DeWalt, a major manufacturer of power tools, has issued a recall for approximately 1.4 million miter saws after issues were found with their rear safety guard. The guard can break off during use, which can strike the user or any bystanders, as well as expose the user to accidental contact with the saw blade. Anyone with an affected miter saw should cease use of the product immediately until the defect has been repaired.

What is DeWalt?

DeWalt is a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker, which manufactures power tools and hand tools for use in construction, woodworking, and manufacturing. The company employs approximately 13,000 people, and has an annual revenue of $5.37 billion, making it one of the largest tool companies in the world by revenue. While it is headquartered in the United States, it also has manufacturing plants in countries ranging from Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, China, Italy, and the Czech Republic.

What is the Problem With This Product?

The DeWalt miter saws, models DWS779, DWS780 and DHS790, are all manufactured with a rear safety guard that is intended to prevent the user from accidentally making contact with the saw blade while it is in use. This safety guard is not adequately designed, however, and there are now more than 500 reports of the safety guard breaking or detaching while in use, resulting in at least nine reported injuries. The recall was issued after the problem was identified and it was determined the saw would need to be repaired to be safe to use.

What is the Danger of This Product?

The danger posed by these miter saws is twofold. First, the safety guard itself may break apart or detach while it is being used, which can cause pieces to be flung at the user or bystanders, leading to injury. Second, because the safety guard is defective, it may not perform its intended task of stopping the user from making contact with the saw blade, thus leading to potentially serious lacerations.

What Should You Do?

If you have one of the affected models of miter saws, you should either contact DeWalt for a repair kit to fix the issue, or bring the saw into a DeWalt service center for a free repair. If you have been injured while using one of these saws, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should also contact a personal injury lawyer with experience handling defective products, who can help you with your case.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.