Parker Waichman LLP

Lawsuit Alleges Lawnmower Horsepower Fraud

A class action lawsuit was recently filed in New Jersey charging that manufacturers of lawnmowers have purposely misstated horsepower valuations on their products in order to justify higher prices.   The lawnmower horsepower fraud class action lawsuit alleges that the major retailers and manufacturers of lawnmowers have conspired for the past decade to mislead consumers. Defendants […]

A class action lawsuit was recently filed in New Jersey charging that manufacturers of lawnmowers have purposely misstated horsepower valuations on their products in order to justify higher prices.   The <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Lawnmower_Horsepower_Fraud">lawnmower horsepower fraud class action lawsuit alleges that the major retailers and manufacturers of lawnmowers have conspired for the past decade to mislead consumers.

Defendants in the lawsuit include Sears & Roebuck Co., Briggs & Stratton, Deere & Co., Tecumseh Products Co., Briggs & Stratton Corp., Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA., MTD Products, The Toro Co., American Honda Motor Co., Electrolux Home Products, The Kohler Co., Platinum Equity LLC, and Husqvarna Outdoor Products.

According to the lawnmower horsepower fraud class action lawsuit, the defendants were all members of a “‘Power Labeling Task Force,” which met sometime in 2001 and discussed various means by which to conceal horsepower fraud and misrepresent horsepower to the consuming public.  One of the suggestions made by this group was to include a misleading ‘disclaimer’ on the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, (OPEI) Web site. The disclaimer was titled ‘Understanding Horsepower’ and included misleading information on horsepower issues.

The lawsuit also alleges that the defendants created a “labeling standard” called “SAE J1940” to conceal horsepower fraud. This labeling standard was an attempt to justify the labeling of lawnmower engines with a false horsepower value.  According to the lawsuit, SAE standard “allowed for a ‘fudge factor’ of up to 15% to be added to horsepower labels.”

Finally, the lawnmower horsepower fraud class action lawsuit claims that defendants also adopted “gross horsepower” standard, “SAE J1995,” which has no real-world relevance in order to deceive consumers about the true horsepower of their lawnmowers.  According to the complaint, the SAE J1995 uses “the theoretical horsepower that an engine could achieve under ideal laboratory conditions with all of the legally required accessories removed from the engine – such as the air filter and exhaust mechanism.”

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Quality Tina is very kind professional and extremely helpful , very attentive to my case and keeping me abreast of whats going on is very important to her and myself . i am thankful to have her handling my case
dave b
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness How does one improve upon a professional team? Perhaps more interaction with the attorney necessary, but paralegals are quite competent.
Gordon Wilson
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness I am so thankful for Parker Waichman’s team. Tina morace was so professional and knowledgeable.
Carol Willis
2 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038