GM begins talks to settle ignition switch lawsuits

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By TOM KRISHER

DETROIT (AP) — A mediator for General Motors has begun negotiations about settling more than 300 claims related to a deadly ignition switch problem in some older model small cars.

Kenneth Feinberg confirmed in an interview with The Associated Press that he met for four hours Friday with Robert Hilliard, a Corpus Christi, Texas, lawyer who said he represents families of 53 people killed and 273 injured in crashes of defective GM vehicles. Feinberg would not comment specifically on what was discussed.

"I'm evaluating various compensation options for GM to consider," said Feinberg, who said he plans to present the options to GM in the next few weeks. "I'm glad I met with him. It was an interesting meeting," Feinberg said.

Feinberg said he listened to Hilliard and four colleagues explain the "quality and quantity" of their cases. Hilliard said no dollar figures were discussed, adding that he won't settle at a discount to what his clients could get through court mediation.

FULL story at link.


Read more: GM begins talks to settle ignition switch lawsuits

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FILE - In this April 23, 2013 file photo, Kenneth Feinberg, an attorney who managed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, speaks during a news conference in Boston. Feinberg, hired by General Motors to settle claims from a deadly ignition switch problem, has started talks about compensating victims' families. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

[Dustlawyer]

1. Feinberg Rosan law firm is the "go to" firm when big corporations get in trouble with lots of victim

That is b/c he is an unscrupulous shill! He was BP's hand picked guy to be the "Independent" head of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF). He tricked thousands of oil spill victims telling them they didn't need an attorney, the attorney would just take a big chunk of their settlement. Then he proceeded to drag things out until the fisherman were starving by wrongfully denying most a quarterly interim payment. Then his people would tell this broke fisherman that because they did not have document X,Y, or Z, so all they would be entitled to would be $5,000, and if they did not take the offer "immediately", it would be withdrawn and they get nothing. This allowed Feinberg to get rid of tens of thousands of 6 figure claims for cheap. The man is nothing but slime!

[liberalmike27]

2. I Need

to get that done. I've got the 2005 Cobalt, and never had trouble with this problem. I did as recommended, and only have the car key in the ignition, but I had quite a few on there before, like about 10 or 12, and never had it switch off. Generally I don't drive on rough roads, or dirt roads, which I understand aggravates the problem.

I did have the electric steering motor fail. That was while pulling out onto a fairly busy road, and suddenly it rode like a tank--I had to use both hands and really pull myself off the seat to finish my turn, then immediately turn into the neighborhood across the street. Interestingly, it would come back for a while, after turning it off, then on again, then it'd fail. This was BEFORE they finally rebated the part, and just after the 36000 mile warranty ran out, so they didn't want to cover it. I called the "Home office" which was in the Philippines, and the call-center guy managed to get it covered on the 5 year power-train warranty. So that's all cool.

I had to have both of my front lights replaced at some point as they leaked vapor, and there was an AC water-leak under the passenger side, they fixed for free. So that was cool, and right.

While maybe I should be pissed, it was a first year model. I'm not upset, but you would think by now they'd be doing better, be state of art, and not have so many problems. I guess it's just trying to squeeze out ever more profits, Capitalism itself, that is at the root of the problem. But since they covered everything, I'm OK with it, I suppose.