The table saw is one of the most dangerous tools on a job site, causing tens of thousands of injuries every year. If you have recently suffered a serious injury as a result of a table saw accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering and other damages. Many injuries from table saws could have been prevented by flesh-sensing technology that has been available to manufacturers for more than a decade. Although this technology has been available, most table saw manufacturers have not changed their technology in the past 50 years.
Common Types of Table Saw Injuries
The vast majority of table saw accident injuries involve fingers or thumbs. Common injuries from table saw accidents include:
- Lacerations
- Sever cuts or gouges
- Amputations
- Bone fractures
- Injuries to head, neck, eyes, legs, upper arms or chest.
Many of these injuries caused by spinning table saw blades are entirely preventable, if automatic flesh-sensing technology is used in addition to the plastic blade guard.
Why Current Standards are Ineffective
The plastic blade guard is the primary technology used to prevent table saw accidents. This technology has not changed much over the past 50 years. These blade guards prevent kickback and flying debris from reaching the eyes of the eyes of the operator. However, for certain cuts such as thin strips or notches, the blade must be removed. Even with the blade guard removed, automatic technologies exist to prevent serious injuries if a person comes in contact with the blade. The SawStop is already on the market and stops the blade within milliseconds of contact, to minimize the severity of an injury. Fingers that come in contact with saws equipped with SawStop technology result in just a nick, instead of a devastating amputation that would likely occur in an ordinary table saw.
Table Saw Injuries News Timeline
- Ten years ago, in 2003, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) was petitioned to require SawStop to be used in all new table saws. Although the agency did not make a final ruling, they recommended that table saw manufacturers use the technology.
- In March 2010, a Massachusetts jury awarded $1.5 million to a man whose fingers were severed by a Ryobi table saw. The jury found the man’s injuries could have been prevented if the SawStop technology had been used.
- After receiving pressure from consumer advocates, in October 2011, the CPSC reprimanded the power tool industry for failing to make significant progress towards the 60,000 plus injuries caused each year. Later that month, the CPSC voted unanimously to create new federal regulations to improve table saw safety.
Table Saw Injury Facts
According to statistic compiled by the CPSC and the National Consumer’s League, each year:
- About 67,300 injuries occur
- About 4,000 finger amputations occur (more than 10 a day)
- About 4,150 broken bones occur from table saw accidents.
- 97% of table saw accident victims are male
- In approximately two-thirds of table saw injuries, the plastic blade guard had been removed
- Many of the people getting hurt are experienced operators and professional woodworkers.
- Table saw injuries cost about $2.36 billion annually.
Popular Manufacturers of Table Saws
- Sears
- Delta
- Dewalt
- Craftsman
- Black & Decker
- Hitachi
- Kwikset
- Ryobi
- Skil
Protecting Your Rights Following an Accident
Time is of the essence following a table saw accident, or any accident resulting in a serious personal injury. Contact the attorneys at Estey Bomberger today and tell us what happened so that we can begin the process of preserving evidence, speaking to witnesses and helping you hold responsible parties accountable. Our team specializes in dangerous product cases, and representing individuals who have suffered serious injuries from unsafe products. Call or email us today for a free consultation with no obligation. We are currently reviewing cases nationwide.