Ford’s recent filing of a $300 million RICO lawsuit against three California lemon law firms isn’t just shocking for its size—although, let’s be honest, it’s big. It’s troubling for what it says about our field and some of the law firms that may be exploiting consumers to line their pockets. Ford alleges that the firm padded time and inflated fees across thousands of cases, including with carmakers other than Ford. The Song-Beverly Act in California is a model for what I wish the North Carolina New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act could be—and what I think it should be—but not for this reason. Even as a plaintiff’s attorney, I can’t help but shake my head at these allegations, if true, and think of the harm these law firms are causing to consumers in California and across the country.
Lemon laws exist for a reason, and so do the fee-shifting provisions in them. They level the playing field for everyday car buyers going up against billion-dollar corporations. But when attorneys abuse these protections for profit, in the ways alleged in this complaint, it undermines all of us. Worse still, I believe it will undoubtedly invite suspicion and scrutiny into valid, hard-fought claims brought by honest attorneys on behalf of real people with real problems. I also think there is a real possibility of the pendulum swinging the other way—in favor of manufacturers who will use this lawsuit and the shadow it casts to avoid doing what they should to uphold the warranties they provide to their customers.
At the Norris Law Firm, we don’t operate that way. We carefully review your repair records, timelines, and warranty coverage, and work with you to document the issues as thoroughly as possible in an effort to resolve your case before filing suit. But filing suit is sometimes necessary—and there is no question that manufacturers know which attorneys will sue if needed, and which ones won’t. There are a lot of out-of-state lemon law mills that simply will not do so. They’ll take your case hoping for a quick settlement. If that can’t be achieved, and you aren’t happy with the lowball settlement offer made, they’ll cut you loose—wasting valuable time and resources.
This Ford lawsuit should serve as a wake-up call: cutting corners can ultimately harm the very consumers we are here to help.
If you think you have a lemon and want to know your real options under the law, call us today. I’ll take the time to look at your case the right way—no shortcuts.