The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently fined Generac Power Systems $15.8 million after multiple consumers experienced finger amputations while using its portable generators. The CPSC reports that Generac was first informed of the product’s defective handle in October 2018 when a consumer reported an injury from the handle, but the company did not report any injuries related to the generator until 2020. By the time Generac recalled the generators in July 2021, at least eight consumers had suffered amputations due to the defective handle.
The Minnesota Finger Amputation Attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella have helped many victims of finger and hand amputations obtain justice for their injuries. Finger amputations can occur from many defective products but defective machines such as Generac portable generators account for the great majority of these cases. Contact us today at 1-800-903-1643 for a free finger amputation lawsuit consultation.
Finger Amputations Caused By Defective Handle
Generac recalled over 325,000 generators in July 2021 due to a handle that did not contain a locking mechanism. When consumers carried the generator with the unlocked handle, the weight of the generator pinched fingers against the generator frame and caused serious injuries, including finger amputations and crush injuries.
The 2021 recall instructed consumers to stop using the generator until they received a locking pin to install on the defective handle. The locking pin creates space between the handle and generator frame to avoid crush injuries. However, Generac had to reannounce the recall in November 2022 after another injury was reported. At the time of the second recall announcement, at least 37 injuries related to the defective generator handle had been reported, including 24 finger amputations.
CPSC: Finger Amputations Avoidable
In announcing the fine, CPSC commission member Richard Trumka did not mince words in admonishing Generac for failing to report the handle issue upon first learning of it in October 2018. “Had Generac reported the hazard after the first amputation, which was required by law, seven consumers could have been spared irreparable injuries and severe trauma,” Trumka said.
In addition to the $15.8 million fine, the company must also file three years of annual reports documenting its compliance program, internal control systems, and internal audits of its compliance program and internal control systems.
Minnesota Finger Amputation Attorneys
The Minnesota Amputation Attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella have been representing victims of amputations for over 37 years. We understand the life altering consequences an amputation can cause. Aside from substantial wage loss and medical bills, amputations often require special lifestyle accommodations such as modifications to your home and vehicle. Most of all, victims of amputations suffer physical and mental anguish as they must learn to live without an important body part. If you or a loved one has suffered an amputation due to a defective product or someone else’s negligence, contact us today for a free amputation lawsuit consultation.