Lawsuits Against GM are Mounting

POMERANTZ MONITOR, JULY/AUGUST 2014

Last February, General Motors decided to recall certain models due to defects in the ignition switches that can cause the engine and electrical system to shut down while the vehicle is in motion. If that happens, essential safety features such as airbags, power brakes, and pow¬er steering are all cut off. Since then, GM has recalled approximately 6 million cars due to the faulty ignition switch and nearly 29 million worldwide for a range of defects. 

Similar to the cases filed in the wake of the Toyota recalls, at least 85 lawsuits have been filed against GM seeking recovery of the declines in resale value on the recalled vehicles caused by revelation of the ignition-switch defect. With such lawsuits pending all over the country, in May a court in Chicago sent all of them to New York for consolidated pretrial proceedings. 

But many of these cases may not go forward at all. GM has claimed that economic loss cases are barred by a “discharge” order entered in its bankruptcy case in 2009 that, it argues, insulates the company from depreciation-related liability claims for automobiles sold before 2009. Plaintiffs’ lawyers claim this violates constitutional due-process rights, since GM allegedly knew about the ignition-switch problems at the time of the bankruptcy but kept them secret for years. A ruling on this issue is expected by the end of the summer. 

 GM also has to contend with its own shareholders, some of whom have sued the company and its top executives and board members. On March 21, 2014, Pomerantz filed the first and (so far) only securities class action in the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of shareholders who purchased GM stock between November 17, 2010—the date of GM’s $20.1 billion initial public offering—and March 10, 2014. According to the complaint, GM’s misstatements and omissions about the ignition-switch defect resulted in “significant reputational and legal exposure” and caused the share price to tank “wiping out billions in shareholder value” when the true extent of the defect was disclosed. Four movants filed motions seeking appointment as lead plaintiff in the securities class action, including clients represented by Pomerantz. 

Oral argument is scheduled in August 2014.