Hagens Berman: Lead Counsel Responds to Bankruptcy Court’s Ruling Allowing Plaintiffs’ Claims to Proceed in Defective Ign...
April 15 2015 - 7:16PM
Business Wire
Judge rules claims against New GM to proceed,
if misconduct found
Attorneys from Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, co-lead counsel
representing owners of millions of recalled vehicles in nationwide
litigation against General Motors Co., responded to the bankruptcy
court’s ruling concerning New GM’s liability in the class-action
lawsuit.
“We are pleased that Judge Gerber will allow claims to proceed
against New GM if misconduct by New GM was involved in this series
of massive recalls. We believe that New GM’s misconduct was in fact
present in the sale of millions of defective vehicles – a truth
that we believe New GM knew and chose to conceal,” said Steve
Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and co-lead counsel
representing plaintiffs in nationwide litigation against GM.
Berman added, “In addition, we will appeal Judge Gerber’s ruling
that claims versus New GM for Old GM’s misconduct are barred. It
cannot be the law that Old GM could hide the defects, and
subsequently use the bankruptcy court as a shield. As Judge Gerber
agreed, due process required that Old GM give notice to owners of
cars with defects, and consumers did not get notice. The law must
provide a remedy.”
The litigation against GM involves defective ignition switches
that can cause a car to inadvertently switch off while in
operation. The defect causes the car to stall, and also disables
airbags and other electrical features integral to safety, such as
power steering and power brakes. According to attorneys at Hagens
Berman, evidence overwhelmingly shows that “Old GM” was aware of
the deadly defect for years before the bankruptcy, but chose not to
conduct a safety recall and concealed its knowledge of the defect
from regulators and consumers. New GM continued the cover-up for
years before finally issuing recalls beginning in February of
2014.
“We also may challenge Gerber’s decision to avoid review by
Judge Furman, who, as the MDL judge, should have a chance to weigh
in on an issue that affects such a vast number of consumers,”
Berman said.
Additional information about the suit, including a list of
affected vehicles, is available at www.hbsslaw.com/GM.
About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights
class-action law firm with offices in nine cities. The firm has
been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List eight
times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found
at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at
@ClassActionLaw.
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLPAshley Klann,
206-268-9363ashleyk@hbsslaw.com
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