A table saw injury lawyer in San Diego from the Law Offices of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C. can help individuals who have suffered amputation, lacerations, or other serious injuries while working with a table saw pursue just compensation for their damages. Every year, many thousands of Americans are injured in table saw accidents, often suffering amputated fingers or hands, severe cuts or gouges, or broken bones, among other injuries. In spite of this high rate of injury and the serious nature of most table saw injuries, there are currently few safety measures in place to ensure the safety of table saws on construction sites or in our homes.
Construction Site Table Saw Accidents
By nature, construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces in California, so it follows that many table saw accidents and injuries occur on the job. According to the table saw injury lawyer team at our San Diego law firm, many injuries on construction sites are sustained when a table saw is used on a surface that is not totally level or when the safety guard is not in place. In workers’ compensation lawsuits, table saw operators who have been injured on the job can pursue compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and additional damages.
Table Saw Injuries and how to Prevent Them
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), quoted in a Los Angeles Times article, table saw accident injuries cost roughly $2.3 billion every year in the United States. In 2007 and 2008, the article states, 66,900 table saw-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms, and about 12% of those cases involved amputations. Some estimates claim that up to 1 in 10 table saw injury cases in the U.S. occur in California.
Most table saw injuries happen when the wood “kicks back”, or suddenly moves back towards the operator. This can cause the operator’s hands to move forward quickly, exposing them to the saw blade in motion. Among the most common table saw injuries seen in San Diego and throughout California are:
- Broken bones
- Amputation of fingers or hands
- Lacerations
- Gouges
- Head injuries
- Eye injuries
- Chest injuries
- Neck injuries
There are some steps workers can take to reduce the likelihood of a serious table saw injury. One brand of table saw, known as SawStop®, is equipped with a safety system that will actually stop the blade when it detects contact with skin. While this tool has been credited with stopping multiple potentially catastrophic injuries, however, it can be very costly. The CPSC received a petition in 2003 that SawStop® be required on all table saws sold to the public, but no ruling has been reached on that point. The agency did, however, pass a recommendation to begin writing new performance standards for table saws to reduce injuries in 2011.
Table Saw Brands and Distributors in San Diego
In San Diego, most private owners and construction companies purchase their table saws from retailers such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. Common brands of table saws found in San Diego include:
- Sears
- Ryobi
- Makita
- Kwikset
- DeWalt
- Bosch
- Skil
- Delta
- Grizzly
- Craftsman
Contact a Table Saw Injury Lawyer in San Diego
If you or your loved one has suffered a serious injury due to a table saw, an injury lawyer from the San Diego personal injury firm of the Law Offices of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C. can help you file for compensation. In a table saw injury lawsuit, you could be eligible to recover substantial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, permanent disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other potential damages. For more information, please contact a table saw injury lawyer in San Diego to schedule a free legal consultation.