Blumenthal Statement On GM Decision To Seek Counsel From High-Profile Compensation Expert

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement in response to General Motors’ (GM) decision to seek counsel from high-profile compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg in regard to its latest recall of 2.6 million cars. Feinberg is an attorney who has handled compensation issues related to several major tragedies, including the BP oil spill.

“My hope is that GM’s first step shows that it is serious about facing its moral responsibility, and that it will be followed by much bigger, necessary steps. Picking an expert is a positive sign but no substitute for real action – and full, fair compensation for victims. I welcome the indication that GM is taking seriously their obligation to compensate innocent victims of concealed defects – especially in light of the blanket shield from legal responsibility they were afforded by their 2009 bankruptcy proceeding. In addition, I continue to call upon GM to warn drivers still behind the wheel of defective cars to park them until they can be repaired, and to work with Senator Markey and me to reform accountability systems that will guard against these issues in the future.”