At Schmidt & Clark, we are dedicated to helping individuals who have suffered due to dangerous table saws lacking proper safety features.
Our experienced legal team is here to guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Schmidt & Clark today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Table Of Contents
- Table Saw Injury Lawsuit Overview
- Latest Table Saw Injury Lawsuit Updates
- CPSC Reports and Statistics
- Table Saw Injuries & Side Effects
- Do You Qualify for a Table Saw Injury Lawsuit?
- Table Saw Recall Information
- Statute of Limitations for Table Saw Injury Lawsuits
- FAQs
- 1. What must be proven to win a table saw injury lawsuit?
- 2. What compensation might I receive from a table saw injury lawsuit?
- 3. Is there a deadline for filing a table saw injury lawsuit?
- 4. Which manufacturers are commonly named in table saw injury lawsuits?
- 5. What is SawStop technology and why is it important in these lawsuits?
- 6. Can I still file a lawsuit if I was injured at work?
- Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims
- References
Table Saw Injury Lawsuit Overview
Table saw injury lawsuits center on dangerous power tools that cause approximately 35,000 to 40,000 serious injuries in the United States annually.
Primary allegations against manufacturers involve the failure to implement available safety technology such as SawStop, which can instantly stop a saw blade upon skin contact [1].
Despite the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommending manufacturers include this life-saving technology, many have chosen not to implement it.
The economic impact of table saw-related injuries is estimated at approximately $2 billion per year, with hundreds of lawsuits filed against manufacturers.
Latest Table Saw Injury Lawsuit Updates
March 2010 – A jury awarded $1.5 million to a man who severed his fingers on a table saw that was not equipped with SawStop technology. This case highlighted manufacturers’ liability for failing to implement available safety features.
2003 – The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was petitioned to require SawStop devices to be included on all table saws.
While the agency has not made a final ruling, they have recommended that manufacturers include this technology on their products.
CPSC Reports and Statistics
According to Consumer Product Safety Commission data and other safety sources:
- Between 35,000 and 40,000 serious table saw injuries occur annually in the United States
- The estimated cost of table saw-related injuries is approximately $2 billion per year
- More than 10% of all construction workers suffer an injury resulting in permanent disability or substantial lost time from work each year
- Approximately two out of three table saw injury victims suffer lacerations
- Manufacturers face hundreds of lawsuits and at least 50 legal claims alleging that SawStop technology could have prevented injuries [2]
Table Saw Injuries & Side Effects
Table saw accidents can result in devastating and life-altering injuries, often occurring when wood ‘kicks back’ at the operator, causing hands to jolt forward into the spinning blade.
- Lacerations: Affects approximately two out of three victims, often resulting in severe tissue damage
- Amputation: Complete or partial loss of fingers or hands, frequently requiring extensive reconstructive surgery
- Severe Cuts/Gouges: Deep wounds that may damage nerves, tendons, and blood vessels
- Bone Fractures: Crushing or cutting injuries to the bones of the hands or fingers
- Secondary Injuries: Damage to the head, neck, eyes, legs, upper arms, and chest from kickback or material projection
Do You Qualify for a Table Saw Injury Lawsuit?
You may qualify for a table saw injury lawsuit if:
- You were injured while using a table saw that lacked proper safety features, particularly SawStop technology
- Your injury resulted in lacerations, amputations, bone fractures, or other serious trauma
- The table saw was manufactured by a major company such as Sears, Ryobi, Makita, Kwikset, DeWalt, Bosch, Skil, Delta, Grizzly, or Craftsman
- Your injury required medical treatment
- You can demonstrate that the manufacturer failed to implement available safety technology
- Your incident occurred within the statute of limitations for your state
Evidence Required for a Table Saw Injury Lawsuit
To build a strong case for your table saw injury claim, you’ll need to gather specific evidence:
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatments
- Photographs of your injuries and the table saw that caused them
- The model and serial number of the table saw involved
- Documentation showing the saw lacked appropriate safety features
- Witness statements if anyone observed the accident
- Expert testimony regarding industry safety standards and available technology
- Records of any workplace incident reports or OSHA investigations if the injury occurred on a job site
Damages You Can Recover
If successful in your table saw injury lawsuit, you may be eligible to recover:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgeries, and ongoing care
- Rehabilitation costs including physical therapy
- Lost wages due to inability to work
- Loss of earning capacity if your injury affects your ability to perform your job
- Pain and suffering from physical and emotional trauma
- Costs of prosthetics or assistive devices if amputation occurred
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence by manufacturers
Table Saw Recall Information
While there is no single comprehensive recall affecting all table saws, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been advocating for improved safety measures across the industry.
In 2003, the CPSC was petitioned to require SawStop technology on all table saws. Though the agency has not issued a final ruling mandating this safety feature, they have consistently recommended that manufacturers incorporate this technology.
Many manufacturers have resisted implementing SawStop due to costs, despite the technology being widely available for over a decade.
This resistance has been a central focus of litigation, with plaintiffs arguing that manufacturers have prioritized profits over user safety.
Statute of Limitations for Table Saw Injury Lawsuits
The statute of limitations for filing a table saw injury lawsuit varies by state, typically ranging from 1-4 years from the date of injury.
These timeframes can be affected by when you discovered your injury was related to a defective product. Because these legal deadlines differ significantly depending on your location, it’s crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your legal rights are protected.
In product liability cases involving table saws, the statute may begin from the date of injury or from the date you reasonably should have known that the manufacturer’s negligence contributed to your injury. An experienced attorney can help determine the specific deadlines that apply to your case.
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FAQs
See more: Product Liability Cases
Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims
Time is limited to pursue legal action for table saw injuries. Most states only allow 1-4 years from the date of injury to file a claim, and this window may be closing for many affected individuals.
At Schmidt & Clark, we offer:
- Free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case
- No upfront costs or fees for our legal services
- Payment only if we win your case and secure compensation for you
Free Table Saw Accident & Injury Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured by a table saw, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a table saw injury suit and we can help.
References
- https://www.npr.org/2024/04/02/1241148577/table-saw-injuries-safety-sawstop-cpsc
- https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Proposed%20Rule%20-%20Safety%20Standard%20for%20Blade-Contact%20Injuries%20on%20Table%20Saws%20-%20January%2017%202017.pdf