Black+Decker class action claims string trimmer, edger can cause serious injury

Black+Decker class action overview: 

• Who: Black+Decker faces a class action lawsuit from plaintiff Graham Waldo. 
• Why: Several Black+Decker string trimmer and edger models have an auto spool defect that causes too much string to advance, causing the string to become a dangerous airborne projectile that can injure users and other bystanders, the lawsuit claims.
• Where: The Black+Decker trimmer lawsuit was filed in federal court in California.

Black+Decker is facing a class action lawsuit claiming that its string trimmer and edgers have an auto spool error that causes too much string to advance and turns the additional string into a dangerous projectile.

The lawsuit pertains to model numbers BESTA510 and GH900, which the Black+Decker trimmer lawsuit claims have the defective spool.

“As a result of the defect, too much spool can be advanced, and pierces of trimmer string can come loose during use and become airborne projectiles, posing a laceration hazard to users, as well as bystanders,” the Black+Decker lawsuit claims. “Such a design defect is extraordinarily dangerous and has rendered the Products unsuitable for their principal and intended purpose.”

Black+Decker refuses to recall trimmers, edgers, lawsuit claims

Lead plaintiff Graham Waldo claims that Black+Decker owes customers for actual injuries and economic damages.

Customers have a reasonable expectation that trimmers and edgers will be safe for users, the class action says. 

“Rather than recall the Products or even instruct users to place them away, Defendant continues to sell the products and market them as usable,” the Black+Decker class action claims. “In so doing, defendant places the blame and burden on parents for purchasing its dangerous products instead of shouldering any responsibility for the defect whatsoever. In other words, defendant is actively concealing the safety defect.”

A class action lawsuit last fall claimed that DeWALT Industrial Tool Co. and Stanley Black+Decker Inc. sold 12-inch sliding compound miter saws containing a dangerous design defect that causes their rear safety guards to potentially break or detach. 

Have you had issues using a Black+Decker trimmer or edger? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Alexander E. Wolf of Milberg Coleman Bryson Philips Grossman PLLC.

The Black+Decker class action lawsuit is Waldo v. Black+Decker Inc., Case No. 2:23-cv-08427, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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