CCA Attorneys Secure Maximum Jury Award Against Automotive Giant
Feb 5, 2020
Los Angeles, CA (Law Firm Newswire) February 5, 2020 – California Consumer Attorneys, P.C. (“CCA”) announced today that founding partner, Michael H. Rosenstein, secured a maximum jury verdict against the auto giant FCA US LLC (“FCA”) under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, better known as California’s Lemon Law.
Rosenstein, who has more than 25 years of experience litigating cases, served as lead trial counsel for plaintiffs Richard and Rosemary Nelson. On January 17, 2020, after less than an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs for the maximum damages allowed under the law, which amounted to full repurchase of the subject vehicle as well as a civil penalty of two times the repurchase amount.
Rosenstein stated, “I am proud of our result, but I am even more proud of our clients, who had the courage to stand up for their rights against a huge corporation like Chrysler.”
In 2013, the plaintiffs purchased a 2013 Jeep Patriot that was manufactured and warranted by FCA. The vehicle had severe engine and transmission defects that resulted in numerous breakdowns. Despite the vehicle’s dreadful history FCA refused to repurchase the vehicle. After several unsuccessful attempts to resolve their dispute with FCA directly, the plaintiffs were forced to file suit in the Los Angeles Superior Court in February 2018.
Upon filing, FCA denied all liability and aggressively litigated the case for nearly two years. Sadly, through the end of trial, FCA continued to stonewall the Nelsons and flatly refused to make a reasonable settlement offer. Eventually, the case came to trial on January 13, 2020, before the Honorable Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong. After five days of listening to the evidence, the jury found in favor of the plaintiffs for the highest amount allowable under the law.
“Manufacturers don’t always do the right thing,” commented Rosenstein. “Luckily, in California, we have strong laws in place to hold manufacturers accountable for their poor conduct.”
California Consumer Attorneys, P.C. is a Los Angeles, California-based Lemon Law firm and can be reached at www.thelemonfirm.com.
