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7 Power Tools Recalled For Serious Injuries | Clark Fountain
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 900,000 people are injured while using recalled power tools each year. Most tools are utilized to puncture, cut, slice, shred materials, or sand metals, wood, and fiberglass. The risk of injuries may impact everyday consumers including homeowners, do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts, laborers, contractors, construction workers, and repairmen. When a defective power tool malfunctions, it can lead to serious injuries or death to the operator or a bystander.
Power Tools Helpful or Harmful
According to OSHA, many individuals were injured while operating the power tools similar to those listed below:
|
Product |
Models Recalled |
Common Injuries |
|
Power Nail Guns and Nailers |
RIDGID Recalls over 8,000 Roofing Nailers Kobalt Recalls Over 150,000 Chainsaws for Faulty “On and Off” Power Switch |
Laceration, Injury Hazard, Possible Death |
| Chainsaws | Harbor Freight Recalls over 1,020,000 Chainsaws for Defective “On and Off” Power Switch Craftsman Recalls Chainsaws Due to Fuel Leak and Fire Hazard |
Laceration, Impact Injury, Burns |
| Table Saws |
Craftsman Recalls Portable Table Saws for Collapsing Stand – Lacerations and Other Injuries Reported Porter Cable Recalls Over 250,000 Table Saws for Overheating and Fire Hazard |
Lacerations, Impact Injuries, Burns |
| Circular Saws | Laceration and Serious Injuries | |
| Power Drills & Drivers | Fire Hazard – Black & Decker Announce Recalls Four Models of 18-volt Cordless Drill/Drivers | Burns |
| Air Compressors | DeVilbiss Recalls over 460,000 Air Compressors Including Craftsman and Porter-Cable Brands Due to Fire Hazard and Serious Injuries | Burns, Serious Injuries |
| Wood Chippers |
John Deere Recalls Frontier Wood Chippers For Faulty Blades Discharging |
Laceration, Serious Injuries |
Types of Product Defects
Design Defects
A tool can be deemed defective if the problems stem from the initial development and creation. These are inherently dangerous since their design is simply unsafe. The manufacturer of the tool may not have considered how the material might react under stress or how to minimize the risk of injuries. Also, the product may not have been properly tested before it was released to the market and consumers.
Manufacturing Defects
This occurs when a consumer product is well designed, but issues may arise during the manufacturing process leading the product to be unsafe. In this scenario, the factory or assembly line may have caused the defect, problems with the product, and injuries to consumers. An example of a manufacturer defect is a lack of quality assurance testing or the use of contaminated or degraded materials.
Failure to Warn or Defective Marketing
This can occur when a manufacturer is aware of design flaws, breakdowns, and or misuse and fails to warn about those dangers.
How Product Manufacturers Try to Avoid Responsibility
When it comes to personal injury cases, product liability cases are some of the most difficult to win. Consumer product cases are very complex and often involve intense fact-finding and highly technical testimony from an expert.
Many manufacturers have an aggressive team of attorneys to defend against consumer disputes and lawsuits. For many manufacturers, the cost of litigation over faulty products is part of the cost of doing business.
Many times, the manufacturer will attempt to shift blame for a dangerous product onto the consumer. Defense attorneys frequently argue the consumer was negligent or did not use a product as instructed in the manual or packaging.
When Should I contact a Product Liability Lawyer?
Power tools are widely used and make tasks manageable. They are popular not only for the speed but also for their precision and accuracy. However, defects in these tools can have a serious impact on consumer’s safety. When a consumer is injured while operating a power tool, the product manufacturer and retailer may be liable for their injuries.
We Don’t “Dabble” in Personal Injury
At Clark Fountain, our product lawyers have represented clients injured by faulty or defective products including workshop power tools, industrial equipment, and automobile manufacturers. Not only will we level the playing field during negotiations or in the courtroom, but we can obtain expert witnesses such as scientists or doctors to testify on our client’s behalf if the case goes to trial.
If you or someone you love has been injured while operating a power tool, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your potential claim and legal options.