Individual Claims

It’s About Fairness.

Stern Law’s history and foundation is about helping those who have been harmed. Period. The cases we pursue and the clients we represent are not looking for a free handout or trying to take advantage of a situation. Instead, the focus of our work is making sure that our clients are not damaged again by any resolution or ‘fix’ being offered or mandated. Stern Law is determined to make sure that the damage caused by manufacturers in our clients’ lives is handled properly and fairly by seeking the compensation to which they are entitled.

When a person is sold a vehicle that does not match the marketing promises and manufacturer assurances that were made, it should not be the buyer’s responsibility to ‘deal with it.’ The only solution offered should not be for the current and former owners to blindly accept a class action settlement that was reached on their behalf without their knowledge. The class action lawyers did not ask for your input, nor what your individual needs were when it came to your vehicle and its performance. However, the courts still allow any settlement they reach with the manufacturer to directly impact people just like you.

Unless you opt out.

Emissions class action cases usually bind every current and former owner to whatever settlement terms are reached. A small window of time is made available for those impacted to remove themselves from the settlement, but the requirements for doing so can be complex and confusing. If a person does not fulfill the requirements in time - or as detailed - and required, they are automatically included in the class settlement - even those who never knew that one was reached on their behalf. If you do not respond by the class settlement’s opt out deadline, you have indicated to the court that you ‘approve’ of the terms that were reached.

The opt-out process can be complicated because each lawsuit’s requirements are different. Some may require proof of ownership, even if you sold the vehicle. Others simply require you make several statements and hand-sign the document. Ultimately, with each of these opt-out processes, the court requires you to take action to reject the settlement, rather than require you to take action to accept the settlement. While this process may not seem all that complicated, many would be surprised how simple it is to make an error in completing the document. Any error - especially in failing to send the form by the deadline - can be disastrous for a person’s legal rights.

We help our clients in completing any documents required to ensure their accuracy and timely delivery. This is a key reason why we sign clients up for a claim before a class settlement is reached – to collect their important vehicle information and ownership details before a deadline looms over their heads without their awareness.

How do we keep clients properly informed?

Stern Law maintains a call center that attempts to reach out regularly to those who request more information at a time that works best for you, based on your unique schedule. We maintain an appointment scheduling system and use extended business hours, aimed at meeting people’s needs with approaching deadlines and sign-up periods. We combine bi-weekly email reminders with our online self-intake program to allow those concerned about protecting their legal rights the option of providing us with information at their own convenience.

Combined with regular client updates and our dedication to responding to emails within hours, our firm is capable, ready, and willing to help however we can.

Our legal assistance comes with two major assurances:

1. There are no out-of-pocket fees at any time. All of our work is done on a contingency basis, providing prospective clients the reassurance we feel confident in the merits of their case and are not trying to profit off of them at any point in the sign-up or legal process; and

2. We will try to ensure our legal fees, wherever possible, are covered by the manufacturer and that our clients keep as much of their award as possible.

Because of this commitment to quality service and legal support, we do not think it is any surprise that Stern Law actively represents thousands of people who have chosen to opt out of an emissions class action settlement to pursue an individual claim. We provide the critical information consumers need to understand their rights and make an informed decision during difficult timelines to help ensure that those affected by an emission scandal are not harmed by an unfair class action settlement.