A Texas man is suing the makers and sellers of a table saw that allegedly damaged his hand due to errors in design.
Rodney Allen, of Huntington, Texas, filed a lawsuit June 12 in Cook County Circuit Court against Sears Roebuck and Co., Techtronic Industries North America Inc., One World Technologies Inc. and Ryobi Technologies Inc., alleging strict product liability, negligence and breach of implied warranty.
According to the complaint, on June 20, 2013, Allen was injured by a Craftsman table saw that was designed, made, distributed or sold by the defendants. The lawsuit states the saw, model number 315.218050, is made with a defective blade guard. Specifically, the suit says the guard is difficult to remove and reattach; therefore, "it is common practice for users of the Craftsman saw to either assemble the saw without the guard or to remove the guard and leave it permanently off the machine while using the table saw."
The saw also does not contain a riving knife, the suit says, which contributes to kickback, nor does it contain flesh-sensing technology that stops a saw blade almost instantly after coming into contact with skin. As a result, the complaint states, Allen suffered a severe wound to his left hand, pain and suffering, plus medical expense.
Allen seeks damages of more than $50,000, plus costs. He is represented by attorneys Michael Cushing, of the Cushing Law Offices in Chicago, and Eric D. Pearson of Heygood, Orr & Pearson in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 15-L-6003.