Table saw maker not to blame for man slicing his fingers

Great. A jury that is alive and kicking

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

This is a prime example of a frivolous law suit. Hope he has to pay all legal fees for defendant and all court costs.

-- Ciao, gth.

The guy should have to pay Delta’s legal expenses.

That’s one of the problems with the system… people sue because they don’t have much to lose, and they know they just might hit the jackpot.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Is that the way today!

No matter what happens to you and how carelessly you act- it’s always the fault of someone else. Thank goodness juries are beginning to realize that people have to be responsible for their own actions.

Thanks, Betsy.

Lew

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

I wish people would realize what reasonable doubt means as well.

Huh, interesting. Makes me wonder about what happened before the trial. Usually in a case like this the defendant will just try to settle beforehand, to avoid the cost of a trial. I wonder if this guy rejected whatever they offered because he thought he’d be able win more at trial.

I had a feeling that our society was starting to change and this type of lawsuit was going to become part of our past. Here is my proof—one step at a time, the people are saying “no more”. Thanks for sharing!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Woohoo, I am glad common sense prevailed here!

-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"

At last a verdict for common sense. At last the law gives no credence to the basic pricinple, that people owe themselves duty of care rather than demanding compensation for their own stupidity. I feel sorry for the chap who lost his fingers, but it was his fault not the saw design.

-- Keep your tools sharp, your mind sharper and the coffee hot

Maybe there’s hope for our legal system after all!

—-
I wil hold my tounge on this one. Yes that type of case is running our system to much. No back to hiding from the dog. :)

-- Owner of custom millwork shop

It was certainly interesting to see this case come up. I would like to have known what the pre-trial offers/demands were as well. It could be that Delta offered nothing. A lot of defendants are finally saying that they would rather take their chances at trial as opposed to saving money on legal fees by settling before trial. In other words, some defendants are saying, “I know if I settle now, even though we are not wrong, it will cost me less” but “if I take it to trial it may cost me more in legal fees but I have a good chance of winning the moral victory.” As I recall, Disney did this a number of years ago and actually got a reputation for not settling and taking every case to trial. It soon found itself with a lot less claims. When the plaintiff’s lawyers could not make a good buck on taking cases that would settle for very little effort, it was no longer profitable to take those little cases. So now when you see a case against Disney – you know there is probably some merit to it. Not that every case is a bad mark against Disney – just that a lawyer thinks he’s got a good chance of winning. There are several other corporations that are taking this hard line. Maybe Delta is one of them. A lawyer is not going to take a case on unless he/she thinks they will win – because they don’t make money unless they win. They make more money by settling without going to trial. Going to trial is a very expensive and risky proposition. It can be lucrative, but it’s expensive and risky all the same.
I’m rambling – sorry.

Long and short though – use your safety devices and if you loose a finger—- don’t blame the saw.

-- Like a bad penny, I keep coming back!

wow when i first read this i thought to myself, “hey wait a minute that’s like saying the gun manufacturer is responsible for me shooting myself in the foot because they designed the gun to hold bullets”.

thank goodness for a jury that used some common sense. hopefully next time the guy will use featherboards and a pushstick or some sort.

~isaac

-- "Repetition is a leading cause of carelessness, and carelessness usually leads to injury"

Um, there are people suing gun manufacturers for shooting deaths and violence.

Then there is this one.

Just do a google on gun manufacturer law suits and prepare to be amazed.

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

The thought of suing someone when I lost my left middle finger tip (back to the knuckel) to a table saw, never crossed my mind. I was using my employer’s saw (on my own time) when the accident happened. My fault, my error and my responsibilty. I sure do miss that finger tip though. I used to type 60 wpm, now about 15-20. Eight years later I lost my left thumb tip letting down my 35 hp boat motor. I was holding the motor forward with my right hand and manipulating the motor lock down lever with my left hand. The wake from another boat caused me to loose my hold with my right hand and the moter pivoted down catching my thumb tip between the motor and the transom mount. It cleanly sheared about 3/8” off my thumb. I still didn’t consider suing anyone. I sure felt stupid and have endured endless jokes about my digitary shortcomings. I actually enjoy the jokes but would never consider going before a jury to ask for money for my own stupidity.

Mart

I am a New Yorker born and raised here, and glad to see that their are still some good jury”s here. I thought they all left. We have to be accountable for the things we do. You can’t get a free ride when you screw up.
I am thinking of going to N. Carolina soon. In a couple of years. My wife is really starting to like the idea.

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY