Have you bought a Kobalt® saw? If so, you should stop using your saw immediately because you could be seriously injured by it. Kobalt saws have been recalled for a “laceration hazard,” according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is the federal agency tasked with protecting Americans from dangerous products. The agency announced the recalls on September 23, 2020. The recalls involve more than a quarter-million saws that have been purchased by consumers throughout the U.S. beginning in 2014. These hazardous saws were sold exclusively by Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. They include various models of the Kobalt cordless electric pole saw and the Kobalt cordless electric chainsaw.
Defective Switches Led to Kobalt Saw Recall
Both types of saws can keep running when they are supposed to be off. For both saw types, the problem is with the switch mechanisms.Kobalt Pole Saw Recall
According to the CPSC recall notice, the switch on the pole saws can fail while under a heavy load, causing the unit to continue running after the user releases the trigger. So far, there have been 65 reports of the saws' continuing to run when they should have stopped running. The specific product name of the saw is the Kobalt 40-volt Lithium Ion 8-inch Cordless Electric Pole Saw. Following are the affected item numbers:- 796791
- 1083769
- 970801
- 812419
- 812424
Kobalt Chainsaw Recall
The Kobalt 40-volt Lithium Ion Cordless Electric Chainsaws can get stuck in the “on” position because of a switch problem. According to the recall notice put out by the CPSC, this has happened a reported 48 times. The models include:- KCS 120-07
- KCS 120
What You Should Do If You Own the Saw
The Consumer Products Safety Commission advises consumers to immediately stop using the saw and contact the distributor, Hong Kong Sun Rise Trading, Ltd., for a free repair. You can call the company at (855) 378-8826. Changzhou Globe Co. Ltd., of China, a manufacturer of tools, appliances, and other items, is the maker of the saws. Fortunately, there have not yet been reported injuries from these saws. Hopefully it will stay that way and nobody will be injured. People who are injured should report their injuries to the CPSC right away.Get Legal Help If You’ve Been Injured
If you’ve been injured by one of these saws, or if you know someone who has, in addition to reporting the injury, it’s important to get legal help. An attorney can advise you about what legal recourse you may have. People who have been seriously hurt by a defective product can potentially get compensation for their injuries through a legal claim. In addition to lacerations ranging from minor to severe, saws that malfunction can cause people to lose fingers or even limbs in the worst cases. Injuries can potentially be life-altering and cost victims thousands of dollars in medical expenses and other financial losses. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be held liable for these losses, depending on the circumstances of the case. In some cases, multiple parties may be held liable when dangerous products cause injuries.Damages that May be Claimed in Defective Product Cases
Damages are the losses that people suffer when they are injured due to the negligence of another party. The kinds of damages that may be asked for in product injury claims include:- Medical expenses for doctor, hospital, ambulance, and other bills
- Lost wages if your injury kept you off of work
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries were so severe you can’t work again
- Pain and suffering for physical pain and emotional trauma
- Reimbursement for the price of the product.