New Jersey's wheelchair lemon law, which has been in effect since 1996, is an underutilized tool for those with motorized wheelchairs or scooters that are not functioning properly. If you own or lease a motorized wheelchair or scooter and notify the manufacturer or lessor of the problem within the one-year warranty period, it has three chances to repair that problem. If unsuccessful, or if the wheelchair or scooter is out of service for 20 days, you may be able to get a replacement, a refund, or terminate your lease early.
The remedies available under the lemon law are: to refer the matter to the manufacturer for resolution, to refer the matter to the Wheelchair Lemon Law Unit at the Division of Consumer Affairs within the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, or to file an action in the Superior Court of New Jersey. For those wishing to participate in the Attorney General's dispute resolution process, you may access an application form at www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/ocp.htm#lemon, or call the Division at 973-504-6200 (TDD: 973-504-6588), or e-mail them at: Ask ConsumerAffairs@lps.state.nj.us. If your application is accepted, you will have to pay a $50 filing fee, and your application will be referred to the Office of Administrative Law for a hearing.
