June 12, 2012
By Kelly Holleran
A man claims he lost his thumb after using a crossbow that he was told was the best and safest crossbow he could purchase.
Cyril B. Korte filed a lawsuit May 25 in Madison County District Court against Hunter’s Manufacturing Company doing business as Tenpoint Crossbow Technologies and Cabela’s Retail.
Korte claims he visited Cabela’s in Hazelwood, Mo., in November 2009 to purchase a crossbow. After being informed of “the best and safest crossbow,” Korte settled on a Tenpoint Phantom CLS crossbow, according to the complaint.
“Plaintiff relied on the expertise and representations of Cabela’s in selecting and purchasing the Phantom CLS crossbow,” the suit states.
On Nov. 12, 2011, Korte decided to use his crossbow to go deer hunting. As Korte was firing the crossbow at a deer, the bow string from the crossbow struck his left thumb, completely amputating a portion of it, the complaint says. Korte went to see doctors, but they were unable to replace his thumb.
Tenpoint should have known of the dangerous propensities of its weapon, Korte claims.
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In addition to an amputated thumb, Korte sustained physical impairment and disfigurement, experienced physical pain and suffering and endured an impaired ability to enjoy life because of the incident, the suit states. He also incurred medical costs, the complaint says.