Osario case update from FWW

[phi1l]

No one has a problem with paying for air bags

I expect that if people knew what percentage of a new car cost was due to airbags (& the minuscule level of protection it adds over seat belts) air bags would be optional (and then disappear) in a flash.

[cwsmith]

In the beginning of their application, airbags were an option and they did disappear fast, only to be brought back by the government. I'm by no means against air bags or the sawstop, but I just wish the latter doesn't get pushed on us and have saw prices skyrocket because of it.

On the air bag issue, I've seen a few injuries caused by the bags themselves. Personally, I have a preference for seat belts and except for my first car (56') all others have had belts and have used them constantly.

The problem I do have with this particular accident case is that the manufacturer is being blamed for what (at least to me) seems to be a blatent misuse of the saw, with the safety guards purposely removed. While I feel sorry for the fellow, at the very most his employer should be charged with the responsibility and any lawsuits that might be justified (if the guy had NO experience whatsoever).

Unfortunately we have a society where too many people are quick to plead ignorance and pass all responsibility for their own negligence on to the company with the biggest bank account.

CWS

[Kristofor]

To relate it to the airbag analogy...

A guy is driving down the road in a car with a sunroof but no airbags. He's standing on the seat with his upper body outside of the car. He's using a stick to push on the gas pedal. He doesn't have the seat belt on. He runs into a brick wall and sues saying there should not only be front and side-impact airbags but also an airbag ring around the sunroof to capture and protect unrestrained motorists.

There is the possibility that a passenger following all the right guidelines and using all of the safety equipment could still be ejected, but the odds are much higher for bozo in the example above.

The technology exists to make the super-uber sun roof airbag... Should it be mandatory? Should it be mandatory if it would help 100 people per year? 1,000? 10,000?

I don't have the objective Saw-Stop answer because I don't think there is a singular objective answer. The answer depends on the assumptions and political beliefs people bring to the discussion...

[phi1l]

Not only should there be sun roof air bags, but the regular air bags should be "smart" enough to know not to go off & break the passengers legs.

[Bruce Cohen]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I, for one am getting really tired of all these BS lawsuits floating around. Of course, it's all of us that in the end pays for other peoples stupidity.

For example, if I was to put the barrel of my pistol in my mouth and pull the trigger, should my widow sue Colt for making a gun that will fire while in one's mouth.

This is why everything either costs so much or is made so idiot proof that it stops doing what it suppose to.

I am getting really pissed at the US judicial system.

Bruce

[dbhost]

Yeah, but I don't like those guys, either.

Thanks for stealing my thunder...

[Black wallnut]

To relate it to the airbag analogy...

snip
I don't have the objective Saw-Stop answer because I don't think there is a singular objective answer. The answer depends on the assumptions and political beliefs people bring to the discussion...

Emphasis added by me. For these reasons I think we should just move along. I respect the opinions of all that have posted even though I do not exactly agree with some of them. The thing that bothers me is that the inventer believes in wholesale adoption of his patents at all costs with out regard to fairness for his personal gain of profit. I simply do not like that approach. I think it is a casewhere if he had taken a different approach he might have made more in the long run. His adopt or else methods are what anger me. Then add into that that most injuries can be prevented IMHO by use of proper proceedure and OEM supplied safety devices. The fact that the injured in this case was someone's employee to me points the blame jointly with the employer and employee. I think the courts are in error placing any blame on Ryobi.

Again I feel we should just move along and stop discussing this case and saw stop all together as it quickly can become a political discussion with neither side changing the mind of their opposition. In other posts it has already distilled down to name-calling. Let this serve as warning further name-calling will be promptly deleted by the forum's staff! This includes calling names of those that are not members to include but not limeted to Osario, his employer, and Gass!