FD_Cox wrote:
This is just another example of how lawyers and our justice system can rule in the favor of stupidity!http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/25130/man-wins-big-money-in-tablesaw-lawsuit
These kinds of suits are common every time there is a technological improvement. The other articles mention airbags in cars kicking off a similar run of lawsuits, and when I worked for Boeing, I was part of a couple teams that worked on improvements to the airplanes as a result of new tech. An interior flammability issue, and an escape slide improvement, among others.
Any time a company improves their product you get the same thing. There's even a body of law that pertains, as well as various union rules, company policies, etc. Sometimes a company will keep a improved product off the market just to avoid the hassles. I'm pretty sure that's one of the reasons that Ryobi, etc. decided against it.
There are many thousands of similar examples - gun trigger locks, safetybelts, etc., etc. Once people get the notion they can be rewarded for irresponsibility the flood gate are opened. And there are some folks who do this sort of thing deliberately, along with platoons of lawyers who will take the case.
Btw, I fully expect there to be some suits filed to force similar tech to be incorporated in other power tools fairly soon. How about that router, bandsaw, planer, jointer, drill press, portable circ saw, dremel, scroll saw, etc., etc. They can all bite, right?