) ) Case No BC 418867 ) Action Filed July 29 2009 ) Judge Conrad R. Aragon Dept. 49
)
14
) DEFENDANT KUBOTA
A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY et al
) CORPORATION'S RESPONSES TO
15
) PLAINTIFFS SPECIAL
Defendants ) INTERROGATORIES
16
)
) Trial Date 3/22/10
17
) Action Filed 7/29/09
.))
18
19 PROPOUNDING PARTY :
20 RESPONDING PARTY
:
Plaintiffs RHODA EVANS and BOBBY EVANS Defendant KUBOTA CORPORATION
21 SET NUMBER
22
:
ONE 1
23
Defendant KUBOTA CORPORATION hereby provides Responses to Plaintiff's Special
24 Interrogatories Propounded to Defendant Kubota Corporation Individually and as Successor
25 interest to Kubota Iron and Machinery Works and Kubota America as follows
35
GENERAL OBJECTIONS
27
Responding Party Defendant KUBOTA CORPORATION contends that many of these
28 interrogatories are objectionable as overly broad unduly burdensome not reasonably calculated
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to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence vague and ambiguous as applied to KUBOTA
2 CORPORATION and inconsistent with the requirements of the California Code of Civil
3 Procedure Accordingly KUBOTA CORPORATION has responded to the discovery as 4 understood Further in attempting to respond KUBOTA CORPORATION is hampered by the 5 passage of time Thus documents witnesses and evidence that may have helped KUBOTA
CORPORATION to more completely respond to this discovery and defend itself in this litigation may no longer be in existence or available These responses are made solely for the
purpose of litigation in Los Angeles County State of California
To the extent applicable and expressly incorporated below the following objections are
10 incorporated in the response to each individual interrogatory
11
a
KUBOTA CORPORATION objects generally to these interrogatories to the
12 extent they request information that is nol within KUBOTA CORPORATION's possession 13 custody or control However KUBOTA CORPORATION has conducted a good faith
14 investigation and reasonable search for information with which to respond to these
15 interrogatories These responses are made on behalf of KUBOTA CORPORATION only with
16 regard to information existing during the time asbestos cement pipe was exported to the United
17 States from 1962 to 1975
18
b
KUBOTA CORPORATION objects generally to these interrogatories to the
19 extent they request information directed towards products topics and issues beyond the
20 KUBOTA CORPORATION products about which plaintiffs make allegations on the grounds
21 that such interrogatories are overly broad unduly burdensome oppressive and request
22 information that is not relevant to the subject matter of this litigation and not reasonably
23 calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence
24
c
KUBOTA CORPORATION objects generally to these interrogatories to the
25 extent they request information protected by the attorney privilege and the attorney
26 product doctrine
27
In responding to this discovery KUBOTA CORPORATION has furnished information
28 that is now available which may include hearsay and other forms of information that are neither
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reliable nor admissible as evidence In conducting its business KUBOTA CORPORATION has
created documents that may have been kept in numerous different locations and may have
3 been moved from site to site As required by law these responses reflect all responsive
4 information identified by KUBOTA CORPORATION pursuant to a diligent search and
reasonable inquiry To the extent that any discovery requires more KUBOTA CORPORATION
objects because the discovery requests KUBOTA CORPORATION to conduct a scarch beyond
7 the scope of permissible discovery contemplated by law and compliance with such requests
would impose an undue burden on KUBOTA CORPORATION
KUBOTA CORPORATION interprets these interrogatorics as requesting information
10 that is not protected by the attorney privilege and the attorney product doctrine
11 KUBOTA CORPORATION provides the information in these responses solely for the purpose
12 of the present litigation KUBOTA CORPORATION expressly reserves all objections to the
13 attempted use of this information beyond the present forum complex asbestos litigation in Los
14 Angeles County
15
KUBOTA CORPORATION's investigation and discovery are ongoing KUBOTA
16 CORPORATION reserves the right to object to future discovery on the same or related matters
17 and does not waive any objection by providing the information reflected in these responses
18 KUBOTA CORPORATION further reserves the right to object to the admissibility of any of
19 these responses in whole or in part at trial in any action on any grounds including but not
20 limited to materiality relevance and privilege
21
Subject to the foregoing General Objections that are included without being individually
22 repeated in each of the following responses KUBOTA CORPORATION responds
23
KUBOTA'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFFS SPECIAL INTERROGATORIES
24
25 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO.1
26
IDENTIFY the June 29 2005 announcement regarding the occurrence of many
27 occupational victims of asbestos as well as the victims asbestos dust from environmental
28 exposure around the Kanzaki plant 3
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RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 1
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals and their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information 5 related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The
6 requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160 Should KUBOTA be ordered to reveal such information said order will force KUBOTA to breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that may be protected by the attorney and attomey work product privileges SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 2
IDENTIFY the approximately 75 former workers of the Kanzaki Plant developed mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to the plant's containing products and have
died as a result of this fatal disease
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 2
16
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals
and their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant
and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information
related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The
requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements
and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160
Should KUBOTA be ordered to reveal such information said order will force KUBOTA to
23 breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that
24 may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges
25 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 3
26
IDENTIFY the familics you have compensated of deceased workers of the Kanzaki Plant
27 who developed mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to the plant's containing
28 products
4
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RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 3
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals and their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant 4 and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information 5 related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The 6 requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements
7 and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160
8 Should KUBOTA be ordered to revcal such information said order will force KUBOTA to 9 breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that
may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 4
Do YOU contend that residents of Amagasaki City Japan did not develop mesothelioma during and after the years the Kanzaki Plant produced containing products as a result of exposure to the Kanzaki Plant's containing products
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 4
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals and their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing inclevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160 Should KUBOTA be ordered to reveal such information said order will force KUBOTA to
breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that
may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 5
If your response to Interrogatory No. 4 is anything other than an unqualified no state 22 all facts supporting YOUR contention
28
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RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 5
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals
and their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant
and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information
related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The
requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160
9a
8
Should KUBOTA be ordered to reveal such information said order will force KUBOTA to
breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that 10 may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges
11 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 6
12
If your response to Interrogatory No. 4 is anything other than an unqualified no
13 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
14 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 6
15
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals
16 and their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant
17 and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information
related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160
Should KUBOTA be ordered to reveal such information said order will force KUBOTA to
breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that
may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 7
If your response to Interrogatory No. 4 is anything other than an unqualified no IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
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RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 7
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals and their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant
and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information
related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160 Should KUBOTA be ordered to reveal such information said order will force KUBOTA to breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 8
IDENTIFY by the quantity the asbestos used at the Kanzaki Plant in the production of asbestos water pipes and building material from 1962 through 1975
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 8
Objection The term building material is vague and ambiguous Otherwise unknown
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 9
IDENTIFY the documentation that you had regarding the HAZARDS ASSOCIATED
WITH ASBESTOS EXPOSURE and ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL from 1962
through 1975
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 9
KUBOTO objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to time and scope and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence
Without waiving said objections KUBOTA responds as follows
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to more completely respond to this interrogatory Shortly before its enactment KUBOTA became aware of a 1960 Japanese Pneumoconiosis Act that addressed pneumoconiosis and asbestosis resulting from long term exposures to asbestos at
1]
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manufacturing facilities but not lung cancer or mesothelioma KUBOTA believes it first learned
2 of asbestos related cancer and mesothelioma hazards shortly before promulgation of the 1975
3 Japanese Ordinance on Prevention of Hazards Caused by Specified Chemical Substances
4 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 10
5
IDENTIFY the precautionary equipment was available to YOU to protect YOUR
6 employees from HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS from 1962
7 through 1975 8 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 10
9
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as it is not reasonably calculated to lead to the
10 discovery of admissible evidence and is vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to the phrase
11 precautionary equipment Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections
12 KUBOTA responds as follows
13
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through
14 standard company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have
15 been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to further respond to this interrogatory but
16 believes it first notified its employees working in its manufacturing plants and factories as to the
17 availability of respiratory protection in 1962
18 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 11
19
Do YOU contend that YOU offered protective respiratory equipment to employees at all
20 of your asbestos cement pipe manufacturing facilities from 1962 through 1975
21 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 11
22
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as it is not reasonably calculated to lead to the
23 discovery of admissible evidence and is vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to the phrase
24 protective respiratory equipment Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections
25 KUBOTA responds as follows
26
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through
27 standard company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have
28 been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable respond to this interrogatory but believes it
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first notified its employees working in its manufacturing plants and factories as to availability of respiratory protection in 1962
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 12
If your response to Interrogatory No. 11 is anything other than an unqualified no state all facts supporting YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 12
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as it is not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence and is vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to the phrase
protective respiratory equipment Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections 10 KUBOTA responds as follows
11
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through
12 standard company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have
13 been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to respond to this interrogatory but believes it
14 first notified its employees working in its manufacturing plants and factories as to the availability
15 of respiratory protection in 1962
16 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 13
17
If your response to Interrogatory No. 1 is anything other than an unqualified no
18 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
19 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 13
20
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as it is not reasonably calculated to lead to the
21 discovery of admissible evidence and is vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to the phrase
22 protective respiratory equipment Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections
23 KUBOTA responds as follows
24
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through
25 standard company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have
26 been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to respond to this interrogatory but believes it
27 first notified its employees working in its manufacturing plants and factories as to the availability
28 of respiratory protection in 1962 o
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SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 14
If your response to Interrogatory No.11 is anything other than an unqualified no 3 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 14
5
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as it is not reasonably calculated to lead to the
6 discovery of admissible evidence and is vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to the phrase
7 protective respiratory equipment Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections
| .
8 KUBOTA responds as follows
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through
10 standard company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have
11 been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to respond to this interrogatory but believes it
12 first notified its employees working in its manufacturing plants and factories as to availability of
13 respiratory protection in 1962
14 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 15
15
Do YOU contend that YOU provided consumers of your produced containing
16 products WARNINGS about the HAZARDS RELATED TO ASBESTOS EXPOSURE with the
17 ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL YOU SOLD at any time from 1962 through 1975
18 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 15
19
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
20 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
21 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
22 responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall
Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos
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depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA So on this basis Yes
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 16
If your response to Interrogatory No. 15 is anything other than an unqualified no state
6 full facts supporting YOUR contention
8 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 16
9
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall
Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos
depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a
cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting
tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an
oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 17
If your response to Interrogatory No. 15 is anything other than an unqualified no IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 17
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
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amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
3 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
4 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
6 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
6 basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a VOSS employce protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 18
If your response to Interrogatory No.15 is anything other than an unqualified no IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 18
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
|
21 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall .
Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting
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tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an
oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA
3 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 19 IDENTIFY any WARNINGS on any packaging or product itself associated with 5 ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL YOU provided to consumers of your produced
5 containing products from 1962 through 1975 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 19 KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks sufficient information to fully respond to this interrogatory Although KUBOTA does not have information that such warnings were issued with its asbestos cement pressure pipe supplied to the U.S. from 1962 to 1975 Plaintiff Bobby Brown would have received relevant warnings from other partics including but not limited to Certainteed JohnsManville and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 20
Do YOU contend that YOU provided WARNINGS about the HAZARDS RELATED TO
ASBESTOS EXPOSURE with the ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL YOU SOLD to
VOSS at any time from 1962 through 1975
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 20
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
13
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amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35
years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe 5 division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record 6 destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks 7 sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot
8 respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters
9 plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a 10 VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool 11 VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The 12 cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral
13 conversation between Voss and KUBOTA Also Plaintiff Bobby Brown would have received 14 relevant warnings from other parties including but not limited to Certainteed Manville
15 and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
16 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 21
17
If your response to Interrogatory No. 20 is anything other than an unqualified no state
18 all facts supporting YOUR contention
19 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 21
20
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
21 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
22 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
23 responds as follows
24
As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35
25 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe 26 division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record 27 destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks 28 sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot
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respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA Also Plaintiff Bobby Brown would have received 7 relevant warnings from other parties including but not limited to Certainteed Manville 8 and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 9 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 22
10
If your response to Interrogatory No. 20 is anything other than an unqualified no
11 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
12 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 22
13
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
14 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
15 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
16 responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
17 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
18 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
19 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
20 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
21 basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall
22 Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos
23 depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a
24 cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting
25 tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an
26 oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA Also Plaintiff Bobby Brown would have
27 received relevant warnings from other parties including but not limited to Certainteed Johns-
28 Manville and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
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SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 23
2
If your response to Interrogatory No. 20 is anything other than an unqualified no
3 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
4 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 23
5
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
6 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
7 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
8 responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
9 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
10 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
11 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
12 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
13 basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall
14 Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos
15 depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a
16 cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting
17 tool The culling tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an
18 oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA
19 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 24
20
Do YOU contend that YOU provided WARNINGS about the HAZARDS RELATED TO
21 ASBESTOS EXPOSURE with the ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL YOU SOLD to the
22 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time from 1962 to 1975
23 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 24
24
Objection KUBOTA objects to this request as it is overly broad in scope unduly
25 burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
26 discovery of admissible evidence as to information related to other containing products
27 besides asbestos pressure pipe This request assumes facts not in evidence that KUBOTA
28 or VOSS sold or supplied any containing material to Los Angeles Department of Water
03/15/2010 17:09 FAX
018/137 018/137
and Power of Los Angeles CA at any time from 1962 to 1975. Without waiving these 2 objections KUBOTA responds as follows
2 Not applicable as there is no evidence that KUBOTA supplied or delivered any asbestos cement pressure pipe to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time from 1962 to
1975
6 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 25
7
If your response to Interrogatory No. 24 is anything other than an unqualified no state
all facts supporting YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 25
10
Not applicable as there is no evidence that KUBOTA supplied or delivered any asbestos
11 cement pressure pipe to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time from 1962 to
12 1975
13 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 26
14
If your response to Interrogatory No. 24 is anything other than an unqualified no
15 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
16 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 26
17
1 LADWP's Production of Documents dated 2/1/10 attached as Exhibit 35 to the
18
Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis III
19
dated 2/4/10
20
2 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis III
21
dated 2/4/10 and 2/5/10 Volumes 1 and 2 with Exhibits
22
3 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Alvaro Sanchez
23
24
dated 2/5/10 and 2/8/10 Volume 1 and 2 with Exhibits
25
4 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Rhoda
26
Lukjaniec dated 2/8/10 with Exhibits
27
5 Deposition Transcript of Albert Groth dated January 28 and 27 2010 and Exhibits
28
G
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:10 17:10 FAX
019/130197/137
and
6 Deposition Transcript of Arthur H. Voss dated 1/31/07 taken in Superior Court
County of San Francisco Case No. 972662 entitled Paul Roach v Abex
Corporation et al which was previously produced as Tab 4.21 in KUBOTA's
production of documents related to the Deposition of KUBOTA's Person Most
Knowledgeable taken on December 12 2007 in the Webber v A.H. Voss litigation
and is already in the possession of plaintiffs counsel
Investigation and discovery are continuing and KUBOTA reserves its rights to amend
10 this response
11 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 27
12
If your response to Interrogatory No. 24 is anything other than an unqualified no
13 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
14 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 27
15
Bobby Evans Albert Groth Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Persons
16 Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis Alvaro Sanchez Rhoda Lukjaniec and Arthur H. Voss
17 Plaintiffs arc in possession of the contact information and address for each of the persons with
18 the exception of Mr. Voss who is deccased
19 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 28
20
Do YOU contend that YOU were unaware of the asbestos fiber release that occurred
21 when ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS YOU manufactured and supplied to VOSS
22 were cut with a power saw at any time from 1962 through 1975
23 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 28
24
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
25 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
26 amounts of dust This interrogatory is also vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to time
27 Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows
28
18
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020/137 020/137
As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35 2 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe 3 division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record 4 destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks 5 sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot
respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters
||
plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a
VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool
VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The 10 cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral 11 conversation between Voss and KUBOTA So on this basis No.
12 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 29
13
If your response to Interrogatory No. 28 is anything other than an unqualified no state
14 all facts supporting YOUR contention
15 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 29
16
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
17 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
18 amounts of dust This interrogatory is also vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to time
19 Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows As
20 KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35 years
21 potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe division of
22 Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record destruction
23 policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks sufficient
24 information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot respond further
25 In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employce Randall Waters plaintiffs counsel
26 received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a VOSS employee
27 protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its
28 employees to wear protective equipment while --singa cutting tool The cutting tool used water
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021/137 021/137
at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral conversation between Voss and
KUBOTA
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 30
4
If your response to Interrogatory No. 28 is anything other than an unqualified no
5 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
6 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 30
7
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
8 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
9 amounts of dust This interrogatory is also vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to time
10 Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows As
11 KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35 years
12 potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe division of
13 Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record destruction
14 policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks sufficient
15 information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot respond further
16 In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters plaintiffs counsel
17 received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a VOSS employee
18 protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its
19 employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The cutting tool used water
20 at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral conversation between Voss and
21 KUBOTA
22 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 31
23
If your response to Interrogatory No. 28 is anything other than an unqualified no
24 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
25 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 31
26
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
27 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
28 amounts of dust This interrogatory is also vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to time
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022/102/137 3022/7137
Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows As
2 KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35 years
3 potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe division of
4 Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record destruction
5 policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks sufficient
5 addition information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot respond further
In
at a deposition of a former VOSS employce Randall Waters plaintiffs counsel
.8 received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a VOSS employee
protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its 10 employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The cutting tool used water 11 at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral conversation between Voss and
12 KUBOTA
13 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 32
14
IDENTIFY the quantity of ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE YOU sold to VOSS from 1962
15 through 1975
16 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 32
17
Unknown As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos coment pipe in 1975 and during the
18 ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos 19 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
20 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
21 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
22 basis cannot respond further
23 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 33
24
Do YOU contend that you did not have an exclusive distribution agreement with VOSS
25 under which VOSS SOLD KUBOTA ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE in California from 1962
26 through 1975
27
28
03/15/2010 17:10 FAX
023/130237/137
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 33
2
KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and demise
of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially responsive
3 documents and evidence have been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to further respond
5 to this interrogatory 6 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 34
If your response to Interrogatory No. 33 is anything other than an unqualified no state
all facts supporting YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 34
10
KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and demise
11 of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially responsive 12 documents and evidence have been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to further respond
13 to this interrogatory
14 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 35
15
If your response to Interrogatory No. 33 is anything other than an unqualified no
16 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
17 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 35
18
. KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and demise
19 of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially responsive 20 documents and evidence have been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to further respond
21 to this interrogatory
22 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 36
|
23
If your response to Interrogatory No. 33 is anything other than an unqualified no
24 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
25 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 36
26
KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and demise
27 of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially responsive
28 ary
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024/137 024/137
documents and evidence have been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to further respond 2 to this interrogatory
3 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 37
4
IDENTIFY the ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE YOU supplied to VOSS from 1962 through
5 1975
6 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 37
7
KUBOTA responds that the subject asbestos cement pipe had the following composition
8
Portland cement silica and asbestos The quantitative percentage of asbestos
approximated 18 The type of asbestos was Crocidolite and Chrysotile Kubota's asbestos
cement pipe met the current standards and specifications of the American Waterworks Association C400-64T and latest revisions thereof Federal Specifications for Asbestos
Pipe 35La American Society for Testing Materials C296-65 Type II and Underwriters
Laboratories Inc. Kubota's asbestos cement pipe was available in the following lengths as
stated in the Kubota brochure that has been previously produced
Pipe Diameter
2 in 3-4 in
Full Length
8t 10 ft
Half Length Quarter Length MOA
4ft
2ft
5 A.
... fl
4-12 in
13 ft
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 38
ft
3 ...ft
Did YOU provide any warnings to VOSS related to YOUR containing pipe
from 1962 through 1975
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 38
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows
As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35
years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe
03/15/2010 17:10 FAX
025/137 025/137
division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record
2 destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks
2 sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot
4 respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters 5 plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a 6 VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool
7 VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The 8 cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral
9 conversation between Voss and KUBOTA So on this basis Yes
10 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 39
11
IDENTIFY the fiber type and quantity of asbestos in the ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE
12 that YOU SOLD TO VOSS from 1962 through 1975
13 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 39
14
KUBOTA responds that the subject cement pipe had the following composition Portland
15 cement silica and asbestos The quantitative percentage of asbestos approximated % The type
16 of asbestos was Crocidolite and Chrysotile
17 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 40
.18
IDENTIFY any KUBOTA ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE with logos including but not
19 limited to Voss on a triangle and Kubota underneath the triangle from 1962 through
20 1975
21 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 40
22
KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and demise
23 of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially responsive
24 documents and evidence have been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to further respond
25 to this interrogatory
26
27
28 *
03/15/2010 17:10 FAX
026/137
1 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 41
2
Do YOU contend that you informed VOSS to wam users of KUBOTA ASBETOS
3 CEMENT PIPE to use RESPIRATORY PROTECTION when working with KUBOTA
4 ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE from 1962 through 1975
5 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 41
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
7 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
8 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA 9 responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos 11 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard 12 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
13 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
14 ||
115 5
basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos
16 depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at
17 cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting
18 tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an
19 oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA So on this basis Yes
20 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 42
21
If your response to Interrogatory No. 41 is anything other than an unqualified no state
22 all facts supporting YOUR contention
23 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 42
24
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
25 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
26 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
27 responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
28 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:11 17:11 FAX
027/137 027/137
cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
2 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
4 basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall
4 Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos
6 depicts a VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a
cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting
4 tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA
10 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 43
11
If your response to Interrogatory No. 41 is anything other than an unqualified no
12 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
13 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 43
14
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
15 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
16 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
17 responds as follows
18
As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35
19 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe 20 division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record 21 destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks
22 sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot
23 respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters 24 plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a 25 VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool 26 VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The 27 cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral
28 conversation between Voss and KUBOTA
26
03/15/2010 17:11 FAX
028/1028/137 30287/137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 44
2
If your response to Interrogatory No. 41 is anything other than an unqualified no
3 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention 4 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 44
5
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
6 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
7 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
& responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
9 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
10 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
11 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
12 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
13 basis cannot respond further other than to identify Arthur H. Voss Randall Waters Robert
14 Arbizo and Bonifacio Lesso
15 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 45
16
Do YOU contend that you informed VOSS to warn users of KUBOTA ASBESTOS
17 CEMENT PIPE to use RESPIRATORY PROTECTION when cutting KUBOTA ASBESTOS
18 CEMENT PIPE from 1962 through 1975
19 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 45
20
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
21 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
22 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
23 responds as follows
24
As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during the ensuing 35
25 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos cement pipe 26 division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard company record 27 destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed KUBOTA lacks
28 sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this basis cannot
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:11 17:11 FAX
029/137 029/137
respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall Waters 2 plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos depicts a 3 VOSS employee protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool 4 VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The
5 cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an oral 6 conversation between Voss and KUBOTA So on this basis Yes
7 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 46
If your response to Interrogatory No. 45 is anything other than an unqualified no state
all facts supporting YOUR contention
10 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 46
11
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
12 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
13 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
14 responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
15 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
16 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
17 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed
18 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
19 basis cannot respond further In addition at a deposition of a former VOSS employee Randall
20 Waters plaintiffs counsel received a copy of a Kubota brochure In it one of the photos
21 depicts a VOSS employce protected by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a
22 cutting tool VOSS required its employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting
23 tool The cutting tool used water at the point of operation The evidence does not preclude an
24 oral conversation between Voss and KUBOTA
25 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 47
26
If your response to Interrogatory No. 45 is anything other than an unqualified no
27 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
28 78
03/15/2010 17:11 FAX
030/1030/137 3030/7137
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 47
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
3 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during 6 the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos
7 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard
8 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed 9 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this
10 basis cannot respond further other than the following
11
KUBOTA has conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry and has previously
12 produced any responsive documents in its possession custody or control that were created prior
13 to December 31 1975 and are related to asbestos pressure pipe The responsive
14 documents were produced as Tabs 1.10 and 1.10 in KUBOTA's production of documents
15 related to the Deposition of KUBOTA's Person Most Knowledgeable taken on December 12
16 2007 in the Webber v A.H. Voss litigation including a Kubota brochure and a photo of a 17 cutting tool One of the photos in the Kubota brochure depicts a VOSS employee protected 18 by goggles gloves and a face mask while working at a cutting tool VOSS required its 19 employees to wear protective equipment while using a cutting tool The cutting tool used water 20 at the point of operation
21 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 48
22
If your response to Interrogatory No. 45 is anything other than an unqualified no
23 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
24 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 48
25
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
26 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
27 amounts of dust Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA
28 responds as follows As KUBOTA ceased the sale of asbestos cement pipe in 1975 and during
DEFENDANT KUBOTAKUBOTA CORPORATION'S CORPORATION'S RESPONSES TO PLAINTIFFS PLAINTIFFS SPECIAL INTERROGATORIES SERT ONE
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:11 17:11 FAX
031/137 031/137
the ensuing 35 years potentially knowledgeable witnesses have left the employ of the asbestos 2 cement pipe division of Kubota Corporation or have become deceased and through standard 3 company record destruction policies potentially responsive documents have been destroyed 4 KUBOTA lacks sufficient information and belief to respond to this interrogatory and on this 5 basis cannot respond further other than to identify Arthur H. Voss Randall Waters Robert
6 Arbizo and Bonifacio Lesso 7 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 49
8
IDENTIFY the printed warnings regarding asbestos dust which were on the bags of any
9 asbestos fiber you were supplied for the production of KUBOTA ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE
10 from 1962 through 1975
11 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 49
12
KUBOTA is not aware of any such warnings
13 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 50
14
IDENTIFY the entities that supplied YOU with the asbestos in you ASBESTOS
15 CEMENT PIPE from 1962 through 1975
16 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 50
17
KUBOTA purchased refined raw asbestos from Manville via Tokyo Kogyi Bocki
18 Shokai Manville's sole agent in Japan among unknown others
19 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 51
20
IDENTIFY by fiber type and quantity the asbestos in your ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE
from 1962 through 1975
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 51
KUBOTA responds that the subject cement pipe had the following composition Portland cement silica and asbestos The quantitative percentage of asbestos approximated % The type of asbestos was Crocidolite and Chrysotile
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 52
Do YOU contend that YOU did not cause Plaintiff to be exposed to asbestos
30
03/15/2010 17:11 FAX
032/137 032/137
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 52
Objection KUBOTA objects to this request as it is overly broad in scope unduly
3 burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
4 discovery of admissible evidence as to information related to other containing products 5 besides asbestos pressure pipe This request assumes facts not in evidence that KUBOTA
6 or VOSS sold or supplied any containing material to Los Angeles Department of Water
7 and Power of Los Angeles CA at any time from 1962 to 1975. Without waiving these
8 objections KUBOTA responds as follows
9
Not applicable as there is no evidence that KUBOTA supplied or delivered any asbestos
10 cement pressure pipe to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time from 1962 to
11 1975
12 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 53
13
If your response to Interrogatory No. 52 is anything other than an unqualified no state
14 all facts supporting YOUR contention
15 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 53
16
Objection KUBOTA objects to this request as it is overly broad in scope unduly
17 burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
18 discovery of admissible evidence as to information related to other containing products
19 besides asbestos pressure pipe This request assumes facts not in evidence that KUBOTA
20 or VOSS sold or supplied any containing material to Los Angeles Department of Water
21 and Power of Los Angeles CA at any time from 1962 to 1975. Without waiving these
22 objections KUBOTA responds as follows
23
Not applicable as there is no evidence that KUBOTA supplied or delivered any asbestos
24 cement pressure pipe to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time from 1962 to
25 1975
26 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 54
27
If your response to Interrogatory No. 52 is anything other than an unqualified no
28 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
03/15/2010 17:11 FAX
Ww) 033/03/13710333/7137
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 54
Objection KUBOTA objects to this request as it is overly broad in scope unduly
burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence as to information related to other containing products 4
5 besides asbestos pressure pipe This request assumes facts not in evidence that KUBOTA
6 or VOSS sold or supplied any containing material to Los Angeles Department of Water
4 and Power of Los Angeles CA at any time from 1962 to 1975. Without waiving these objections KUBOTA responds as follows
9
Not applicable as there is no evidence that KUBOTA supplied or delivered any asbestos
10 cement pressure pipe to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time from 1962 to
11 1975
12 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 55
13
If your response to Interrogatory No. 52 anything other than an unqualified no
14 IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
15 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 55
16
) LADWP's Production of Documents dated 2/1/10 attached as Exhibit 35 to the
17
Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis III dated
18
2/4/10
19
2 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis III
20
dated 2/4/10 and 2/5/10 Volumes 1 and 2 with Exhibits
21
Deposition 22 3
Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Alvaro Sanchez
23
dated 2/5/10 and 2/8/10 Volume 1 and 2 with Exhibits
24
4 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Rhoda Lukjaniec
25
dated 2/8/10 with Exhibits
26
5 Deposition Transcript of Albert Groth dated January 28 and 27 2010 and Exhibits
27
and
28
yy,
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034/137 034/137
6 Deposition Transcript of Arthur H. Voss dated 1/31/07 taken in Superior Court
County of San Francisco Case No. 972662 entitled Paul Roach v Abex Corporation et
al which was previously produced as Tab 4.21 in KUBOTA's production of
4
5 documents related to the Deposition of KUBOTA's Person Most Knowledgeable taken
6
on December 12 2007 in the Webber v A.H. Voss litigation and is already in the
7
possession of plaintiffs counsel
8
Investigation and discovery are continuing and KUBOTA reserves its rights to amend
9
this response
10 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 56
Il Do you contend that Plaintiff Rhoda Evans docs not have asbestos mesothelioma
12 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 56
13
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
14
specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
amounts of dust
Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient information to respond to this interrogatory Investigation and discovery are continuing and KUBOTA reserves its right to amend this response
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 57
If your response to Interrogatory No. 56 is anything other than an unqualified no state dl facts supporting YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 57
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to amounts of dust Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient information to respond to this interrogatory
27
28
2121
03/15/2010 17:12 FAX
Wy 035/137 035/137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 58
If your response to Interrogatory No. 56 is anything other than an unqualified no IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL
NO 58
4 INTERROGATORY KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
6 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
7 amounts of dust Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient
8 information to respond to this interrogatory
9 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 59
If your response to Interrogatory No. 56 is anything other than an unqualified no
IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 59
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to amounts of dust Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient information to respond to this interrogatory
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 60
Do YOU contend that any entity including any bankrupt entity or trust other than those
named in the Complaint are liable for Plaintiffs alleged damages
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 60
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
23
23
amounts of dust Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient
24 information to respond to this interrogatory other than Manville Investigation and
discovery is continuing and KUBOTA reserves its right to amend this response
26 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 61
27
If YOUR answer to interrogatory No. 60 was anything than an unqualified no state all
28 | facts that support YOUR contention
34
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:12 FAX
Wd 036/137 036/137
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 61
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
3 specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to 4 amounts of dust Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient in
5 formation to respond to this interrogatory with regard to other entities other than Manville
6
With regard to Manville Bobby Evans and Albert Groth testified that during the
7 relevant period the majority of asbestos cement pipe at the subject Los Angeles Department of
8 Water and Power yard was manufactured by either Manville or Certainteed This
9 testimony is supported by the deposition testimony of Los Angeles Department of Water and
Power's Persons Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis Alvaro Sanchez and Rhoda Lukjaniec and
Exhibits thereto
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 62
If YOUR answer to interrogatory No. 60 was anything than an unqualified no
DENTIFY all individuals that support YOUR contention RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 62
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in cvidence specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to amounts of dust Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient information to respond to this interrogatory other than the following
Bobby Evans Albert Groth Charles Reuben Daniel Davis Alvaro Sanchez and Rhoda
Lukjaniec whose contact information and addresses are known to plaintiffs and Arthur H. Voss deceased
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 63
If YOUR answer to interrogatory No. 60 was anything than an unqualified no
DENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 63
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory to the extent that it assumes facts not in evidence
specifically that utilizing KUBOTA Asbestos Pressure Pipe would expose workers to
35
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:12 FAX
037/130377/137
1 amounts of dust Without waiving said objection KUBOTA responds that it lacks sufficient
2 information to respond to this interrogatory other than the following
3
1 LADWP's Production of Documents dated 2/1/10 attached as Exhibit 35 to the
4 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis III dated
6
2/4/10
7
2 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Daniel Davis III
dated 2/4/10 and 2/5/10 Volumes 1 and 2 with Exhibits 8
3 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Alvaro Sanchez
10
dated 2/5/10 and 2/8/10 Volume 1 and 2 with Exhibits
11
4 Deposition Transcript of LADWP's Person Most Knowledgeable Rhoda Lukjaniec
12
dated 2/8/10 with Exhibits
13
5 Deposition Transcript of Albert Groth dated January 28 and 27 2010 and Exhibits
14 and
15
16
6 Deposition Transcript of Arthur H. Voss dated 1/31/07 taken in Superior Court
County of San Francisco Case No. 972662 entitled Paul Roach v Abex Corporation et
18
al which was previously produced as Tab 4.21 in KUBOTA's production of
19
documents related to the Deposition of KUBOTA's Person Most Knowledgeable taken
on December 12 2007 in the Webber v A.H. Voss litigation and is already in the
possession of plaintiffs counsel
7 Deposition Transcript of Takashi Arimori dated 9/30/96 taken in Superior Court County of San Francisco Case Nos 973070 969634 969946 971564 972983 969749
953659 and 972662 with Exhibits
26 SPECIALSPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 64
Do YOU contend that materials Mr. Evans worked with or around did not contain
28 ASBESTOA S SBESTOS 36
03/15/2010 17:12 FAX
Ww) 038/137 038/137
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 64
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous unintelligible and undefined as to the meaning of the term materials and is not reasonably calculated to lead to 4 the discovery of admissible evidence It is obvious that some of the materials which Mr. Evans
5 worked with or around would not have contained asbestos
5 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 65 If your response to Interrogatory No. 64 is anything other than an unqualified no state 8 dl facts supporting YOUR contention 9 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 65
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous unintelligible and undefined as to the meaning of the term materials and is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence It is obvious that some of the materials which Mr. Evans
worked with or around would not have contained asbestos SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 66
If your response to Interrogatory No 64 is anything other than an unqualified no IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 66
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous unintelligible and
undefined as to the meaning of the term materials and is not reasonably calculated to lead to
Evans the discovery of admissible evidence It is obvious that some of the materials which Mr.
worked with or around would not have contained asbestos SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 67
If your response to Interrogatory No. 64 anything other than an unqualified no
IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 67
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous unintelligible and undefined as to the meaning of the term materials and is not reasonably calculated to lead to
37
03/15/2010 17:12 FAX
Ww) 039/137 039/137
the discovery of admissible evidence It is obvious that some of the materials which Mr. Evans
worked with or around would not have contained asbestos
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 68
4
IDENTIFY all depositions taken of any of YOUR current or former EMPLOYEES in
5 any asbestos personal injury or wrongful death action
6 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 68
7
Objection This interrogatory requests information that is protected from disclosure by a
8 confidentiality agreement and the privacy rights of third parties and their families
9
Without waiving these objections KUBOTA responds as follows
10
1 Deposition of Person Most Knowledgeable Keisuke Sezaki dated December 12 2007
11 in the Webber v A. H. Voss litigation However Mr. Sezaki's deposition is unsigned and cannot
12 be used in any other litigation based on the California Code of Civil Procedure General Orders
13 related to former testimony and a confidentiality agreement
14
2 Deposition of Takashi Arimori dated 9/30/96 taken in Superior Court County of San
15 Francisco Case Nos 973070 969634 969946 971564 972983 969749 953659 and 972662
16 with Exhibits
17 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 69
18
IDENTIFY any and all ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL YOU SOLD between
19 the years 1965 and 1992 inclusive
20 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROG^ TORYNO 69
21
KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and
22 time irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as
23 it potentially includes products not sold in the United States products sold after 1975 and
24 products other than asbestos cement pressure pipe
25
Without waiving said objections KUBOTA responds that it manufactured and sold in the
26 U.S. asbestos pressure pipe from 1962 to 1975 only
27
28
|
10
03/15/2010 17:13 17:13 FAX
040/137 040/137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 70
IDENTIFY any and all MANUFACTURERS of the ASBESTOS CONTAINING
ee
MATERIAL YOU SOLD between the years 1965 and 1992 inclusive
4 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 70 KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and
6 time and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as it
7 potentially includes products not sold in the United States and products sold after 1975 and
8 products other than asbestos coment pressure pipe
9
Without waiving said objections KUBOTA responds that it manufactured and sold its
10 asbestos pressure pipe from 1962 to 1975 in the United States There is no evidence
11 discovered to date that KUBOTA delivered or supplied any asbestos cement pressure pipe to the
12 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time between 1965 and 1992
13
14 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 71
15
IDENTIFY any and all of YOUR SALES of ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL
16 to VOSS between the years 1965 and 1992 inclusive
17 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 71
18
KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and
19 time and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence Subject to
20 the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows
21
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through
22 standard company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have
23 been destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to respond to this interrogatory However
24 KUBOTA believes it sold asbestos pressure pipe to Voss from 1962 to 1975
25 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 72
26
IDENTIFY any and all information concerning the MANUFACTURERS of the
27 ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL YOU SOLD to VOSS between the years 1965 and
28 1992 inclusive 20
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:13 FAX
041/137 041/137
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 72
KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and 3 time irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence 4 Without waiving said objections KUBOTA responds that it manufactured its own asbestos5 cement pressure pipe and sold it to Voss from 1962 to 1975
6 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 73
7 IDENTIFY any and all distribution agreements YOU entered into with VOSS regarding 8 the SALE of ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL between the years 1965 and 1992 9 inclusive
10 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 73
11
KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and
12 time irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence
13 Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as follows
14 Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees and through standard 15 company destruction policies potentially responsive documents and evidence have been
16 destroyed therefore KUBOTA is unable to respond to this interrogatory However KUBOTA
17 believes it sold asbestos pressure pipe to Voss from 1962 to 1975
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 74
Do you contend you did not sell ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL to VOSS between the years 1965 and 1992 inclusive
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 74
Yes KUBOTA sold asbestos pressure pipe to Voss from 1962 to 1975 ..
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 75
If your response to Interrogatory No. 81 is anything other than an unqualified no state all facts supporting YOUR contention
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 75
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous and unintelligible as
Interrogatory No. 81 does not call for a yes or no response
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:13 FAX
042/1042/137 3042/7137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 76
2
If your response to Interrogatory No. 81 is anything other than an unqualified no
3 IDENTIFY by address and phone number all individuals who support YOUR contention
4 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 76
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous and unintelligible a Interrogatory No. 81 does not call for a yes or no response
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 77
If your response to Interrogatory No. 81 anything other than an unqualified no
IDENTIFY all DOCUMENTS that support YOUR contention
10 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 77
11
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being vague ambiguous and unintelligible as
12 Interrogatory No. 81 does not call for a yes or no response
13 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 78
14
IDENTIFY any and all information regarding YOUR knowledge of HAZARDS
15 ASSOCIATED WITH ASBESTOS EXPOSURE and ASBESTOS CONTAINING
16 MATERIAL
17 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 78
18
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being overly broad in scope vague ambiguous
19 and unintelligible as to time and not reasonably calculated to the discovery of admissible
20 evidence Subject to the foregoing and without waiving its objections KUBOTA responds as
21 follows
222
Through the passage of time the retirement and demise of its employees KUBOTA is
23 unable to completely respond to the interrogatory but shortly before its enactment KUBOTA
24 became aware of a 1960 Japanese Pneumoconiosis Act that addressed pneumoconiosis and
25 asbestosis resulting from long term exposures to asbestos at manufacturing facilities but not lung
26 cancer or mesothelioma KUBOTA believes it first learned of asbestos related cancer and
27 mesothelioma hazards shortly before promulgation of the 1975 Japanese Ordinance on
28 Prevention of Hazards Caused by Specified Chemical Substances
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:13 FAX
043/137 043/137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 79
IDENTIFY any and all information regarding when YOU first learned about the
HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH ASBESTOS EXPOSURE
4 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 79
5
KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and demise
6 of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially responsive
7 documents and evidence have been destroyed KUBOTA is therefore unable to completely
respond to this interrogatory but shortly before its enactment KUBOTA became aware of a
1960 Japanese Pneumoconiosis Act that addressed pneumoconiosis and asbestosis resulting from
10 long term exposures to asbestos at manufacturing facilities but not lung cancer or mesothelioma
11 KUBOTA believes it first learned of asbestos related cancer and mesothelioma hazards shortly
12 before promulgation of the 1975 Japanese Ordinance on Prevention of Hazards Caused by
13 Specified Chemical Substances
14 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 80
15
IDENTIFY how many workers compensation claims YOU have received relating to an
16 asbestos disease
17 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 80
18
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of third parties and
19 their families is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant and
20 not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to any KUBOTA
21 business documents created after December 31 1975 and as to information related to other
22 containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The requested documents
23 are also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements and statements of
24 sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160. Should KUBOTA be
25 ordered to produce such documentation said order will force KUBOTA to breach its confidential
26 contract with third parties This demand also requests documents that may be protected by the
27 attorney and attorney work product privileges
28
42
03/15/2010 17:13 17:13 FAX
044/137 044/137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 81
2
IDENTIFY when YOU first received a workers compensation claim relating to an
ee
asbestos disease
3 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 81 KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being unduly burdensome and oppressive
Without waiving said objections KUBOTA responds as follows
6 In or about 1980
8 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 82
IDENTIFY information regarding any workers compensation claims relating to an
10 asbestos disease YOU have received
11 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 82
12
KUBOTA objects to this request as it invades the right to privacy of various individuals
13 and their families is overly broad in scope and time unduly burdensome oppressive harassing 14 and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence as to information 15 related to other containing products besides asbestos pressure pipe The
16 requested information is also protected by a confidentiality provision Compromise agreements
17 and statements of sympathy are also protected by Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1160
18 Should KUBOTA be ordered to reveal such information said order will force KUBOTA to
19 breach its confidential contract with third parties This demand also requests information that 20 may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges
21 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 83
22
IDENTIFY YOUR membership in any organization that discussed the HAZARDS
23 ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS
24 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 83
25
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being overly broad in scope and time and
26 because KUBOTA would not necessarily know about all discussions various organizations 27 may have had Without waiving said objections KUBOTA responds that it is not aware of any
28 such memberships
13
03/15/2010 17:13 17:13 FAX
045/137 045/137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 84
IDENTIFY information regarding YOUR corporate history
RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 84
KUBOTA objects to this request as it is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome
oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence as to any KUBOTA business documents created after December 31 1975
and as to information related to other containing products besides asbestos
pressure pipe The demand requests documents that are equally available to Plaintiffs This
10 demand also requests documents that may be protected by the attorney and attomey work 11 product privileges Without waiving these objections KUBOTA responds as follows
12
KUBOTA has conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry and has previously
13
produced any responsive documents in its possession custody or control that were created prior
14 to December 31 1975 and are related to asbestos pressure pipe The responsive
15
documents were produced as Tab 1.1 in KUBOTA's production of documents related to the
16
Deposition of KUBOTA's Person Most Knowledgeable taken on December 12 2007 in the
17
18 Webber v A.H. Voss litigation and are already in the possession of plaintiffs counsel
19 KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being overly broad in scope and time unduly 20 burdensome oppressive and harassing and vague ambiguous and unintelligible as to what
21 information is sought
22 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 85
22
IDENTIFY information regarding YOUR DOCUMENT RETENTION POLICY
24 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 85
25
KUBOTA objects to this request as it is overly broad in scope unduly burdensome
26 oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
27 admissible evidence as to any KUBOTA business documents created after December 31 1975
28 and as to information related to other containing products besides asbestos
03/15/2010 17:13 17:13 FAX
Ww 046/137 046/137
pressure pipe This demand requests documents which are equally available to Plaintiffs This demand also requests documents that may be protected by the attorney and attorney work product privileges Without waiving these objections KUBOTA responds as follows
KUBOTA has conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry and has previously produced any responsive documents which are in its possession custody or control that were
6 created prior to December 31 1975 and are related to asbestos pressure pipe The
7 responsive documents were produced as Tab 1.8 in KUBOTA's production of documents related
8 to the Deposition of KUBOTA's Person Most Knowledgeable taken on December 12 2007 in the Webber v A.H. Voss litigation and are already in the possession of plaintiffs counsel
10 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 86
11
IDENTIFY all correspondence between YOU and the Familian Corporation between
12 1965 and 1992
13 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 86
14
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as overly broad in scope and time and not
15 reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence Without waiving said
16 objections KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and
17 demise of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially
18 responsive documents and evidence have been destroyed Without waiving said objections
19 KUBOTA responds as follows
20
KUBOTA has conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry and is not in
21 possession custody or control of the requested documents nor are they known to exist
22 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 87
23
IDENTIFY all correspondence between YOU and the Los Angeles Department of Water
24 and Power between 1965 and 1992
25 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 87
26
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as overly broad in scope and time and not
27 reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence Without waiving said
28 objections KUBOTA responds as follows Through the passage of time the retirement and
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:14 17:14 FAX
047/137 047/137
demise of its employees and through standard company destruction policies potentially
32 responsive documents and evidence have been destroyed Without waiving said objections KUBOTA responds as follows
4
KUBOTA has conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry and is not in
5 possession custody or control of the requested documents nor are they known to exist
6 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 88
7
IDENTIFY any asbestos WARNINGS that YOU placed on any packaging
8 associated with ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL at any time
9 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 88
10
KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and
11 time and duplicates Interrogatory No. 19 and is therefore oppressive harassing and unduly
12 burdensome
13 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 89
14
IDENTIFY any WARNINGS that YOU provided with YOUR sales of ASBESTOS
15 CONTAINING MATERIAL between 1965 and 1992
16 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 89
|
17
KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and
18 time duplicates Interrogatories Nos 15-18 and is therefore oppressive harassing and unduly
19 burdensome
20 SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 90
21
IDENTIFY any ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL that YOU have in YOUR
22 possession
23 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 90
24
KUBOTA objects to this interrogatory as being overly broad in scope vague
25 ambiguous unintelligible and not defining as to the phrase asbestos containing material as
26 used in this context is unduly burdensome oppressive and harassing irrelevant and is not
27 reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence
28
46 DEFENDANT KUBOTA CORPORATION'S RESPONSES TO PLAINTIFFS SPECIAL INTERROGATORIES SET ONE
03/15/2010 17:14 17:14 FAX
048/137
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 91
IDENTIFY any WARNINGS about the HAZARDS RELATED TO ASBESTOS
3 EXPOSURE YOU provided with the ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL YOU SOLD 4 between the years 1965 and 1992 inclusive
5 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 91
6
KUBOTA objects on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad in scope and
7 time duplicative of Interrogatories No. 15-18 20-23 38 41-48 and 88 and is therefore
8 oppressive harassing and unduly burdensome
SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 92
10
IDENTIFY any WARNINGS provided to the Los Angeles Department of Water and
11 Power between the years 1965 and 1992 inclusive
12 RESPONSE TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORY NO 92
13
Objection KUBOTA objects to this request as it is overly broad in scope unduly
14 burdensome oppressive harassing irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
15 discovery of admissible evidence as to information related to other containing products
16 besides asbestos pressure pipe This request assumes facts not in evidence that KUBOTA
17 or VOSS sold or supplied any containing material to Los Angeles Department of Water
18 and Power of Los Angeles CA at any time from 1962 to 1975. Without waiving these
19 objections KUBOTA responds as follows
20
Not applicable as there is no evidence that KUBOTA supplied or delivered any asbestos
21 cement pressure pipe to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at any time from 1962 to
22 1975
|
23 Dated March 15 2010
2382
WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ
EDELMAN & DICKER LLP
C.C. Ontivere 2382
2382
Thomas C. Corless
Aide C. Ontiveros
2382
Attorneys for Defendant
KUBOTA CORPORATION
47 28
03/15/2010 03/15/2010 17:14 17:14 FAX
049/137 049/137
]
VERIFICATION
2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
3
I have read the foregoing DEFENDANT KUBOTA CORPORATION'S RESPONSES
4 || TO SPECIAL INTERROGATORIES and know its contents
5
I am Masahiko Uchino Legal Department for KUBOTA CORPORATION a party to
6 this action entitled Rhoda Evans v A. W. Chesterton et al LASC Case No. BC 418867 and am
authorized to make this verification for and on its behalf and I make this verification for that
9 || reason I am informed and believe and on that ground allege that the matters stated in the
10 || foregoing document are true
11
Executed on March 15 2010 at Osaka Japan
12
I declare under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the
13
foregoing is true and correct
14
15
33 72
16
Signature
17
18
2822 2822 2822
2822
2230
24
2230
2230
27
28
48 DEFENDANT KUBOTA CORPORATION'S RESPONSES TO PLAINTIFFS SPECIAL INTERROGATORIES
03/15/2010 17:14 17:14 FAX
050/137
PROOF OF SERVICE
1013a CCP
2 STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
3
I am employed in the County of Los Angeles State of California I am over the age of 18 4 and not a party to the within action my business address is 555 South Flower Street 29th Floor
5 Los Angeles California 90071
6
On March 15 2010 I caused the foregoing document described as DEFENDANT
KUBOTA CORPORATION'S RESPONSES / PLAINTIFFS SPECIAL
7 INTERROGATORIES SET ONE to be served on the interested parties in this action by
placing a true copy thereof enclosed in seal envelopes addressed as follows
8
SEE ATTACHED SERVICE LIST 9
10 X
11
BY FACSIMILE I caused said document to be telephonically transmitted to each addressee's telecopier Fax number as noted on Proof of Service List
AND 12
X
13 14 15 16
BY MAIL I caused such envelope fully prepaid to be placed in the United States Mail at Los Angeles California I am readily familiar with the firm's practice of collection and processing correspondence or mailing Under that practice it would be deposited with the U.S. postal service on that same day with postage thereon fully prepaid at Los Angeles California in the ordinary course of business I am aware that on motion of the party served service is presumed invalid if postal cancellation date or postage meter date is more than one day after date of deposit for mailing in affidavit
17
[]
18
19
=
20
21
BY OVERNIGHT EXPRESS I caused said document to be picked up by U.S. Federal Express Services for overnight delivery to the offices of the addressees
listed on the Service List
BY HAND PERSONAL SERVICE I caused said document to be personally delivered by a attorney service to the addressee as noted on the Service
list
22
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the above
is true and correct
23
Executed on March 15 2010 Los Angeles California
24
25
26
Irene Guzman
Buelna
27
30
03/15/2010 17:14 17:14 FAX
051/137 051/137
SERVICE LIST
RHODA EVANS et al v KUBOTA CORPORATION et al
Case No BC418867
Our File No 00495.06997
4 Jeffrey A. Kaiser Esq T. Scott Hames Esq
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
RHODA EVANS and BOBBY EVANS
LEVIN SIMES KAISER & GORNICK LLP
5
44 Montgomery Street 36th Floor
Tel 415 646-7160 - Fax 415 981-1270
San Francisco California 94104
ORIGINAL
7 K Gates LLP
Four Embarcadero Center Suite 1200 8
San Francisco CA 94111
9
COPY
Attorneys for Crane Co. Individually & as successor to Chapman Valve Co.
Tel 415 882-8200
- Fax 415 882-8220
10
11
Corinne Orquiola Esq
LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH LLP
12
221 North Figueroa Street Suite 1200
Los Angeles CA 90012
13
COPY
Attorneys for Advocate Mines Limited Tel 213 250-1800 - Fax 213 580-7942
orquiola@lbbslaw.com
14
William J. Sayers Esq
Attorneys for Certain Corporation
Farah S. Nicol Esq
15
Mary McKelvey Esq
Tel 213 688-1000
- Fax 213 243-6330
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
mmckelvey@mckennalong.com
16
300 S. Grand Avenue Suite 1400
Los Angeles CA 90071 17 COPY
18
Carmen A. Trutanich Esq
Pamela L. McFarlane Esq
19
Eskel Solomon Esq
20
111 North Hope Street Suite 340
P.O. Box 51111
21
Los Angeles CA 90051
2
COPY
Attorneys for Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power
Tel 213 367-4640-4534 367-4640-4534 - Fax 213 367-4588 Maggie Flores - Secretary Pamela.mcfarlane@ladwp.com | Eskel.solomon@ladwp.com
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R. Gregory Amudson Esq
Seymour B. Everett Esq
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WOOD SMITH HENNING & BERMAN
5000 Birch Street Suite 8500
25
Newport Beach CA 92660
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Associated Counsel for City of Los Angeles Acting by and through the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles
Tel 949 757-4500 - Fax
gamudson@wshblaw.com severett@wshblaw.com
949 757-4550
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