The father of a man severely injured in a car crash has filed a GM ignition switch lawsuit against General Motors claiming that a defect in the ignition switch, which led to a nation wide recall, caused his son’s injuries. The GM ignition switch complaint was consolidated into an MDL (multidistrict litigation) filed in New York.

The GM ignition switch lawsuit was filed by Leland A. on behalf of his son, Todd A., who was a passenger in a GM-manufactured 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt that crashed on November 17, 2008. According to the GM ignition switch lawsuit, the vehicle “struck an object, rolled over and came to rest on its side and partially overturned.” When the vehicle hit the object, the ignition switch suddenly went from the “run” position to the “accessory” or “off” position. The GM ignition switch defect allegedly kept the airbags from deploying, leading to serious injuries.

Todd suffered from severe injuries, including brain damage, an extensive bilateral shear injury with multiple petechial hemorrhages, contusions in various parts of his brain, a subdural hematoma, and broken ribs. The GM ignition switch lawsuit claims these injures would not have happened if not for the airbag failure caused by the GM ignition switch defect.

Todd is one of hundreds of individuals who have been injured or killed by the GM ignition switch defect. GM has admitted to the ignition switch flaw and has issued a recall affecting millions of vehicles across the nation.

About the GM Ignition Switch Failure

The ignition switch recall is in response to a flaw that allows a vehicle’s ignition switch to turn from “on” to “off” while driving if the vehicle suddenly hits something or drives over a pot hole. The defect may also cause the vehicle to stop running. GM was allegedly aware of this dangerous defect years before recalling the product.

GM ignition switch lawsuits have been filed across the country by injured parties and family members of individuals who have died from GM ignition switch defects. Claims typically include negligence, strict liability, breach of implied warranty, and violation of certain product warranties acts. GM has already set up a fund to pay those who were injured by their negligence.

This GM Ignition Switch MDL is In Re: General Motors LLC Ignition Switch Litigation MDL No. 2542, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The individual complaint is Case No. 1:15-cv04709.