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Power tools usually don’t make me stop and stare, but recently I saw one that left me speechless.
It’s a table saw with new technology that stops the blade instantly when it comes into contact with human skin. It’s truly amazing.
A tool like this could prevent tens of thousands of injuries a year. But sadly, it’s hard to find these saws in stores anywhere. One of the main reasons is a fear of lawsuits.
Manufacturers are worried they’ll be sued if this technology doesn’t work every time. But, there’s also another reason.
In Massachusetts, a man sued a saw manufacturer after injuring himself on an ordinary saw. Even though his saw was safe when used properly, he claimed it was defective just because it didn’t have the flesh-sensing technology.
Amazingly, a jury agreed and awarded him more than $1 million.
Let’s be fair, safety innovations like this should be applauded. But to say a saw that cuts is defective is like saying a candle that burns is defective. It’s simply wrong, and this kind of lawsuit abuse is piling costs on American consumers.
Find out more, visit FoundationForFairCivilJustice.org.