A New York judge has ordered General Motors to relinquish internal files and documents related to the now-infamous ignition switch recall from earlier this year.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman directed the automaker to turn documentation over to a panel of attorneys who represent hundreds of consumers suing for alleged economic losses as well as injuries and deaths connected with GM small cars, the Wall Street Journal reported.
"The sooner we begin discovery, the sooner we will know if this criminal conduct and coverup made it to the head of the snake," said Texas attorney Bob Hilliard, who represents the plaintiffs along with Steve Berman and Elizabeth Cabraser, as quoted by the Journal. "The significance here, and what GM doesn't like, is that we will now get access to more records."
The discovery order, which covers just the car accidents that occurred after GM's bankruptcy-court protection ended in July 2009, includes documentation that GM submitted to Congress and files from the company's internal investigation.
GM currently has protection from liability for crashes that happened before its bankruptcy since they occurred under the "old GM." A judge has been asked to void that ruling but hasn't yet made a decision.
GM has recalled around 15 million cars worldwide for flawed ignition switches, a problem that has been related to at least 13 deaths but could be connected with dozens more. Earlier this year, the automaker recalled around 2.6 million small cars including Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion models, an announcement that has been followed by recalls for around 25 million more vehicles for various issues.
The company has tapped high-profile attorney Kenneth Feinberg to handle a compensation fund for people who were injured in GM vehicles and the families of those killed.
GM has put aside $400 million to cover restitution; however, the automaker has said the amount needed could increase to as much as $600 million.
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