Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that allowed private lawsuits filed over General Motors’ ignition switch defect to pursue. Now, the automaker has reportedly settled hundreds of them.
Reuters reports GM settled with as many as 203 plaintiffs in federal cases, according to a court filing. The settlements may also include resolutions for state cases as well.
Originally, courts shielded GM from new lawsuits over the ignition switch defect. “New GM” claimed it was not responsible for the actions of “Old GM,” which was dissolved after its bankruptcy in 2009, and therefore could not be sued. Later, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that allowed the private lawsuits to proceed, as mentioned.
GM has paid around $2.5 billion between victim compensation, fines and penalties. GM paid $900 million alone to drop all criminal charges against the automaker.
The ignition switch defect saga has nearly wrapped up after GM’s compensation fund for victims—handled by Kenneth Feinberg—found the defect responsible for 124 deaths and 275 injuries.
GM did not respond to a request for comment surrounding the settlements.
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