As a vital component in the construction industry, table saws provide builders and subcontractors with an irreplaceable tool of unparalleled importance on the job site. Unfortunately for those who use these products, the importance of such a power tool is only rivaled by the inherent risk of danger that coincides with it. The presence of a powerful revolving blade promotes a volatile environment, capable of causing a significant table saw injury. Subsequently, unsafe table saws may demonstrate a propensity for severe, life-threatening lacerations and amputations.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a table saw injury, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Table Saw Injury Lawsuit Overview
Table saws, otherwise known as saw-benches, are mechanical mediums intended to cut a variety of materials with precise accuracy. More often than not, these machines utilize powerful circular blades mounted on arbors to make straight line cuts in wood. Available in a variety of strengths and sizes, table saws have helped millions of people accomplish tasks that range from industrial construction projects to household chores.
As one of the most popular and easily accessible power tools on the U.S. market, table saws are owned by approximately 8 million consumers nationwide. However, their widespread use has become synonymous with an inherent degree of danger. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are between 35,000 and 40,000 table saw injuries in the U.S. every year. Whether the injuries are caused by unsafe saws lacking proper safety shutoff features or by accidental operator error, the risks posed by these machines have fatal implications.
The use of unsafe table saws may coincide with a variety of injuries with varying degrees of severity. Subsequently, the use of such an aggressive machine may result in lacerations and amputations to the head, neck, eyes, legs, upper arms, and chest. Accordingly, a significant table saw injury may lead to fatal circumstances. Due to the inherent danger exhibited by these power tools, individuals may contact a table saw injury lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential lawsuit.
Table Saw Injuries
Table saw injuries may be the result of several factors. Inadequate safety features, accidental operator error, and defective machinery may be responsible for catastrophic injuries. However, most table saw injuries occur when the wood ‘kicks back’ at the operator. This sudden movement causes the worker’s momentum to shift forward toward the spinning saw blade. The most common injuries associated with table saws are severe cuts and lacerations. However, significant injuries include amputations of digits and appendages. The strength of the high powered blade is capable of cutting through flesh and bone without the presence of resistance. Therefore, severe injuries may result in fatal circumstances. The following is a comprehensive list of injuries associated with table saws:
- Lacerations (makes up two-thirds of all table saw injuries)
- Amputation of digits
- Amputation of appendages
- Severe cuts
- Bone fractures
- Corresponding injuries to the head, neck, eyes, legs, upper arms, and chest
Table Saw Injury Prevention
The onslaught of table saw injuries plaguing the construction industry have demonstrated a need for the reform of already established safety measures. Therefore, revolutionary technologies were developed with the purpose of minimizing table saw injuries. Approximately 10 years ago, consumers were introduced to SawStop, a technology entrusted to prevent further injuries. Through electrical currents and sophisticated microchip components, SawStop is capable of detecting any contact between blade and skin. Subsequently, the technology is able to stop and drop the blade within 5/1000th of a second after initial detection has occurred.
While SawStop and similar safety precautions are readily available to manufacturers, several companies have yet to adopt them. In 2003, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was petitioned to require SawStop on table saws. Although the CPSC has not made a ruling, they would prefer table saw manufactures to voluntarily adopt this safety technology.
Table Saw Injury Lawsuit
2010 witnessed a gentleman by the name of Carlos Osorio pursue litigation against a specific table saw manufacturer for an injury he sustained while operating their machine. Osorio was forced to seek medical intervention when two of his fingers became permanently disfigured and three suffered from extensive nerve damage that resulted in the loss of feeling. The table saw injury lawsuit, filed against One World Technologies Inc., awarded Osorio $1.5 million in damages under the premise of their failure to include flesh detection technology. During Osorio’s trial, an expert witness for the defense acknowledged that if the saw had the flesh detection technology, it would have created a 1/8-inch deep cut on one finger.
Do I Have a Table Saw Injury Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in table saw injury lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has been the victim of a table saw injury, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.