Auto Defect Lawyer
Investigating Defective Car Jacks for injured plaintiffs
Changing a tire should be a routine task, but defective car jacks transform this simple maintenance into a life-threatening situation. Every year, collapsing jacks cause severe crushing injuries and fatalities when vehicles suddenly fall onto people working underneath them. These preventable tragedies often stem from design flaws, inadequate materials, or manufacturing defects that compromise jack stability under normal operating conditions.
For the last 40-plus years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated millions of recalls of automobiles and auto-related components and parts, including car jacks and ramps.
Some recalled car jacks have been sold with specific cars, and others sold individually. The dangerous products have one thing in common: they had safety-related defects or were not produced to federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Even with many years of quality assurance and lawsuits that target companies that market and distribute faulty products, many cars and auto parts make it to the American market only to be recalled because of defects. The majority of recalls for vehicle defects are ordered after only after a manufacturer is pressured by sustained injuries and legal action.
According to an article published in Forbes, thousands of people are seriously injured each year when using a car jack or similar type of hoist. The study cited in the article indicated that 40 percent of car jack failures occur while the jack is being used to lift the entire body of a vehicle off the ground, while 19 percent of car jack failures occur when the car is only partially being lifted for tire maintenance.
Around 18 percent of the jack failings were linked to pressure loss in the jack, which means the jack could no longer support the vehicle. Common injuries following car jack accidents include amputations, head and neck injuries, lacerations and crush injuries.
If you have been injured by an accident involving a car jack or ramp, and suspect a defective product, seek medical attention, and contact an experienced attorney.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Catastrophic Injury and product liability lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of consumer product liability and automobile defect cases.
Is My Car Jack Defective?
A good measure of an inherent defect is if a product fails to work in the manner for which it was intended. Even so, to prove a product is defective, the use of auto experts may be required.
Experts can investigate and determine the type of metal used, manufacturing process and design process. Products like car jacks can be defective as part of a defective design, a defective production process, or for inadequate labeling and instructions.
- Design & Manufacturing Defect: Jack stands and ramps can be defectively designed and liability can be imposed on the manufacturer. Manufacturing defects may exist where the product that came off of a manufacturer’s floor improperly assembled.
- Labeling Defects: Products can be deemed defective because of an improperly placed label, or a label that contains improper information. For example, if the car jack states that it has a weight capacity of 4,000 pounds and it can only safely hold 2,000 pounds, a lawsuit is warranted. Other defects can include inadequate instructions on how to operate the jack or does not state conditions or places.
Filing Defective Car Jack Lawsuits
As trusting consumers, we use common machinery and auto equipment and expect to remain safe. It is reasonable to expect everyday devices to work. However, when they fail and cause serious injury or death, the manufacturer or distributor that sells the devices may be held liable for damages.
Injuries resulting from a defective tire replacement machine can be devastating. Bone fractures, crush injuries, head and spinal injuries and orthopedic trauma can result. An experienced product liability and personal injury lawyer can assist in evaluating the causes of an injury. To build a strong product liability case, there must be evidence that the design of the car jack was defective or a manufacturing defect existed. The Lyon Firm works closely with design experts to trace the defect back to a design or manufacturing source.
Compensation can be awarded for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, as well as punitive damages against a company for disregard for the safety of consumers.
Common Defects in Automotive Jacks
Hydraulic jacks frequently fail due to seal deterioration that allows fluid leakage, causing gradual or sudden pressure loss. Even minor leaks can result in catastrophic collapse when the jack no longer maintains sufficient hydraulic pressure to support vehicle weight. Scissor jacks, commonly included with new vehicles, suffer from stripped threads, weak welding points, and metal fatigue that leads to structural failure during use.
Manufacturing shortcuts create additional hazards. Some companies use substandard metals that bend or crack under stress, while others skip critical quality control inspections. Design deficiencies include inadequate base plates that sink into soft ground, insufficient height ranges forcing users into dangerous positions, and lack of safety locks that prevent accidental lowering. Unclear instructions compound these problems by failing to warn users about weight limits, proper positioning, or the necessity of using jack stands for extended work periods.
ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
Recoverable Damages in Jack Failure Cases
Compensation encompasses all economic losses resulting from injuries. This includes emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, medical equipment, and future healthcare needs. Lost wages during recovery and diminished earning capacity when injuries prevent returning to previous employment also factor into economic damages.
Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, disability, loss of life enjoyment, and emotional distress. Catastrophic injuries that fundamentally alter victims’ lives warrant substantial compensation reflecting the magnitude of harm endured. Wrongful death claims include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for surviving family members.
Punitive damages may apply when evidence shows manufacturers acted with willful disregard for consumer safety. Concealing known defects, ignoring repeated complaints, or prioritizing profits over necessary design improvements can trigger these additional penalties meant to punish misconduct and deter similar behavior.