On August 4, 2022, DeWALT Industrial Tool Company recalled nearly 1.4 million miter saws after receiving nine reports of laceration injuries. The rear safety guard on the power saw can break or come off, exposing the user and bystanders to potential injury from projectiles. In addition, without the protection of the safety guard, the user could suffer serious wounds by coming into direct contact with the spinning saw blade. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the miter saws were sold by numerous retailers, including Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Amazon, and hardware stores nationwide.
Miter Saw Recall Details
Including the nine reports of laceration injuries, DeWALT received a total of 571 reports of the rear safety guard assembly or components breaking or detaching. Below are the details of the DeWALT miter saw recall as listed on the CPSC website:
Recalled Product: DeWALT 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws
Product Appearance: The recalled miter saws have a yellow body with black accents and also the DeWALT logo. If your saw has a green dot on the nameplate or a black dot on the arm, it is not affected by the recall.
Model Numbers: DeWALT recalled miter saw models DWS779, DWS780, and DHS790. The recall only applies to units with date codes 2019 04 through 2022 04.
Number of Units: The DeWALT recall affected about 1,364,000 miter saws. (Around 118,600 saws were also sold in Canada.)
If you have a recalled miter saw, stop using it immediately and contact DeWALT for details on how to receive a free repair kit or to take your saw to a service center for a free repair. In addition, DeWALT is directly contacting all known purchasers of the recalled saws.
Other Recalled DeWALT Power Saws
A separate DeWALT saw recall in January 2022 involved about 8,500 DWCS600 18-inch corded chainsaws (date codes 2021 23-H5 to 2021 40-H5). The electric chainsaws can turn on when plugged in or remain running when switched off, posing an injury hazard to the user. Consumers with a recalled chainsaw should immediately stop using the product and contact DeWALT for a free replacement.
Defective Power Tool Lawsuits
Defective power tools can cause painful, long-lasting, expensive, and emotionally traumatic injuries. Defective power saws, in particular, can result in the amputation of a finger, loss of an eye, facial lacerations, nerve or tendon damage, and more. The miter saw alone causes an estimated 6,800 injuries a year, according to the WoodWorkers Guild of America.
If you have been hurt by a defective miter saw or another power tool, you may qualify to file a defective products lawsuit. The Boston products liability lawyers at Altman & Altman LLP have the skills and experience to successfully represent people injured by faulty power tools. We will evaluate your case and help you seek damages against any parties — manufacturers, designers, distributors, or sellers — who may be responsible for your injury. Contact us today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Massachusetts power tool injury lawyer.