Lawsuit That Brought GM Ignition Switch Defect To Light Settled For Second Time
The Associated Press reports that terms of the settlement, which are the result of a second suit levied by the family, were not released.
A lawyer for the family, who first filed the suit against GM in 2011, hired engineering experts who eventually discovered the ignition switch issues in several smaller model vehicles.
According to a deposition provided by the family’s lawyer, a GM engineer experienced the problem – in which the ignition switch could unexpectedly shift out of the run position, disabling safety devices and increasing the risk of a crash – while test driving one of the vehicles in 2004.
Initially, the family had agreed to settle their lawsuit with GM for $5 million, but rescinded the agreement last year; instead opting to file a second suit alleging that the company concealed the defect and withheld vital information from the family.
To date, GM has recalled millions of compact cars – including the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion– that have been linked to at least 64 deaths and 108 serious injuries.
Lawsuit that showed GM hid ignition switch problem settled [The Associated Press]
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