Steve W. Berman, of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, Named Co-Lead Counsel in General Motors Class-Action Lawsuit
August 15 2014 - 5:14PM
Business Wire
Attorney Steve W. Berman, managing partner and co-founder of
Seattle-based Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, has been named
co-lead counsel in the high-profile, class-action lawsuit against
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM). The case covers claims resulting from
personal injuries and diminished vehicle value related to GM’s
recall of millions of vehicles over faulty ignition switches and
other possible defects. Berman has been serving as temporary lead
counsel in the GM litigation.
“I am appreciative that the court has the confidence to appoint
me as one of the co-leads, in the face of heavy competition from
other talented lawyers who wanted to run the case,” Berman said.
“It’s an awesome responsibility, and I pledge to do a good job for
the consumers who have these defective cars.”
Since February 2014, GM has recalled 2.6 million vehicles over
problems with the ignition switch, and has since recalled millions
more with other possible defects. According to published reports
and government documents, GM had knowledge of the serious defect as
early as 2001, but critics charge that the company ignored warnings
of the defect’s severity and did not warn consumers.
Berman served as co-lead counsel in negotiating a $1.6 billion
settlement for consumers from Toyota Motor Corp. in 2013, following
claims of sudden, unexplained acceleration in many of its vehicles.
“The Toyota litigation would be a valuable road map for plaintiffs
suing GM,” said Berman. “I spent two-and-a-half years of my life
dealing with the issues (in Toyota) that we’ll deal with here.”
Berman was chosen from a field of dozens of lawyers. Forty
presented in-person during four-minute pitches to U.S. District
Judge Jesse Furman, who is overseeing the case, during a hearing
Aug. 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New
York. In addition, other attorneys had submitted written
applications.
“I am honored to be chosen to help make restitution to consumers
who put their faith in this iconic company,” Berman said. “I also
intend to send a message that deters other companies from acting in
such an aberrant fashion. It is unconscionable how GM has handled
this issue from start to finish.”
Furman stated that his selection criteria included firms’
experiences handling complex litigation, their automotive
experience and their ability to represent the interests of a
diverse group of plaintiffs. The Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
currently contains at least 109 lawsuits, including more than 90
economic loss suits and about a dozen personal injury cases.
Additional information on the case is available here.
About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights
class-action law firm with offices in nine cities. The firm has
been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List seven
times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at
www.hbsslaw.com. Find the firm on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/classactionlaw.
NOTE: Berman is available as a legal expert for any upcoming
stories you may be doing on the GM litigation. Contact Aaron Blank
at 206-343-1543 to schedule an interview.
If you are a radio station, and prefer an Audio Bite Line,
click here.
The Fearey GroupAaron Blank,
206-343-1543ablank@feareygroup.com
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