General Motors has recently approved applications for 19 deaths in its independent compensation fund for victims of the company’s defective ignition switches, The Detroit News reported on September 15.

GM, which already paid a $35 million federal fine for postponing the recall of 2.6 million Cobalt, Ion, and other vehicles with faulty ignition switches, previously only counted 13 deaths and 54 total crashes related to their defective vehicles. However, so far in the claims process, there have already been 19 death cases approved for compensation. This number is expected to grow.

A group of two dozen economists and administrative personnel are currently conducting a review of the claims through December 31, while an outside contractor oversees the fund website and the submission of documents. Compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg is responsible for the amount of funds approved for claimants.

A major accident can impact a person’s life and family in a profound way. If you have been injured by the negligent actions of someone else, whether in a vehicle accident or by a defective product, the attorneys at Ritter & Associates may help you hold the responsible party financially accountable. Call our San Diego offices at (619) 296-0123 today to learn about your legal options.

A panel for the First Appellate District ruled that German automaker Daimler is protected by a case that states personal injury lawsuits cannot be filed against foreign corporations,  Courthouse News Service reported on August 6.

According to the 2010 lawsuit filed against the company, plaintiff Kimberly Young and daughter sustained massive injuries in 2008 when the roof of their Jeep Cherokee collapsed in a rollover accident. Young claimed that the roof was defective and badly designed by the DaimlerChrysler Corp., a former indirect subsidiary of Daimler. Chrysler also avoided the lawsuit because although technically a subsidiary of Daimler, it maintained completely separate offices and operations and denied involvement with the Jeep’s design.

The United States Supreme Court established a precedent to bar personal injury lawsuits against foreign corporations in the interest of international fair play and due process earlier this year in Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations SA v. Brown.

If you have experienced an injury as the result of someone else’s negligent actions, whether a manufacturer, an irresponsible driver, or someone else, the attorneys at Ritter & Associates may help you pursue compensation to cover your damages. Call our San Diego offices today at (619) 296-0123 to learn more.

General Motors will be launching a compensation scheme for the families of the victims affected by the ignition switch failure defect that prompted GM’s recent internal investigation, The Dallas Morning News reported on June 5.

The specifics of the compensation program will be outlined in the coming weeks by expert Kenneth Feinberg, who GM hired in April. Claims will begin being heard on August 1.

GM recalled 2.6 million compact vehicles to repair the ignition switch defect that was responsible for at least 13 deaths in the U.S. Attorney Anton Valukas conducted a thorough internal review of GM in relation to this issue. CEO Mary Barra assured that the delayed recall was not an intentional cover-up, but instead a series of mistakes and neglect.

If you have been injured or your personal welfare has been unduly compromised by a defective product, the experienced product liability attorneys at Ritter & Associates may advocate for you to receive the compensation you deserve. Call (619) 296-0123 today to discuss your legal options.

German drug-maker Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH was fined nearly $1 million for withholding files relating to the conditions of the blood thinner, Pradaxa.

On Monday, December 9, District Judge David Herndon ruled that Boehringer executives acted “in bad faith” by not making Pradaxa’s development and marketing documents accessible to physicians and consumers.

Judge Herndon is handling over 1,700 consolidated lawsuits alleging that Pradaxa use resulted in severe and, sometimes, fatal bleeding. Boehringer is set to make an appearance in federal court in August of 2014. Before the federal trial, Boehringer is scheduled for trial in Delaware, Connecticut, California, and Illinois state courts.

Defective pharmaceuticals can jeopardize victims’ health and financial stability. If you have been harmed by your prescription medicine, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact Ritter & Associates for legal consultations in San Diego. Call (619) 296-0123 today to speak with an experienced attorney.

On November 10, California company, Glass Onion Catering issued a recall for around 181,620 pounds of pre-prepared sandwich and salad products with fully-cooked chicken and ham. The recalled products are suspected of containing harmful E. coli bacteria.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall of the products, which are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some of the recalled products include:

• 12 oz. packages of delish pan pacific chop salad;
• 13.4 oz. packages of delish California-style grilled chicken salad;
• 9.9 oz. packages of delish uncured applewood smoked ham and cheese wrap;
• 10.5 oz. packages of delish grilled chicken Ceasar wrap;
• 10.9 oz. packages of delish southwestern chicken wrap; and
• 11.5 oz. packages of delish Greek brand low-calorie grilled chicken wrap, among others.

Manufacturers have a responsibility to consumers to only release products that are safe for public consumption. If you have been negatively affected due to someone else’s negligence in the San Diego area, contact Ritter & Associates at (619) 296-0123 to learn about your legal options.

A Los Angeles jury determined that Toyota Motor Corp. was not at fault for the death of 66-year-old Noriko Uno in 2009.

Uno’s death was blamed on the driver of a speeding car that collided with Uno’s 2006 Camry, causing her to drive on the wrong side of a one-way road and crash into a tree.

The jury rejected the prosecuting panel’s claims that the lack of a brake-override system in the Camry was the cause of the vehicle’s crash.

The other driver was ordered to pay $10 million in damages to Uno’s husband and son.

Toyota is facing around 85 personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in relation to its 2009 and 2010 vehicle recalls due to acceleration-related concerns, such as sticky pedals and floor mats getting stuck under gas pedals.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident due to a defective vehicle, you may seek legal representation. Please contact our experienced attorneys at Ritter & Associates in San Diego by calling (619) 296-0123 to discuss your case today.

Toyota Motors Corp. and lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit currently facing Toyota have been given more time to come up with final figures to determine how the $1.1 billion settlement for claims regarding recalls due to unintended acceleration will be awarded.

U.S. District Judge James V. Selna, following a hearing on June 13 in Santa Ana, California, declared the case to be on hold while both parties agree on the final payoff figures.

Selna scheduled another hearing on July 19 to find out how the money will be allocated to beneficiaries in the settlement and to make a final approval.

Toyota recalled more than 10 million vehicles for unintended acceleration problems in 2009 and 2010. The recall started in September 2009 with 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles being recalled because floor mats were reported to have been causing accelerator pedal jams.

Toyota later recalled vehicles concerning pedal defects.

The lawyers of Ritter & Associates, who specialize in auto defect claims, may be able to help you if you’ve been harmed in an accident in San Diego caused by a car malfunction. Call (619) 296-0123 to get in touch with our legal team and discuss your options.