SEATTLE – National consumer-rights law firm, Hagens Berman, is investigating Volkswagen for allegedly cheating emissions rules and pollution tests through fraudulent software, in violation of state laws and consumers’ rights, and plans to file a federal lawsuit against Volkswagen today.

“We’ve been inundated today with calls from outraged consumers across the nation,” said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman. “Consumers are being duped into paying up to $7,000 more for vehicles that do not meet these emissions standards, all the while thinking they are better for the environment.”

The class-action firm has brought high-profile cases against General Motors, Toyota and Kia, and plans to file against Volkswagen and Audi today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. If you own an affected diesel Volkswagen or Audi vehicle, contact Hagens Berman’s legal team.

According to news reports, federal and California environmental regulators accused Volkswagen of using software to cheat emissions standards in its diesel Audi and Volkswagen automobiles years 2009-2015.

Affected vehicles include:

• Jetta (model years 2009 – 2015)
• Beetle (model years 2009 – 2015)
• Audi A3 (model years 2009 – 2015)
• Golf (model years 2009 – 2015)
• Passat (model years 2014 – 2015)

Reports state that the automaker will be forced to recall all affected diesel vehicles.

“Volkswagen’s emissions-cheating software also creates a public health risk by allowing higher than legal levels of emissions into the air,” Berman said. “In cities like Los Angeles where smog is a major health concern, consumers are particularly aware of the importance of environmentally conscious products and standards.”

Hagens Berman’s legal team is investigating this potential fraud by Volkswagen and harm to consumers. If you own one of the vehicles listed above, contact our legal team now.

Berman is currently co-lead counsel in the high-profile, class-action lawsuit against GM concerning ignition switch defects, and was appointed co-lead counsel representing Toyota owners, and in 2013 negotiated a $1.6 billion settlement on behalf of consumers who owned or leased Toyota vehicles implicated in a rash of cases of unintended acceleration.

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with offices in 10 cities. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List eight times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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