Jury Verdict in Favor of Consumer Defrauded by Trinity Solar, Inc., Rivers Law Firm victory!

A New Jersey jury has returned a verdict in favor of my client Michael against Trinity Solar, Inc., awarding treble damages and attorney's fees under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

THE FACTS

On February 9, 2023, a Trinity Solar sales representative appeared at Michael's door with a familiar sales pitch: install solar panels and enjoy substantial federal and state rebates, lower your electric bills, and start saving money immediately.

The sales representative made specific, written and oral promises about the financial benefits. Most significantly, the representative promised that Michael's electric bills would be no more than $5 per month after the solar installation was complete.

These promises were not kept. While Michael was obligated to pay approximately $250 monthly on a loan for the solar panels, his actual electric bills far exceeded the promised $5 per month. The promised savings never materialized. Instead of enjoying the financial benefits touted by the sales representative, Michael found himself paying for both the solar loan and substantial electric bills, a far cry from the promises of savings he was told he would receive.

THE LEGAL BATTLE AND WELL-DESERVED VERDICT

This case proceeded through a hard-fought litigation process over the span of over two years. The case ultimately went to a jury in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Sussex County, where the evidence of Trinity Solar's deceptive practices was presented fully to the jurors.

The jury found that Trinity Solar violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. Under N.J.S.A. 56:8-19, this finding triggers mandatory remedies designed to hold corporations strictly accountable for their deceptive practices and to compensate consumers fully for harm suffered.

Michael will receive treble damages, three times the actual damages caused by Trinity Solar's fraud, plus mandatory, reasonable attorney's fees and costs. This is the law's way of deterring corporate fraud and ensuring that high-pressure sales tactics carry real consequences.

WHY THIS VERDICT MATTERS

Solar panel fraud has become a persistent problem in New Jersey. Companies train sales representatives to deploy well-rehearsed sales scripts, make sweeping promises about federal and state incentives, guarantee savings that never materialize, and pressure homeowners into long-term financial commitments based on incomplete or false information.

Many consumers believe they have no recourse. They assume they are bound by the contract or that their situation is too small to pursue legally. This verdict sends a different message.

The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act exists precisely for situations like this. It holds companies strictly accountable for what their representatives say and do. It provides treble damages to punish wrongdoing and deter it from happening to the next consumer. It provides mandatory attorney's fees so that consumers who have been defrauded can afford experienced legal representation to fight back.

If you have been misled by a high-pressure solar sales representative, you are not alone. You do have rights. And the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act is on your side. (Disclaimer: image is AI generated and is not the house involved in this lawsuit).