Personal Injury Law

GM to Assume Responsibility for Future Product Liability Claims

General Motors Corp. has agreed to take responsibility for future auto product liability claims, removing what may have been a huge obstacle on auto maker's path to a quick sale of its assets and emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a "new company."

According to an Associated Press article, GM has wished to walk away from liabilities such as defective product lawsuits. But after a significant opposition from consumer groups, attorneys and state officials, GM has said the new company will assume responsibility for future claims involving defective vehicles sold by the old company.

The fact that the "new GM" will protect consumers who were seriously injured by defective "old GM" vehicles is a positive development and a victory for consumers. But GM's concession still does not help those who have been hurt by GM vehicles. Consumers who have been hurt by Chrysler have little or no recourse in product liability cases in New York and throughout the U.S.

Full post as published by New York Injury Talk Blog on July 20, 2009 (boomark / email).