Victims of dangerous and defective products are protected on the roadways and elsewhere. A settlement was recently reached between General Motors and Orange County related to auto defects. The automaker was accused of concealing safety defects including faulty ignition switches that have been tied to nearly 400 injuries and deaths. A settlement was recently reached for violations of unfair competition and false advertising for vehicles that were recalled in 2014, including for the ignition switch recall.
In a statement, a representative for Orange County noted that the car manufacturer failed to disclose power steering, airbag and braking system defects. The car manufacturer previously paid $2.5 billion in settlements and penalties related to faulty ignition switches. The defect was linked to 275 injuries and 124 deaths and led to a recall of 2.6 million vehicles in 2014. A representative for the auto manufacturer stated that the company had taken steps to improve safety.
The auto manufacturer still faces greater than 100 lawsuits, including personal injury lawsuits, related to the auto defects. The auto manufacturer also settled criminal claims. The probe into the faulty ignition prompted an increase in recalls that was industry wide. To protect the public and consumers from dangerous and defective products, legal options are available to help victims recover compensation when they have suffered physical, financial and emotional damages because of an auto defect.
When a manufacturer has provided insufficient warnings, and in other circumstances as well, they may face liability to victims harmed by a dangerous or defective product through a personal injury or wrongful death claim for damages. Legal liability in products liability situations is extensive to provide thorough resources for victims injured by product defects such as auto defects.
Source: The Economic Times, “GM settles California county recall case for $13.9 mln,” David Shepardson, Oct. 30, 2017
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