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
The pole saws were sold at Lowe’s stores and online at the company’s website from March 2017 through October 2019.
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:
This saw was sold from January 2014 through March 2020. It could be purchased in Lowe’s stores and from the Lowe’s website.
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.
How much someone gets in compensation generally depends on the extent of their damages. If a product caused you harm through no fault of your own, a product injury attorney can help you understand the claims process and what damages you may might ask for in a lawsuit against the manufacturer or other liable party.
Liability in Defective Product Cases
When you walk into a store to buy something you need, you don’t expect to be injured by it. No one should suffer injury from a saw, power tool, or other product that they bought to help them with a job or task. But sometimes manufacturers produce products that are poorly designed, made from subpar materials or not adequately tested. When this happens and people get hurt, the companies can be held accountable.
But bringing a product injury claim is a very complex undertaking. It must be carefully shown through the evidence that the product defect directly led to the injury and that the liable party was negligent. Large corporations have teams of attorneys with extensive experience defending against product injury claims. People who try to bring a product injury claim against a company without having their own legal assistance often face uphill battles.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced product injury attorney if you have been injured. Skilled attorneys with track records of success in handling product injury cases know how to take on big companies when consumers are injured.
Contact an Experienced Houston Product Injury Lawyer for Help
If you’ve been injured by a defective Kobalt saw or another dangerous product, the attorneys at the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant are ready to help you. We will carefully examine all the facts of your case, advise you about your options for filing a legal claim and guide you throughout the claims process. You shouldn’t have to face paying the financial costs from an injury when you were hurt through no fault of your own. We will fight for you. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced product injury lawyers by calling (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
