Many Texans have heard of the problems surrounding GM-made vehicles and the alleged 10-year cover-up to hide those issues. Recently, GM added more than 970,000 vehicles to its list of 1.6 million cars it has already recalled to fix a defective key switch system that could place consumers at risk of harm. The recall affects models such as the Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, the Pontiac Solstice and G5, and the Saturn Ion and Sky.
A class action product liability lawsuit has been filed against GM, with consumers claiming the company misled them about the scope of the automotive defect. Those who can show they suffered a product injury may be able to recover significant compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Additionally, such a lawsuit sends the message that safety is the top priority when manufacturing products and a failure to adhere to safety standards will result in harsh punishment.
Yet, it is important to note that in order to succeed on a class action claim like this, several steps must be taken. For example, a judge must certify a class, meaning plaintiffs must share a common complaint and it would be impractical to require each plaintiff to sue the defendant in an individual capacity. Also, the entire group of consumers who fit into the class must be notified of the lawsuit, at which point they may choose to opt out.
These steps, and the others involved in setting up a class-action lawsuit and seeing it through the litigation process, can be fraught with complex legal issues. For this reason, it may be best for those injured by dangerous products to speak with a class action attorney. Whether individuals suffer personal injury from a toy or an automotive defect, a razor-sharp attorney will dig in the trenches to fight for the compensation victims deserve.
