Got a Gas-Powered Lawn Mower? There’s a Class Action Settlement…
April 6th, 2010. By AbiK
UPDATE 1 (4/8/10): Editor’s Note – A number of you have had difficulty in going to the LawnMowerClass.com site; click on this link and you should get to the correct page.
UPDATE 2 (4/9/10): For those of you who are having difficulty identifying the ID numbers, the information can be found here for each brand, model or make of lawnmower involved. Please do not submit a claim form to LawyersAndSettlements.com–we are not the claims administrator; you need to go to the website above to submit your claim.
As you’re out there getting the lawn ready for another summer season, take a look at your gas-powered lawn mower. You may be a part of the Lawnmower Class Action.
Yes, there is such a thing and we reported on the lawsuit when it was first filed. And a notice of proposed settlement just landed in my mailbox today.
Here’s what you need to know…
If you purchased a gasoline-powered lawn mower with an engine up to 30 horsepower for your own use between January 1, 1994 and April 12, 2010—yes, the class period is like sixteen years—then you may be eligible to submit a claim for up to $35 for a walk-behind mower or $75 for a riding mower. You may also receive extended warranty benefits.
Note—the lawn mower class action lawsuit is not about lawn mower safety. At issue is that the plaintiff claimed the defendants—American Honda Motor Co. Inc., MTD Products, Sears Roebuck & Co., Sears Holding Corp., Kmart Holding Corp., Deere & Company, Tecumseh Products, TecumsehPower Co, Platinum Equity LLC, Briggs & Stratton Corp., Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. USA, The Toro Company, Husqvarna Consumer Outdoor Products, N.A. Inc. (including Electrolux Home Products, Inc.) and the Kohler Co—misrepresented and overstated the horsepower of their lawn mowers and lawn mower engines.
Basically, it’s a case of consumer fraud.
And I’m guessing there’s quite a few folks out there who can potentially submit a claim for this one.
Here’s what you need to do…
If you want to include yourself in the Lawnmower Class Action settlement, you’ll need to submit a claim form. You can do so online at LawnMowerClass.com.
You will need the following information from your lawn mower:
-
Lawn Mower Brand (Deere, EHP, Honda, Husqvarna, MTD, Sears, Toro)
-
Lawn Mower ID Number
-
Lawn Mower Engine Brand (Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kawasaki, Kohler, Tecumseh, Toro)
-
Lawn Mower Engine Model Number
The deadline to submit a claim form is August 31, 2010.
Other key dates are:
Deadline to exclude yourself from the settlement: June 4, 2010
Deadline to file an objection to the proposed settlement: June 4, 2010
Court hearing to approve the settlement: June 22, 2010
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Where can I get a claim form to fill out?
Hi Tom, Go to LawnMowerClass.com…you'll see a tab at the top for a link to file a claim.
1. Toro Brand 2. Model# 20334, Serial# 290011599 3.Briggs & Statton 4. 120000 (lawnmower engine model Number)
Hi Donald, In order to file a claim, you do need to go to LawnMowerClass.com…you’ll see a tab at the top for a link to file a claim.
Why is the burden put on ME to get my name off of this bull sh-t suit? I couldn't care less about the f-ing HP rating on my mower- the damn thing works and has worked for over 6 years. I resent these scum bag lawyers using my name on such a bullsh-t case and their putting the burden on ME to be excluded. As far as I'm concerned, these scam artists are fraudulently claiming they represent me when at no time did I ever enter into such an agreement. THIS is a clear example of why I HATE lawyers- they are all self centered, greed driven scumbags!
Hi Ragu, Thanks for your comment and you're certainly entitled to your opinion; likewise, you can simply choose to do nothing–it's your choice whether you elect to "officially" exclude yourself from the Lawn Mower class action settlement. The whole point of a class action is to include all possible members of the class who may have been affected by the lawsuit–and remember, there can't be a lawsuit–or lawyers involved–unless there is a plaintiff. Being included as a potential member of a class in a class action lawsuit doesn't mean you're obligated to do much of anything…assess your own situation and do as you see fit.
I like a form to fill out during taht time I have had 5 lawnmower from sears
Hi Anthony, You can go to LawnMowerClass.com…you’ll see a tab at the top for a link to file a claim. You'll be happy to know that you can submit a claim for multiple lawn mowers–and it sounds like you'll need to!
thank you anthony r
Craftsman Rotary Lawn Mower
Briggs and Stratten Engine
Model # 917.377661
Serial # 051303M011104
Hi Ira, You'll need to go to LawnMowerClass.com…you’ll see a tab at the top for a link to file a claim. Include all the info you have here…
i have three mowers within this time frame…still have them..what
form is needed to add the serial numbers?
Hi Earl, You have to go to LawnMowerClass.com…you’ll see a tab at the top for a link to file a claim. There are instructions once you click on that link for how to locate the appropriate model ID numbers on your lawn mowers.
I would like to file a claim but there is no tab for me to enter to get a file claim. Help!!!
Hi Stanley, When you're at the website LawnMowerClass.com, look at the top right of the screen, you’ll see a link for “Making a Claimâ€â€“that’s what you click; when that page opens, you’ll see a link that says “Submit a claim online here†and you’ll also see a link for “Download the claim form hereâ€; usually it’s easiest to submit the claim online and print a copy for your records. Hope this helps, -Abi
I need to find a claim form online, I have gone to LawnMowerClass,com as the admin has told Tom and Ira to do
and have not been sucessful in finding the tab at the top of the
link to file a claim.
Hi Bruce, At the top right of the site LawnMowerClass.com, you'll see a link for "Making a Claim"–that's what you click; when that page opens, you'll see a link that says "Submit a claim online here" and you'll also see a link for "Download the claim form here"; usually it's easiest to submit the claim online and print a copy for your records. Hope this helps, -Abi
seettlement in thisclass action sue included john derrre
Hi Limmie, Yes, Deere lawn mowers are included in the Lawn Mower Class Action lawsuit settlement; for more details and to file a claim, go to LawnMowerClass.com
I have a snapper mower with a 14hp briggs &stratton engine on it that was purchased during this time period.This motor is giving trouble and knocking.Does this mean that I should not continue to use it if it is about to blow up.Does it mean that it is now covered by an extended warranty if it does? If it does blow up will the engine be replaced at no cost to me? What do think I should do? Should I use it or not?
Hi Tommy, I can't exactly guide you on whether to use your mower with the Briggs & Stratton engine–if you have doubts, don't use it; as for the model and the time period, it sounds like you can at least submit a claim–simply go to LawnMowerClass.com; at the top right you'll see a link for "Making a Claim"–that'll point you in the right direction. As for the extended warranty, the lawn mower class action FAQ state this with regard to Briggs & Stratton engines: In addition, Briggs & Stratton, Toro or Tecumseh will provide a one year extended engine warranty to Class Members who currently own a lawn mower with an engine manufactured and originally warranted by Briggs & Stratton, Toro, Tecumseh, or TecumsehPower.
Yes I want to be include in this action
Hi Paul, In order to be included in the Lawn Mower class action settlement, you need to go to LawnMowerClass.com; in the upper right, you'll see a link for "Making a Claim"–click that and you'll see instruction on how to submit your claim. Hope this helps.
please send me the paper janet h
Hi Janet, In order to get the form to fill out to submit a claim, simply visit LawnMowerClass.com; once at that website, there is a link in the upper right that says "Making a Claim"; click that link–you'll come to a new page where you'll see "Submit a claim online here"–click there and you'll find instruction on how to fill out the claim form online.
I have a snapper mower with a briggs & stratton engine that was bought during this time period.I am having trouble with the engine knocking and sounds like it about to go.Does this mean that they are going to give me a extended warranty? Does it mean that I should not use it anymore until I get an extended warranty in case it blows up?If it does blow up are they going to replace the engine at no expense to me? What do you recommend?
folks, i hope you are having more luck finding this tab at the top
i guess my computer isnt in english…..it doen not say click here
etc…..still cant find the tab……….anyone else having problems ??? im ready to call it quits…earl
Hi Earl, When you're at the Lawn Mower class action site, LawnMowerClass.com, at the upper right, look for the words "Making a Claim". Click on that. That will bring you to a new page where you can then click on the words "Submit a claim online here". Click on that and you will be guided on how to fill out a claim form online.
I have had some gass Lawn Mower, I like the gass Mowers a lot better than the Elc.and I try to get Hi Horsepower that I can get.Mr.Ralph H. Y. of Ohio.
i was so discussed with looking for the address
i just called you instead…
Hi Gail, In order to get the form to fill out to submit a claim, simply visit LawnMowerClass.com; once at that website, there is a link in the upper right that says “Making a Claimâ€; click that link–you’ll come to a new page where you’ll see “Submit a claim online hereâ€â€“click there and you’ll find instruction on how to fill out the claim form online.
Wake up America… This is not a valid reason for a class action lawsuit. What are the damages? Who has been injured? This is absolutely absurd and it will cost us all if this becomes a new precedent in frivolous lawsuits.
While misrepresenting the HP of a product is indeed wrong, it is by no means reasonable cause for such a class suit. These lawyers are opportunists, using other opportunists to make money. This will not give us better lawn mowers or more justice in the marketplace.
If you have a lawnmower and it does the job it is intended to do, why on earth would you feel entitled to $35 because the machine is a few horse power short of its claims. Guess what… most of your cars have inaccurate HP ratings as well, lets all sue America into oblivion. Lobby for better standards if you are that concerned. I guarantee 99 percent of you couldn't tell the difference between a machine operating at 30 HP and one at 27 HP. Most people don't even change the oil or sharpen the blade when you need to, that drastically reduces performance.
You will damn us all for pocket change while lawyers continue to distort and abstract justice till it serves no one but them.
WAKE UP!
Hi Dave, Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you've mentioned that folks should "Lobby for better standards if you are concerned". That is actually one of the outcomes of the Lawn Mower Class Action Lawsuit. To quote the proposed settlement, the settlement provides "an agreement by certain Defendants to a new “Certified Power Rating†standard to provide disclosure and to create uniform testing for the power of gasoline-powered engines incorporated into lawn mowers." New (ie, "better") standards are a part of what's to be in store. Now, whether or not you feel the class action as a whole is frivolous, well, that's your call. Quite frankly, when someone is selling me something that's less than I've agreed to pay for, and they've seemingly been profiting from their deceptive promotional tactics, then I'd like to see them called on the carpet. Sadly, it is often very difficult to achieve that in the absence of a class action. A more frivolous lawsuit was the classic McDonald's spilled hot coffee one of years ago: excuse me, but isn't coffee supposed to be hot? And I don't think McDonald's ever advertised the temperature of its coffee or that it was in reality "lukewarm". This is different–the product paid for was not the product advertised. Your point, however, on lawn mower maintenance is well-taken. -Abi
The $35 you may think you are entitled to will only come out of the paychecks and benefits of the plant workers who assemble the machines. Those responsible for the misrepresentation will suffer no consequence, and the lawyers will make millions off of an absurd abstraction of justice!!!!!
Has this CAL been won yet? Or do you need our names for some sort of petition for leverage to win this?
Hi Jason, Yes, this class action lawsuit already has a proposed settlement–no need for any petition or collection of names. The proposed settlement can be seen in full at LawnMowerClass.com. Should you be a member of the class and wish to submit a claim, you'll need to go to LawnMowerClass.com; once at that website, there is a link in the upper right that says “Making a Claimâ€; click that link–you’ll come to a new page where you’ll see “Submit a claim online hereâ€â€“click there and you’ll find instruction on how to fill out the claim form online.
As I read it…and I may be wrong… every major manufacturer of Lawnmowers have been implicated in this conspiracy to advertise based on peak output HP rather than net output HP. While misleading it does not affect the "perceived" performance of a machine verses another machine if every manufacturer is following the same bogus rating. The rating becomes relative. If a Briggs and Stratton or a Kawasaki or a Honda engine all tell me they are operating at 30 HP but they are all really operating at 27 HP what does it matter? They are ALL doing the same thing. Granted there are objective consumer standards set by the likes of consumer reporting agencys, it doesn't matter if every manufacturer is using the same calculation, which appears to have been the case. Nearly no one achieves optimum (average) mpg in their car and yet auto manufacturers advertise them on the sticker of every car on the lot. So long as they all follow the same skewed rating what does it matter? We have traditionally compared cars to cars not to some abstract perfection. While this is an imperfect example as I am comparing efficiency to power I think it still reflects my point. From that perspective this is no less frivolous or opportunist than the McDonalds lawsuit. The difference and the greater damning this represents is that this is a class action suit that seeks to include a "class" of people and convince otherwise satisfied customers of some abstract injustice against them or rather to entice them with some pocket change so the advocating law firm cashes in on the big money representing the "class".
While we perhaps need better accountability in the market place for efficiency and power ratings… this is not the way to go about it. I like the "certified" power rating standard… but as a consumer I do not feel entitled to $35 after my lawnmower has performed its duty just fine (for up to 16 years) and I was none the wiser that it was operating 10% less HP. My lawnmower hasn't hurt me. Had I not got a card in the mail telling me I was entitled to this, I would have not have considered suffering a minute of perceived consumer victimization. If everyone started calling yellow, blue. Yellow would still be yellow, it would just be called blue.
Greed is Greed by any name.
Hi Dave, Yes, I agree with what you're saying–but you have to understand what the lawsuit was about–it was not about product performance relative to a class of similar products. I, too, am happy with the performance of my lawn mower irrespective of what the hp rating was (as advertised) when I purchased it. And I don't really care about getting $35. The issue is that if the hp is actually 27, put 27 on the labelling and advertising for it. Not 30. This class action was about consumer fraud–in how the product is represented to the consumer via its label, packaging, POS information, advertising etc. I'm sure every one of those lawn mowers operated just fine–but that is not what was at issue. And thankfully, the safety of those mowers was never an issue either. For this specific case, ie, lawn mower hp ratings, I'm sure it really doesn't matter to most folks whether the label was "off" by a few hp. Unfortunately, with some other classes of product, being a little "off" in the labelling can potentially be a bit more detrimental to the user; case in point from last year was Gaiam and Sigg water bottles–you're starting to see a lot more attention given to the presence of and safety of BPA; both companies had advertised water bottles that they stated were bpa-free–but independent tests had shown otherwise. We don't clearly know the full impact of BPA in such products yet, but the FDA is concerned enough that it changed its stance on bpa earlier this year. Standards are standards and where they exist, they need to be upheld in advertising and labelling; where they do not exist, they need to be put in place. Regardless of whether you file a claim for $35 (or $75), object to the settlement, exclude yourself from it or simply ignore it, at least it appears some standards will be put in place. I appreciate your comments–I'm sure many share your perspective.
unbelievable
is the model number for a mower the same as the lawn mower id number
Hi Rob, When you're at the LawnMowerClass.com site, when you click on "Making a Claim" (upper right) you'll come to the page with the link "Submit a claim online here"; click that. You'll get a page that will guide you through where/how to locate your Lawnmower ID number and the Engine Model Number for each make of lawnmower involved. Hope this helps.
I purchase two walk behind mowers. How do go about beening part of class action suit.
Thank-you
Hi Dave, You need to go to LawnMowerClass.com and submit a claim form. Go to the website, and click on "Making a Claim" in the upper right of the screen. You'll see instructions from there on how to submit your claim for both lawn mowers.
To Ragu M: Thank You, I couldn't of said it better! When I got the card today I said to my wife just about the same thing. What a bunch of crap!
There is no link "making a claim"-now what do I do?
Hi Beverly, In the upper right of the screen at LawnMowerClass.com, you'll see in orange-colored text the words, "Making a Claim". That is the link –click it–it will take you to a page where you'll see the words, "Submit a claim online here"–click on that and you'll see further instruction on how to submit your claim.
You say to go to LawnMowerClass.com and I am here !! There is no link to get a claim form !! Why don't you put it here instead of all of the replys and complaints from people who can't find the link !! It isn't that hard people to just have the form on this webpage so people can print it………Give us a break eh ?
Hi Dorothy, As I just responded to Charles, here's the link–I've tried everything you've tried and I'm not sure why you're getting different results; let me know if you find the info.
I agree with several others. I am on the LawnMowerClass.com web site and there is no "Making a Claim" link at the top of the page. At the top of the page is "Lawyers and Settlements.com The Blog." No mater how many times I search for LawnMowerClass.com this is the page that comes up. The headings at the top of the page are: Home – Hot Legal Articles – New Articles – Emerging Issues – Lawsuits Filed – Settlements – State Law But no "Making a Claim." What am I doing wrong? I am sure I have several lawnmowers that were purchased during this time period but can not find the claim form.
Hi Charles, I’m not sure what everyone’s doing–when I input the website, with or without the “www.” in front, I get the correct site–also when I google it I get the correct site, but when eight people tell me I’m drunk, well, I lie down! This is the link you need to go to for LawnMowerClass.com; let me know if it works!
There is no link for a claim form at the top right of the page.
Hi Achille, Go to this link, it should bring you to the right page
Thank you for your reply. I have just gone back to the top of the page and there is an [Editor's Note: A number of you have had difficulty in going to the LawnMowerClass.com site; click on this link and you should get to the correct page.]
I did this and now I am able to receive the correct page and then the "Making a Claim" link is listed and I was able to obtain the claim form.
Again, thank you for your help.
Hi Charles–great, glad we could help!
i have had a riding mower and a push mower both sears models in this time peroid.they both quit running at all most the same time. and of course the warranty had just ran out.i got rid of the mowers and i swear i will never buy another sears product.when i got rid of the mowers i also got rid of the paperwork.so i guess i am out in the cold as far as putting in a claim.i just want people to know sears makes a bad lawn mower in my opion.
I want to opt-out of this suit. Larry P
Hi Larry, You can certainly opt out of the Lawn Mower settlement–simply go to the link at the top of this blog post and you'll be able to do so there.
i by this lawn mower 2003 since the time we always send to fixed so 2 or 3 times i send to fixed. i expend like 90 dollars know i understand wy. thanks Jennie C
Hi Jennie, In order to submit a claim for the Lawn Mower settlement, you'll need to go to the link at the top of this blog post; from there, click on "Making a Claim" in the upper right and you'll find instructions on how to fill out a claim form online.
I purchased a riding mower covered by the settlement during the time frame covered, but have since sold it. Do I have recourse to a claim? How would I handle the required information in that case. Thanks.
Hi James, Well now, there's a good question! Unfortunately, my guess is that if you no longer have the mower you probably can't submit a claim–unless of course you can physically see the mower wherever it is now in order to get the necessary ID numbers. Short of that, not sure how you can submit a claim…
need a form to fill out.
Hi Minelba, If you click on the link at the top of this blog post (the link in the Editor's note at top) you'll be directed to the Lawn Mower settlement website where you can submit a claim. The form you'll need can be found by clicking on "Making a Claim" at the upper right of that website. The instructions are fairly straightforward from there. Hope this helps.
Is the lawnmower ID number the serial number or the model number?
Hi Roger, The website for the Lawn Mower settlement (shown at the very top of this blog post in the editor's note) has instructions on where to find the necessary information in order to submit a claim form. If you go to that website, and click on "Making a Claim" you can follow the directions from there and you'll get to a page where there is information on how to locate your machine's ID number and the engine ID.
Yeehaw! Free Money! Damn right I'm making a claim. After having to replace the throttle control cable, drive belt, and any number of other plastic and inferior parts on my Sears walk-behind, the $35.00 might just make me whole.
Hey, as long as their not suing me or needlessly suing the government over the word God, lawyers don't bother me.
Hi R A, Well said…well said…
I have already been to the site and located the numbers on my TORO lawnmower. I have a serial number and a model number. I need to know which of those is considered the lawnmower ID number. Do you know?
Hi Roger–Once you’re at this page on the LawnMowerClass.com site, you’ll find instructions (see the “Guides for finding your lawnmower numberâ€) on how and where to locate the necessary ID numbers; if you have further questions beyond that, simply call or email the administrator (the folks who put up and run that settlement site) and they can guide you further.
IMPORTANT: To file your claim you will need to know your Lawnmower Brand and ID Number along with the Engine Brand and Engine Model Number.
So…is the ID Number the Lawnmower's Model # or Serial #?
Hi Ken, Once you're at this page on the LawnMowerClass.com site, you'll find instructions (see the "Guides for finding your lawnmower number") on how and where to locate the necessary ID numbers; if you have further questions beyond that, simply call or email the administrator (the folks who put up and run that settlement site) and they can guide you further.
I purchaced 2 John Deere's riding tractors in 2006 brand new. Do I need to file 2 seperate claims?
Hi Max, From what I could tell from the claim forms on the LawnMowerClass.com site, you should be able to submit both mowers on the same claim. Worst case, for a potential of $150 for ride-on's, filliing out two forms isn't really much effort…
A long time ago I had a lawyer call me when I sold my home and told me I may be entitled to money? I was entitled to money because the bank I had my loan through did not have my house marked as payed in full and off of my credit rating. So this lawyer wanted to sue the bank for this? I think in my opinion that you LOOK for ANY reason to sue. Glad all of you are participating in the lining the pockets of BIG LAWYERS. Remember the businesses you are taking money off of employ you.
Hi Debbie, Thanks for your comment; Number one, if a lawyer calls you, there's usually something awry. Most lawyers worth their salt will not engage in such tactics. You can also read my response to the reader, Jimmy, re: what this lawsuit was about and the kind of work "big lawyers' do. In terms of your comment about the "businesses you are taking money off of employ you", well, if we wanted to live in that kind of pollyanna world, I guess we wouldn't need unions either now would we? (and, let me go on the record that I'm not always pro-union…). You may wish to check out some of the Employment issues our readers talk about…
You should choose your battles wisely, not sue for anything under the sun! I think a new sticker for everyones mowers with 27 horse power would have worked!
Hi Debbie, Thanks for your suggestion, but I'm guessing that given the option of a new sticker or a check for $35, well, most folks may go for the $$…
Is all the hoop jumping really worth $35.00? By the time it is received if ever it will be long forgotten , and probably disguised as junk mail that the recipient will throw away
Hi John, Well, considering it takes about 15 minutes tops to look at your mower and plug the numbers into the claim form (along with the requisite address info etc), that works out to about $140/hour–tax-free–if you're talking a push lawnmower. Quite frankly, that's a decent payout for minimal work; granted, it belies the premise of the lawsuit which is that the claimants overpaid in the first place…but hey… Oh, and by the way, it doesn't come disguised as junk mail–it actually looks like a check–you know the kind–with those perforated sides that you have to pull off first, then the check's inside…
What about other small engine machines such as snow blowers, portable generators, power washers, etc. that use these same engines?
Hi T. Mohan, Good point; unfortunately out of the scope of this lawsuit…
This is all "Such A Crock of S____". SomeONE had to start all this crap and I will bet my last nickel that it was a LAWYER! I am an experienced Engineer and I can assure the WORLD that NO ONE can tell the difference between a 20HP and a 25HP engine while simply cutting grass! I would really love to know how this all really started.
I have two mowers, both Cub Cadet but one has a B&S and the other has a Kohler engine. Both work great and I have had both for over 5 years and each has 500+ hours, as I cut about 6 acres for the duration of each summer. I pulled my manuals and BOTH acknowledge that Actual HP is affected by Altitude, Barometric Pressure, Humidity, Fuel quality, Lubrication, Engine speed, Air Cleaner, Exhaust Port Cleanliness, and Engine Cooling.
These Sleezbag Lawyers must be really hurting, when one considers all the wrongs that exist in this country and the fact that they choose to spend their time on the questionable Horsepower rating of LAWNMOWERS. Get a LIFE Guys!
Hi Jimmy, Let me start by thanking you for not making me have to edit out your expletive–truly appreciated. Having said that, I had responded to another reader's comment about the issue of consumer fraud. Yes, you are absolutely correct that the average Joe would not know the difference between 20HP or 25HP if it knocked him in the head. And yes, someone with a clue–I doubt it was a lawyer as if you think they have a clue about Lawn Mower HPs, well, I'd suggest they quit their day jobs–but someone did the research on it and found a gap between what was labelled and advertised vs. what was actually recorded in performance. Now, with a lawn mower, big effing deal (I self-edited there)–but the issue is consumer fraud; and, as I pointed out to the other reader, with a mower the damages are next to nil; with quite a number of other fraud and deceptive advertising lawsuits, the damages can be much worse–think Hydroxycut, BPA in water bottles, etc.
Additionally, while I can see your perspective on the lawyers who took this case–ie, that perhaps they are "sleazebags", let me remind everyone that it is the same class of lawyers who will fight: the company allegedly at fault for the West Virgina mine explosion, for the Hurricane Katrina fallout, for the children who were born with heart defects as a result of Paxil, for the teens harmed by Accutane, for the thousands forced from their homes due to Chinese drywall… And, as I always remind my self and others–it's one thing to point the finger at seemingly frivolous lawsuits–but the saying, "There but for the grace of God…" holds true (regardless of your religious persuasion); let's hope you never find yourself–or a loved one–in need of legal help at this level.
Ragu,
The only reason one would exclude oneself from the class action suit is if they plan to bring a lawsuit of their own. If you don't feel you deserve any compensation, then you needent do anything.
I believe fraud and anti-trust violations are very serious. Sincethe government doesn't effectively protect the people from businesses that commit these crimes, the only recourse for American citizens against these crimes is through civil suits.
I applaud the plaintif and lawyers that brought this suit. The criminals deserve to be punished.
Hi Bill, Thanks for your comment–you've gotten to the heart of what this lawsuit is about; not horsepower…not mower efficacy…it's about fraud. Period.
Had a Craftsman garden tractor with a high end Kohler engine in the 25 to 30 horsepower range. Needs rings after 2 1/2 years of seasonal use. May have something to do with the engine being under powered for the tasks at hand. I’ll gladly fill out a form just because of the expense and aggravation it caused me.
Hi Walter, Thanks for your comment–glad the settlement may at least provide some satisfaction given the aggravation you've had…
Bad news things really were out FAST
this is bullsh-t what if you don't own the lawn mower any more I guess if yah have my name then you have aa the other information send me my money???????
Hi C Pike, All I can say is that I hear you and agree with you…however, as I'm not connected with lawyers who handled this case nor the claims administrator who handles the settlement, I'm not sure what process was used to determine whom to send the notice of settlement mailings to. It is possible with this class action–as it affects so many individuals–that a broad mailing was done irrespective of whether the person (or household) actually bought a mower that was covered in the lawsuit.
I've owned a lawn mower for years now and never had an issue …. that is, until I received the class action lawsuit flyer. Since then, I've cut off my left toe and killed my neighbor's dog. I am afraid to send in the form, since I am not an American citizen and only have a work visa hence I am on the run. The form has crisp details but I am from India and hence don't want to get caught over $35 USD. I feel like I am Chasing the wind…
Hi Prashant, Uhhh, I'm sensing some irrational behavior here and the potential –just the potential mind you–that you may require assistance beyond that which the legal profession can provide. Before you go down that path, however (and to avoid feeling like you're chasing the proverbial wind) please refer to some information on Prozac; after all, forewarned is forearmed…