Harbor Freight Recalls Drillmaster 18-volt Cordless Drills

Harbor Freight Tools, of Camarillo, California, is recalling 1.7 million Drill Master 18-Volt cordless drills because an internal switching mechanism can become stuck in the “ON” position and overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

Harbor Freight Tools has received 25 reports of the drill switch overheating, including six reports of burns to the hands and fingers, and five reports of minor property damage. They were sold at Harbor Freight Tools stores nationwide, in the company catalog, and online at www.harborfreight.com between May 2011 and September 2015 for about $35 for item number 68239 and $46 for item number 68287.

68239	68287

The drills are black with a red switch and were sold with an 18 volt rechargeable battery pack. Item number 68239 was sold individually and item number 68287 was sold as part of a kit, which included a flashlight. The flashlight is not included in the recall.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled drills and return the unit to the nearest Harbor Freight Tools store to receive a replacement. Or contact Harbor Freight Tools at 800-444-3353 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or online at www.harborfreight.com. Consumers can also email Harbor Freight Tools at recalls@harborfreight.com.

As consumers in the United States, when we purchase a product and bring it home, it is reasonable to expect the product will perform as intended and do us no harm.

Due to less stringent trade policies, the safety of products in this country has been compromised in many cases. A defect in design or manufacturing or a lack of warning in regards to possible dangers can be viewed as product liability and brought to court.

Product liability laws vary from state to state but generally favor the consumer. Manufacturers place warning labels on packages in an attempt to reduce the amount of liability the company may assume.

Strict liability defects are categorized as three types:
Manufacturing Defect – This applies to a product that was well designed but manufactured in a way that makes it unsafe. It could be a result of using substandard material, faulty or unspecified parts.

Design Defect – The general overall design was unsafe leading to an entire line of unsafe products. This can be the product itself or the packaging. For example, a sharp blade not protected within the package causing injury when being opened.

Insufficient Warnings – The product may be free of any defects or design flaws but there were incomplete or nonexistent operating instructions or warnings to alert the consumer of possible hazards.

The courts have generally seen strict liability as something worked into the cost of a product, which is factored in by manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. All of these entities can be the responsible party in a product liability case.

The types of damages that may be awarded in product liability cases may include compensatory damages for:
Medical Bills – Medical bills both past and future including the emergency room, hospital stays, medical specialists, transportation to and from medical facilities, rehabilitation and physical therapy

Property Damage – Any damage caused by a product to personal property

Loss of Income – Lost time at work, inability to perform ones occupation, retraining for a new occupation, loss of lifetime income for being forced into a lower paying occupation

The Foundation for a Solid Product Liability Case
The manufacturer, supplier, and retailer may each be responsible for the injury caused by a particular product. If a manufacturer warns the supplier and, in turn, the supplier warns the retailer and the warnings are ignored, your product liability lawyer may decide to hold all three responsible for your injury or property damage.

To be successful in a product liability case you must present your attorney with the product, proof of where it was purchased and any instructions and directions that were included with the product.

In addition, you should have a record of all medical attention you received, property damage receipts as well as any details describing when, where, and how the accident occurred. Also the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Miller Weisbrod, LLP is a personal injury law firm with extensive experience in product liability. Call (214) 987-0005 today for a free case evaluation.