Proposed Mandate Would Require Table Saws To Have Safety Device

Government Mandate Would Require All Table Saws To Have Safety Features That Can Prevent Amputations

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (April 1, 2024) – A proposed regulation would require table saws to have a safety device intended to prevent amputations.

The proposed mandate comes at a time when amputations due to table saws are at an all-time high. According to the New York Times, there are roughly 4,260 amputations each year involving bench or table saws.

It is relatively easy to lose a finger with these saws, even when consumers are being extremely careful. All it can take is for someone to sneeze or for there to be a notch in a piece of wood.

The technology to prevent amputations has been around for some time. It is patented by the company SawStop. Their table saw blade can retract in a matter of milliseconds once it detects a small electrical signal from a limb or finger.

This technology makes table saws more expensive. But many regulators believe that it is a worthwhile trade off given the high costs associated with amputation injuries.

Liability For Table Saw Amputation Injuries

Thousands of people are injured every year in accidents with table saws. According to the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Over 30,000 table saw injuries occur annually. Fingers and hands are the most frequently injured body part and lacerations are the most common injury. Individuals suffering from occupational injuries tend to be younger than those injured during amateur woodworking.” The medical costs associated with these injuries are estimated at over $2 billion annually. There are many situations where people use table saws.

• Woodworking Shops
• Construction Sites
• Home Renovations
• Cabinet Making
• Craftsmanship
• Manufacturing

A table saw company could be held liable for an injury through a product liability claim. Consumer goods companies must ensure that their products are reasonably safe. They must also warn consumers about the non-obvious dangers of those products. Generally speaking, plaintiffs can assert three different types of actions for a product liability claim. This includes (1) negligence; (2) strict product liability; and (3) breach of warranty. In either a negligence or strict liability case, the plaintiff will need to argue that the product was either defective or unreasonably dangerous.

With respect to table saws, amputation injuries are nearly always preventable. The technology to prevent amputations has been around for many years. But the technology to prevent amputations also costs money. It can make some table saws several hundred dollars more expensive. But this is simply no excuse for releasing a dangerous product to market. The fact that many table saws could be made safer but are not could form the basis of a product liability claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any table saw accident.

• Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
• Medical records should be preserved.
• Photos of the accident should be documented.
• An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

Amputation injuries can be extremely traumatic and costly. Many victims will need to take extensive time off of work or school. Some people may never be able to return to their profession of choice. To make matters worse, companies that manufacture table saws will do everything in their power to deny responsibility if someone is injured by their product. A product liability attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating Table Saw Amputation Accidents

We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been injured by table saws. Far too many of these accidents and injuries were entirely preventable. The table saw industry has demonstrated time and again that they are more concerned with maximizing their profits than making their products as safe as possible.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a table saw accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.