Auto manufacturer Honda, already dealing with a class-action lawsuit, may have more to worry about in its near future. If one woman's suit succeeds, it may open the floodgates for a tidal wave of similar claims. Honda owners from Maryland and Washington, D.C. should pay attention to the results of this civil litigation.

According to the woman's suit, the Honda Civic that the woman owns -- a 2006 hybrid model -- does not get the advertised fuel economy. She said that her vehicle is getting 30 miles per gallon when the advertised rate is 50 miles per gallon. This discrepancy has likely cost her at the gas pump, and she wants compensation.

While she could be part of the class action lawsuit Honda is currently facing over fuel economy claims, the woman is not satisfied with the potential settlement of rebate coupons and as little as $100 per plaintiff divvied out to Civic owners. Also, the settlement, if finalized, will include a payment of $8.5 million to attorneys. Instead of signing on as part of the class, the woman has taken her case to small claims court.

By doing this, she limited Honda's power. In her state and several others, large companies cannot bring attorneys into the small-claims arena, which means she could see a more substantial payout than the class-action settlement. The maximum award amount in small claims court is $10,000.

The car company sold approximately 200,000 units of the model in question over a six-year period and, accounting for resales of these vehicles, as many as 500,000 individuals could file similar small claims suits.

Although many small claims courts don't allow attorneys to be present, it could be beneficial to consult with one before heading into court.

Source: Omaha World-Herald, "A small-claims flash mob," Jan. 2, 2012