Allen & Allen is currently investigating claims for people who were injured or killed in accidents involving GM vehicles that were recently recalled due to defective ignition switches. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving one of those vehicles, please contact us today for a free consultation at 866-388-1307.
The GM recall has had far-reaching consequences, but for some GM employees the consequences have hit closer to home. A recent blog article sheds light on the timeline of the GM recall and the whistle-blower who first identified the faulty ignition switch that has been linked to at least 13 deaths and 54 crashes. Courtland Kelley, the former head of a nationwide GM inspection program, sued GM in 2003 alleging that the car manufacturer intentionally delayed addressing the problems he had brought to light. He hoped that by acting as a whistleblower he could inspire other employees at GM to report any problems they had observed. Unfortunately, after his suit was thrown out on a procedural technicality, GM continued to ignore the issues plaguing its vehicles. It was only 11 years after the initial suit that GM issued a recall, one that has now grown to include nearly 27 million vehicles.
For more information on the timeline of the GM recall and the consequences of the recall on GM’s employees, read the blog article titled GM Recalls: How General Motors Silenced a Whistle-Blower, located at http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-18/gm-recalls-whistle-blower-was-ignored-mary-barra-faces-congress.
About the Author: Jamie Kessel is a personal injury lawyer at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. He primarily works out of the Short Pump and Richmond offices. Jamie is experienced in handling complex personal injury cases involving distracted drivers, brain injuries, wrongful death, and child care injuries.
