Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Crucial GM Ignition Lawsuit Begins Next Week

By Andy Szal | January 6, 2016

A key lawsuit in the ongoing controversy over faculty General Motors ignition switches is scheduled to begin next week.

The civil trial before a federal district court in New York City involves an Oklahoma man injured in a 2014 crash of his 2003 Saturn Ion.

But, as the Associated Press reports, it will also serve as a bellwether for hundreds of additional claims stemming from GM’s defective switches.

GM recalled 2.6 million vehicles in 2014 due to ignition switches that could inadvertently slide into the “off” position and disable critical safety features, but an investigation found that the company was aware of the problem years beforehand.

A fund set up by the Detroit automaker attributed 124 deaths and 275 injuries to the defects. In addition, the company was fined $35 million by federal highway regulators and settled criminal charges with the Justice Department for $900 million.

GM also agreed to settle more than 1,300 civil lawsuits for $575 million in September, but hundreds of additional cases remain.

They include a lawsuit filed by Robert S. Scheuer, who alleged that his airbags failed to deploy when his vehicle struck two trees off an Oklahoma highway.

“For years and years, GM, including to some of my clients, would say, ‘Look, this accident is your fault. Take $75,000 even though your family is dead,'” Texas attorney Bob Hilliard — who represents Scheuer as well as the 1,300 cases settled in September — told the AP.

GM said that the Scheuer case is the first of six trials scheduled to take place this year that will establish parameters for settlements with 217 pending cases in the U.S. and Canada.

The company argued that Scheuer’s injuries shouldn’t be blamed on the ignition defect.

“It’s our belief that the air bags weren’t designed to deploy in the accident that he had,” GM spokesman Jim Cain told the AP.

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Industry regulations + certifications

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more