Table saws are one of the more power tools dangerous tools used on construction sites or in workshops. Table saw injuries can have serious consequences for victims, and their only option may be to file a claim for compensation. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has handled many cases involving table saws and will do whatever it takes to get you the compensation you deserve.
Table Saw Accident Statistics
Table saws can be incredibly dangerous, no matter how many safety precautions are taken. At the end of the day, it is a fast, sharp, spinning saw blade. Every year, roughly 30,000 table saw injuries occur.
About 4,000 of them result in the victim experiencing an amputation [1]. Serious injuries from table saws have ruined the careers of many carpenters, construction workers, and contractors.
Safety Regulations to Prevent Table Saw Injury
Since table saws cause so many injuries, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented safety guidelines for the operation of table saws. Proper safety training and consistent product maintenance are part of these mandates, but there are also specific practices that must be followed by employers and workers.
For example, the portion of the saw above the table must be enclosed by a self-adjusting blade guard. The portion of the blade below the table must also be guarded, as well as the power transmission apparatus.
Saws must be operated only at the speeds recommended by the table saw manufacturers. Cracked saw blades should be immediately replaced. Finally, safety equipment like eyewear and face masks should be worn at all times to prevent injuries [2].
Leading Causes of Table Saw Accidents
Kickback is the most common cause of power tool injuries involving table saws. Even with the right safety technology that many table saws come with—such as blade guars and sawstop technology—objects that are being cut can be launched toward the user at a high speed, damaging various parts of the body.
Another major cause of injuries is getting clothing or a glove caught in the saw blade.
These incidents are caused by a failure to follow safety precautions, making awkward cuts, distractions, being in a hurry, wood imperfections, and untidy workstations. A study of those injured using table saws found more than 20% were aware of a safety feature or safety devices having been removed prior to their injuries [3].
Defective Product
Table saws that are defective can cause various types of accidents. If a product is designed poorly, it may not function as it is intended, creating more danger for the user. There are many ways a table saw could result in injuries due to a defect.
Negligence
In a personal injury case, you must be able to show negligence related to your claim. Our construction accident lawyers will play an important role in helping you prove negligence and pursue compensation for your table saw injury.
Examples of employee or employer negligence in these injury cases include inadequate training practices, insufficient supervision of the work site, lack of machine maintenance, and inadequate blade guards in place.
Common Table Saw Injuries
A saw blade is the most dangerous component of a table saw because it can lead to blade-skin contact injuries. The severity of your injury will affect how much compensation you can receive. It will also play a role in the type of evidence needed to support your claim.
Table saw blade power tools can cause serious injury such as:
- Severe lacerations of the human flesh, particularly to the index finger or thumb
- Amputations
- Facial injuries
- Nerve injuries resulting in permanent disability
- Broken bones and bone fractures
- Electrocution
- Contusions
- Skin damage
- Muscle and tendon damage
Filing a Table Saw Injury Lawsuit With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Filing a lawsuit to recover compensation is a complicated process. You need the right law firm on your side to guide you through the legal process and increase your chances of success. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you do just that. We will take injured victims through the following steps after an accident:
- Consulting a lawyer
- Documenting the incident with your employer
- Gathering evidence
- Filing a lawsuit
- Proceeding through the discovery phase
- Negotiating a settlement with the defendant and their insurance company
- Representing you at trial if necessary
Establishing Liability for Table Saw Accidents
Liability is the key to filing claims after saw blade power tool injuries. Whoever is responsible for the incident will affect the type of claim you can file after construction site accidents. Potentially liable parties include manufacturers in the power tool industry, employees, employers, and other third parties.
Product Liability Lawsuits
The Consumer Product Safety Commission upholds certain standards for products in the United States. If products fail to meet those standards and cause injuries, then table saw manufacturers could be sued via product liability lawsuits. To better understand product liability law, you can contact a product liability attorney from our firm.
Types of defective products can include:
- Defects in the original design of the product – The product has a defective design making it dangerous, when a feasible alternative design would be safer
- Defects in the manufacturing process of table saws – The manufacturing process is imperfect and errors result in a defective table saw that does not match the intended design
- Labeling defects – An incorrect label or insufficient warnings withhold important knowledge for the safe operation of table saws
Personal Injury Lawsuits
If your saw blade injuries are the result of another party’s negligence who is not your employer or the manufacturer, then you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. Our personal injury lawyers will work with you to establish negligence for your claim.
This could include coworkers, supervisors, other contractors, vendors at the site, or even passersby. You will need to show how your personal injury case meets the standards of a negligence action, which include duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and the existence of damages.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation claims are designed to provide for workers who are injured on the job. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you recover benefits that typically cover most of your wages and medical bills, as well as partial disability if applicable.
You could receive workers’ compensation for work-related table saw injuries, regardless of who was at fault. However, the benefits are limited to fewer damages, so if negligence is involved, it might be worth exploring a personal injury lawsuit instead.
Damages a Table Saw Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover
Whether your accident is caused by a defective table saw, poor training practices, or a reckless coworker, these machines are inherently hazardous. An injury could alter the course of your life and leave you with significant financial challenges.
Legal damages will determine the compensation you are eligible for, and a table saw injury lawyer from our firm will help you assess these economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are easier to calculate as they have values attached to them. They include lost wages; bills from medical costs, which could include multiple surgeries; loss of earning potential; and property damage. In a wrongful death claim, surviving family members can pursue loss of financial support and funeral expenses.
Non-economic damages are assessed based on the larger impact on your life following an incident involving circular saws. They include emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In a wrongful death claim, loved ones could recover compensation for loss of companionship as well.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Table Saw Injury Lawsuit
It is important to act quickly if you are considering filing a lawsuit following a table saw injury. Each state has a statute of limitations that dictates the time frame in which you can legally initiate a legal claim. Typically, this period ranges from one to three years, depending on the jurisdiction. Failure to file within this window may result in the forfeiture of your right to seek compensation.
There can be exceptions to these general time limits based on specific circumstances, such as the discovery of the injury at a later date or if the injured party was a minor at the time of the accident. To navigate these complexities and ensure that you do not miss critical deadlines, it is highly advisable to consult with a qualified attorney who has experience with table saw injury cases.
How Our Table Saw Accident Attorneys Can Help
Dealing with claims from table saw injuries can be confusing. It is crucial for you to consult with a table saw injury attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers as quickly as possible to build a strong case. To ensure the defendant is held accountable and you can fight the insurance companies, legal guidance from experienced lawyers is necessary.
There are many things we can do to support your claim:
- Speaking to witnesses about the incident
- Physically inspecting the product
- Consulting with knowledgeable experts
- Reviewing incident reports and medical reports
- Reviewing safety policies and procedures at the work site
Cost of Hiring a Table Saw Accident Attorney
Table saw accidents can do serious damage to various body parts, resulting in an intense recovery period and financial challenges. Our team understands the burdens you are facing, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis.
This means instead of receiving upfront legal costs from our clients, we only get paid if we win their cases. Our payment is then deducted from the settlement rather than from your pocket.
Contact Our Table Saw Accident Lawyers Today!
If you plan to pursue legal action against your employer, a coworker, or another party for your injury by a table saw or other power tools, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to guide you through the claims process, giving you a greater chance of winning. Our team has recovered millions for past clients, and with a contingency fee agreement in place, there is no financial risk for you to pursue compensation.
Get in touch with us today by calling 888-424-5757 or filling out the contact form.
Resources: [1] NPR – Safer Table Saws, [2] OSHA – Table Saw Guarding, [3] Science Direct – Epidemiology of Table Saw Injuries,