Warning

Instructions these days have almost as many warnings as they do instructions and diagrams. I noticed just how ridiculous some of the warnings are while reading an instruction manual in class earlier this week. A Black and Decker air compressor instruction manual had a warning in it that told the user not to attempt to inhale the compressed air or put the tube in their mouth. I almost began laughing out loud. I mean seriously who is going to put an air compressor hose in their mouth and turn it on? 

I thought for a minute and realized exactly who would do such a thing. There are people all over the world looking to get rich through a lawsuit of some outrageous accusation. In addition to these people there are numerous "tv lawyers" that specialize in helping people like this win cases. This has become such an epidemic that millions of dollars must be spent by companies to create warning manuals that make their products lawsuit proof. I understand where some may push back and ask is the product really safe? I am sure there is an incident where some air compressor failed and someone was hurt. A company should most definitely be held responsible for this. I do not, however, believe a company should in any way be held liable for gross negligence of a consumer trying to make a million dollars by inhaling compressed air.

I believe the courts in which these cases are heard should have zero tolerance for criminals such as these. It is a classic example of people making a living by exploiting the government, but that is another topic for another post. In the meantime don't inhale air from an air compressor, but I trust that probably goes without saying.