Torin Jack Lawsuit Claims Defective Hydraulic Lift Sold at Walmart Failed, Crushed Man’s Hand

Georgia man incurred tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses after a Torin jack failed, crushing his hand and fingers.

A product liability lawsuit filed by a Georgia man alleges that a Torin hydraulic jack that he purchased at Walmart unexpectedly failed while in use, dropping a car onto his fingers and hands.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Brian Warner in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on September 15, naming Walmart Inc., Wal-Mart Stores East LP and Torin Inc. as the defendants.

Hydraulic floor jacks, like the Torin 2½ Ton Professional Low Profile Service Jack named in the complaint, use pressurized fluid to raise a steel piston capable of lifting vehicles weighing several thousand pounds. 

These jacks are engineered to hold massive loads overhead, meaning even a brief loss of pressure can cause a vehicle to come crashing down in an instant.

Hydraulic jack failures have been widely documented, including a 2020 Harbor Freight recall of nearly 2 million Pittsburgh-branded jacks, after reports they could suddenly collapse while holding vehicles, posing a risk of catastrophic injury or death to anyone working underneath.

In his lawsuit, Warner says his girlfriend bought a Torin 2½ Ton Low Profile Service Jack manufactured in 2017 from a Walmart in Georgia.

The complaint states that Torin is a U.S.-based importer and distributor of automotive jacks, marketing itself as the world’s largest jack manufacturer with more than 40 years of experience. 

Warner claims that on September 19, 2023, while using the Torin jack as intended, it suddenly failed and dropped the vehicle onto his hand and fingers, crushing them and causing severe injuries. He says he has already incurred more than $74,000 in medical expenses as a result.

“Mr. Warner sustained severe injuries and suffered permanent physical injury, pain, suffering, disfigurement, medical expenses, lost earnings, and other damages as a result of the defective Jack.”

— Brian Warner v. Walmart Inc. et al

The complaint claims Walmart and Torin were aware of the jack’s dangers, citing consumer reviews warning that similar Torin models had a history of “bleeding down” or collapsing under loads. Despite these warnings, and the availability of safer alternative designs, the companies allegedly continued to market the jack, placing customers at unnecessary risk.

Warner further claims that the danger extends beyond the operator, noting that a sudden jack failure could cause a vehicle to collapse without warning and seriously injure or kill anyone nearby, including children.

The complaint raises allegations of negligence against all defendants, breach of implied warranty against Walmart, and product liability against Torin.

Warner is seeking punitive damages and attorneys’ fees from the defendants, arguing that Georgia’s statutory cap on punitive damages does not apply to product liability cases, and since Torin’s conduct was allegedly willful and wanton, Warner should be granted an award sufficient to punish and deter similar future conduct.

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