A power tool can make demanding work faster and more efficient. Carpenters, contractors, and people completing projects at home regularly rely on tools for drilling, sawing, screwing, nailing, and other tasks. But when a power tool does not work as intended, the consequences can be serious.
After an injury, another problem may arise: questions about who was actually responsible for what happened. An injured person may be left wondering whether the accident was caused by the way the tool was being used or whether the tool itself was defective.
That distinction matters. At Rah Law, our power tool accident lawyers in Springfield represent people who have been injured because of faulty power tools. Our attorneys can help injured individuals understand their legal options when a defective product may have contributed to an accident.
If you have been injured by a faulty power tool in Springfield or another Missouri community served by Rah Law, you can contact our firm for a consultation.
Was the Accident Really Your Fault or Did the Power Tool Malfunction?
After an accident, it can be easy for attention to turn toward the person who was operating the tool. However, the fact that someone was holding or operating a power tool when an injury occurred does not automatically explain why the accident happened.
Power tools contain electrical components, switches, guards, and other features that are expected to function properly. A problem with one of those components may cause a tool to behave in an unexpected way.
Rah Law identifies several types of power tool malfunctions that can result in injuries, including:
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Inadequate safety shielding
- Overly sensitive “on” switches
The type of tool can also affect the way an accident occurs. For example, Rah Law notes that an automatic nail gun may unexpectedly backfire and discharge a nail toward the person operating it.
When a malfunction is suspected, it becomes important to look beyond the simple fact that the injured person was using the tool.
Why the Cause of a Power Tool Malfunction Matters
A malfunctioning tool is not necessarily the result of something the user did.
Rah Law explains that defects in power tools may arise from either the tool’s design or the manufacturing process. When a defect causes a power tool to malfunction, and someone is injured as a result, the manufacturer could potentially be held responsible.
This is why a power tool accident should not automatically be dismissed as user error.
A person injured by defective equipment may not know whether an internal electrical problem, safety component, switch, or another part of the product contributed to what happened. Determining whether there may be grounds for legal action requires looking carefully at the circumstances surrounding the accident.
A reliable attorney can provide information about the legal options that may be available when a defective tool causes an injury.
Why Legal Support Matters When Responsibility Is Disputed
When you are injured, dealing with questions about responsibility can add another layer of difficulty to an already stressful situation.
You may know that the tool behaved unexpectedly, but you may not know what caused that behavior. You may also be unsure whether the problem originated in the tool’s design, its manufacture, or another malfunction.
This is where legal guidance becomes important.
Our Springfield power tool accident lawyers focus on helping people who have been harmed by defective power tools. Rather than assuming that an accident occurred simply because of the person operating the equipment, our attorneys can help injured individuals explore whether a faulty product may be involved.
If the circumstances indicate that a defective power tool caused the injury, legal action may provide a way to pursue responsibility from the manufacturer.
Common Defects That May Be Involved in Power Tool Accidents
Not every defective power tool behaves in the same way. The problem may depend on the equipment, its components, and the nature of the defect.
Rah Law identifies several examples of malfunctions that can make power tools dangerous.
Faulty Electrical Wiring
Power tools depend on electrical components functioning as intended. Faulty wiring can create dangerous conditions for the person using the equipment.
Inadequate Safety Shielding
Safety shielding can separate a user from dangerous moving parts or other hazards. When shielding is inadequate, the person operating the equipment may be left vulnerable to injury.
Overly Sensitive “On” Switches
A power tool that activates unexpectedly can create an immediate danger. An overly sensitive switch may cause the equipment to turn on when the user does not expect it to.
Unexpected Nail Gun Malfunctions
Automatic nail guns demonstrate how quickly a malfunction can become dangerous. A nail gun that unexpectedly backfires may discharge a nail toward the person using the tool.
These examples also demonstrate why the circumstances of an accident matter. What initially appears to be an ordinary power tool injury may involve a defect in the product itself.
Design Defects and Manufacturing Defects Are Not the Same
When considering a defective power tool accident, it is useful to understand where the defect may have originated.
A design flaw concerns a problem with the way the tool was designed. A manufacturing flaw, on the other hand, arises during the process of making the product.
Rah Law recognizes both as potential sources of power tool malfunctions.
For an injured person, however, determining exactly where the problem originated may not be straightforward. The immediate concern is often simply that the tool failed to operate as expected and an injury occurred.
That is another reason to discuss the circumstances with an attorney rather than assuming there is no potential claim.
How Rah Law Supports People Injured by Faulty Power Tools
Rah Law represents people who have been harmed because power tools were poorly designed, improperly manufactured, or otherwise defective.
Our role begins with listening to what happened and helping you understand whether the circumstances may warrant legal action. If you want to hold a power tool manufacturer responsible for injuries caused by a faulty product, speaking with a Springfield product liability lawyer can help you better understand the options available.
Our firm offers consultation to people who have been injured because of defective power tools.
When Should You Contact a Power Tool Accident Attorney?
If a power tool malfunctioned and caused an injury, you do not need to determine on your own whether the problem involved faulty wiring, an inadequate guard, a sensitive switch, a design defect, or a manufacturing defect before contacting an attorney.
The important question is whether the tool may have failed in a way that contributed to your injury.
Speaking with our proficient power tool accident lawyers in Springfield can help you learn whether the circumstances may support legal action against a manufacturer.
Rah Law provides complimentary case evaluations for people harmed by defective power tools. This allows you to discuss what happened and learn more about your legal options.
Injured by a Defective Power Tool? Contact Rah Law
A power tool is supposed to help you complete a task, not expose you to an unexpected danger because of a defect. If a tool malfunctions and causes an injury, you should not assume that operating the equipment automatically makes you responsible for what happened.
The attorneys at Rah Law in Springfield help people injured by defective power tools understand their options and pursue manufacturer responsibility when appropriate.
If you or someone you care about has been injured because of a faulty power tool, contact Rah Law for a consultation with our Springfield power tool accident lawyers. Call us to discuss your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a power tool manufacturer be responsible for an injury?
Potentially. Rah Law states that when a power tool malfunction results from a design or manufacturing defect, the manufacturer could be held responsible for resulting injuries. Whether that applies depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
What kinds of power tool malfunctions can cause injuries?
Rah Law identifies faulty electrical wiring, inadequate safety shielding, and overly sensitive “on” switches as common types of power tool malfunctions. Different tools may also experience different problems.
What if I was operating the power tool when I was injured?
Operating the tool does not by itself explain why it malfunctioned. If the equipment was defective, the cause of the accident may involve the product rather than simply the fact that you were using it. A lawyer can help you understand whether legal action may be appropriate.
Can a nail gun malfunction lead to a power tool injury claim?
It may, depending on what caused the accident. Rah Law specifically notes that an automatic nail gun can unexpectedly backfire and discharge a nail toward its user. If a defective product caused an injury, discussing the circumstances with an attorney can help clarify your options.
What is the difference between a design defect and a manufacturing defect?
A design defect originates in how a product was designed. A manufacturing defect arises during the process of making the product. Rah Law notes that either type of flaw can contribute to a power tool malfunction.
Does Rah Law handle defective power tool cases outside Springfield?
Rah Law is located in Springfield, Missouri. Its website also lists Branson, Nixa, Republic, Ozark, Monett, Kansas City, St. Louis, and the Lake of the Ozarks among its service areas.
How can I speak with a Springfield power tool accident attorney?
If you or someone you care about has been injured because of a faulty power tool, contact Rah Law.