Hilliard Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Volkswagen For "Defeat Device" Installed To Cheat On Emissions Tests
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert C. Hilliard, Founding Partner at Hilliard Munoz Gonzales, LLP, and lead counsel for all personal injury and death cases inside the national GM litigation, today has filed a class action lawsuit against the German automaker, Volkswagen for installing "defeat device" software in some 11 million vehicles in order to deceive consumers about the efficacy of its "clean diesel" vehicles and cheat on environmental emissions tests.
Cause Number: 2:15-CV-00405
"This is a self-made crisis fueled solely by VW's greed and its attempts to try and save a short-sighted nickel," Hilliard says."To intentionally write computer code that would cheat on EPA emissions is yet another level of criminal conduct by a car company. It seems that as long as congress refuses to act, Big Auto will continue and compete with each other to win the 'Most Evil Act We Can Think Of' award. Car companies seem to believe, and history supports them, that there exists some sort of 'Automotive Immunity' to personal accountability and potential jail time."
"Volkswagen deceived millions," said Hilliard, "it engaged in a widespread marketing campaign to promote vehicles containing what Volkswagen claimed was 'Clean Diesel' technology all the while knowing that it cheated the system."
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an investigation launched in May 2014 has revealed that Volkswagen installed "defeat device" software in a number of its diesel light duty vehicles model years 2009 to 2015 in order to skirt regulations under the Clean Air Act. Questions were raised after a study by the University of West Virginia revealed that in lab tests, VW vehicles complied with federal emission standards, yet road tests indicated that the cars actually emitted nitrogen oxide at levels 40 times over the federal limits.
VW has now admitted to installing this "defeat device" software in many of its diesel vehicles which promoted "clean diesel" technology for which the company charged customers some $6,000. This software can detect when emission testing is being performed and then activates countermeasures to reduce emissions. When the vehicles are not being tested, this emission-reducing technology is deactivated, leading to the drastic rise in pollution levels. For over a year, VW has covered up the use of this deceptive technology.
HMG has filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, on behalf of Holly Harris and affected owners of VW vehicles in an effort to force the auto giant to take responsibility for defrauding its customers and for disregarding the environmental emission standards designed to limit pollution in the places we all call home. Ms. Harris purchased her 2012 Jetta in August of 2014 to help her get to and from college and to visit her family who live out of town.
Hilliard recently negotiated a historic settlement with GM on behalf of over 1,300 ignition switch plaintiffs.
ABOUT HMG http://www.hmglawfirm.com/
Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP (HMG) specializes in mass torts, personal injury, product liability, commercial and business litigation, and wrongful death. Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP has been successfully representing clients in the United States and Mexico since 1986. Bob Hilliard obtained the Largest Verdict in the country in 2012 and the #1 verdict in Texas in 2013.
HMG is actively seeking to represent owners defrauded by Volkswagen vehicles with its "defeat device" technology.
SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW WITH BOB HILLIARD
Contact Lauren Gomez at 361-960-3146
SOURCE Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP
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