GM Announces Compensation Fund

In order to fast track the number of pending cases and the likelihood of inevitable lawsuits GM has formed a compensation fund. This fund is designed to pay out claims for those who were injured by the faulty ignition inside GM vehicles. GM’s compensation fund will be designed as an alternative to filing a lawsuit and will not bar your right to pursue a case. If you have been hurt as a result of a faulty or defective GM vehicle here is what you should know in order to pursue your case.

Collecting Records To Prove Your Case in the Court of Law

Collecting records is a very important part of your case. Records will include both medical records and any other information on the vehicle. In many cases you will not have records available to collect for a number of reasons. In the GM cases specifically many injured parties do not have control or possession of the vehicle any longer. As a result the case is at a disadvantage because they are cannot substantiate the ignition defect was the cause of the injury. In such cases we must rely on images, police reports and any medical data that is available. Generally these records will be available for a number of years after the accident and can be used to recreate the accident and the injuries you have suffered.

Police reports of traffic collision reports can sometimes provide vital information that can serve in your interest. This becomes even more important when you don’t have the actual vehicle. In such cases you can must pursue the case using all other resources or information available to you.

Medical Bills and Records

Medical records and bills are also important to building your case. Again, if the actual car is not there medical reports can be used as a secondary method of building the case up. Usually these reports will include statements made while in the hospital. Such statements along with the police report can be used in a manner to identify the cause of the accident and the injuries sustained. Medical records and bills can be used to substantiate that the defendant actually suffered injuries after the accident. Additionally they can include statements made after the accident which are important to establishing how the accident happened.

Images or Actual Vehicle Possession

Images of the vehicle can be instrumental in building the case. This is even more true if the actual vehicle is not in your possession. Images can help reconstruct how the accident happened and verify all the necessary information we need to develop or build the case for settlement. If you have any images immediately store them in a safe place and make copies. They are critical to the case.

What If We Don’t Have Possession of the Vehicle?

Not having the vehicle is not a major issue at this point with regards to these cases. In fact it is expected that most clients and injured parties will not have the vehicle. As a result you need to consider building the case using other information, which is available. Generally, police records and hospital records will be on file for a period of up-to 10 YEARS from the date of the accident or visit. As a result it will be likely to retrieve such records. As mentioned earlier you can use police reports and hospital records as a means of reconstructing the accident, without the vehicle.

It is important to mention that if you were hurt as a result of a GM accident consider all of your options. DO NOT attempt to settle or handle the case without legal representation. This can cause issues in regards to the value of your case. Make sure you consult with counsel before communicating with GM. If you were hurt our office would like to hear from you and determine whether we can pursue a potential claim against GM for your injuries.

Further Information:

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Against GM

• All 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2007-2010 Pontiac G5
• 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
• 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR
• 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice
• 2007-2010 Saturn Sky
• Chevrolet Malibu from 1997 to 2005
• 2004 – 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
• 2002-2005 Cadillac SRX
• Buick Lacrosse, 2005-2009
• Chevrolet Impala, 2006-2014
• Cadillac Deville, 2000-2005
• Cadillac DTS, 2004-2011
• Buick Lucerne, 2006-2011
• Buick Regal LS & GS, 2004-2005
• Chevy Monte Carlo, 2006-2008

Establishing Liability – GM’s Knowledge of Defect and Failure to Take Necessary Action

According to various documentary evidence and reports by numerous entities over the past few month, General Motors had actionable knowledge that the ignition switch of many of their vehicles could result in the turning off all electrical systems including power steering and airbags resulting in a significant increased in the risk of serious harm to drivers. Nationwide Representation: Our law offices are able to represent family members who have lose loved one in accidents caused by General Motors ignition switch failure.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against GM

The death of a loved one is a great tragedy. Historically however, under our Common Law system of jurisprudence survivors of individuals who perished did not have a legal basis with which to file a Tort bases civil lawsuit in the court of law. In reaction to this seemingly great injustice most states across the country enacted Wrongful Death of Negligent Death statutes thus allowing certain relatives the right to file a civil based compensatory lawsuit in the court of law.

Who Can Sue for the Death of a Relative

Every state and jurisdiction in the United States will have differing laws as to who is able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Generally individual who have the right to file such claims include the following…

• Spouses – husband or wife of the victim.
• Domestic partners.
• Children of the deceases – ins some jurisdiction only non-married children can file.
• Persona financially dependent on the individual.
• Individuals in a lineal decent.
• Distant relatives – some states may allow more distant relatives to file such claims.
• Putative spouses.

Compensation Available in Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death causes of action are predicated on specific state statutes. Each state statute delineates the specific type of damages compensable under the law.  Some of the most common damages which may be held compensable in wrongful death cases include the following…

• Compensation for funeral expenses.
• All medical and hospitalization expenses of the deceased.
• Compensation for the loss of the deceased individuals future loss of income.
• Loss of value added by the deceased individual to the household.
• Loss of consortium, loves affection and support provided by the deceased victim.
• Punitive damage – depends on the jurisdiction where the claim takes place.

Legal Assistance Available: If you have any further legal questions regarding the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit against General Motors feel free to contact our law offices. All confidential case reviews are provided by our attorneys free of charge.

Who Is Able to File Such Lawsuit Against GM – Relatives Right to Recovery

Differing rules apply to who has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit based on the jurisdiction where the case is to be tried in. For examples the state of California Wrongful Death Statutes states that a cause of action for the death of a person caused by the wrongful or negligent acts of another maybe asserted by, ” The decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse or domestic partner, who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.” More information here

Types of Recovery Available in Wrongful Death Lawsuits: The types of compensation available in wrongful death claims is dependent on the specific laws of the jurisdiction where the case is to be tried is. Generally, relatives of individuals who have died due to a faulty consumer product may be entitled to recovery for the following..

• Funeral expenses.
• Medical expenses of the deceased individual.
• Recovery for the loss of earnings of the deceased person.
• Mental anguish including pain and suffering of the family members.
• Loss of consortium of the husband or wife of the deceased person.

Punitive Damages: In the vast majority of jurisdictions punitive damages are not compensable in wrongful death actions.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuits Against GM – Do I Still Have Time

The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is based on the laws of the jurisdiction where the harm took place. For example the filing deadline for a personal injury claim including wrongful death actions in the state of California is two years from the date of the incident. While in the state of Kentucky it is one year from the date of the accident. We have compiled a list of the filing deadlines for GM auto defect lawsuits for all 50 states and jurisdictions here..

Exceptions to the Filing Deadline – Tolling of the Statute of Limitations: In many instance courts will allow for the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit even the time period has passed. Some exceptions which may pertain to cases involving General Motors defective auto ignition systems include..

• The plaintiff did not know that the harm or the death of a loved one was the result of a defective product produced by the at fault (negligent) party.
• Fraud and deceit on the part of the liable manufacturer so as to entice the family members of those who perished to not file a lawsuit against them in the court of law.

Legal Assistance Available: Our law firm is doggedly pursuing lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have suffered a family tragedy due the wrongful actions of General Motors. If you have any further legal questions regarding the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit contact our law offices. All legal consultations regarding your case is provided by our attorneys free of charge.

List of Vehicle Containing the Ignition Switch Defect:

• 2005 to 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2007 Pontiac G5s
• 2003 to 2007 Saturn Ion
• 2006 to 2007 Chevrolet HHR
• 2006 to 2007 Pontiac Solstice
• 2006 to 2007 Saturn Sky
• 2005 to 2007 Pontiac Pursuit

Our Defective Product Law Firm is pursuing claims across the country including the California cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco bay metroplex.

The Normandie Law Firm is placing considerable resources into the investigation of General Motors for the production and distribution of vehicles know to contain defects posing a significant risk of harm to motorist. According to the latest report there have been over 300 death and thousands of injuries suffered in auto accident caused by the ignition switch defect of several GM produced vehicles including the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Saturn Ion.

Attorney Investigation into Your Case: If you or a loved one sustained injuries or a family member has been killed due to a suspected ignition switch failure of a General Motors vehicles feel free to contact our law offices. We have the staff, resources and experts to fully investigate your claim and determined whether your accident was caused by General Motors ignition switch defect.

Explaining GM’s Ignition Switch Defect

For years police reports investigating accidents involving several General Motors vehicles determine the cause as the vehicle ignition systems turning off while the vehicle was being driven. The turning off of the ignition mid-drive results in a shutdown of the vehicle operational systems including power steering, power breaks and airbags resulting in a vehicle unfit for the road. The ignition system shut off when the key was attached to additional hanging keys. The added weight of the additional keys involuntarily turn the vehicle off and disable all electronic of its electronic functions. Vehicle ignition systems must be designed in such a fashion to be securely fastened preventing the key form falling of the ignition and thus turning off the vehicle while its being driven.

Determining Liability – Wining Defective Product Claim in the Court of Law:

Defective product claims against auto manufacturers can be difficult to prove; often requiring in-depth research into the cause of the accident, the malfunctioning of the vehicle design and the showing of causation. Generally there are three ways to prove the existence of a defect in a manufactured product.

1. Defect due to faulty design of the vehicle: A design defect can be proven by showing the existence of a substantially safer similar design at the time of production that was not used by the manufacturing firm.

2.  Defect caused by faulty manufacturing of the vehicle: On many occasions in an attempt to reduce manufacturing costs companies use less expensive material or establish less capital intensive assembly systems. Such cost saving measures can result in a final product that is markedly different and significantly more dangerous  than the its original design.

3. Failure to warn – labeling defect – failure to properly recall in a timely fashion: Once a danger associated with a product is realized the manufacturing of the defective item owe a general duty to properly warn consumers.

Attorney Consultation Available: All confidential legal consultations are provided free of charge to any victim of General Motors ignition switch defects. If you have any further legal questions regarding the filling of a claim contact our law offices toll free 1-800-790-5422.