As Recognized Death Toll Rises, Document Retention and Turnover Demanded of GM

As the General Motors ignition switch recall scandal heats up in the courts, judges have ordered the preservation of recall-related documents from GM’s auditor, supplier, and underwriters in the securities fraud class action case, and also ordered the turnover of all documents GM provided to Congress, NHTSA and other government agencies pertaining to cases claiming personal injury and wrongful death. The delayed ignition switch recall has now been attributed to 80 deaths and 148 injuries approved to receive payments from GM’s $600 million compensation fund. The growing number of deaths due to ignition switch-related accidents has triggered investigations by the Justice Department, SEC, 49 state attorneys general and Transport Canada (Canada’s government agency responsible for transportation regulations, policies, and services).