If you paid attention to General Motors CEO Mary Barra\u2019s apologies, you would think GM feels remorseful and responsible for manufacturing cars containing ignition switch defects that are associated with 13 deaths.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do understand we have civic responsibilities as well as legal responsibilities,\u201d Barra said in testimony on Capitol Hill in early April.<\/p>\n
Barra\u2019s comments were interpreted as a signal that GM would hold itself responsible and provide compensation for the families of those whose deaths were attributed to GM\u2019s design defects. But behind the scenes, GM\u2019s corporate lawyers have taken aggressive steps to prevent those who were injured by GM\u2019s negligence from seeking justice.<\/p>\n
On April 21, General Motors\u2019 lawyers filed a motion in U.S. bankruptcy court seeking to prevent lawsuits for economic damages related to the ignition switch recall. GM\u2019s much-publicized 2009 restructuring agreement included a provision that protected the restructured GM from liability arising from events taking place prior to July 10, 2009. Most of the GM vehicles with ignition switch problems were made before 2009.<\/p>\n
Thus far, GM has not sought to prevent lawsuits related to injuries, physical damages, or deaths related to product defects. GM had earlier filed a motion requesting a stay on ignition switch lawsuits until a judicial panel on multidistrict litigation rules whether to consolidate cases.<\/p>\n
This latest move by GM demonstrates the forceful and shrewd tactics employed by the car manufacturer\u2019s legal team. Their tactics are meant to improve GM\u2019s profit margin and not intended to help the people whose lives have been disrupted by GM\u2019s negligence. The aggressive posturing and strategies by corporate lawyers demonstrate why trial lawyers are needed by injured individuals and their families. When you have a trial lawyer on your side, you have an experienced professional who will resist the tactics of corporate lawyers and fight for your best interests. For corporate lawyers, the maneuvering and tactics by GM\u2019s lawyers are par for the course.<\/p>\n