Danbury, CT (PRWEB) May 11, 2014
Danbury, CT. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D. Conn) has recently called upon the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to force GM to take further action to protect the 2.6 million consumers affected by the ignition switch recall announced earlier this year, including urging GM to warn owners to stop driving the recalled cars until they can be repaired.
In a written response, however, U.S. DOT secretary Anthony Foxx opposed Blumenthal’s request, stating “The NHTSA is satisfied that for now, until the permanent remedy is applied, the safety risk posed by the defect in affected vehicles is sufficiently mitigated by GM's recommended action." The recommended action Foxx is referring to consists of GM informing owners to remove extra keys or devices from their key rings, until the defective ignition switch can be replaced.
Attorney Agostinho Ribeiro, CEO of Fairfield County based Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith, is coming forward in support of Senator Blumenthal’s position. Ribeiro has recently assembled a high profile national team of attorneys to represent victims of the GM recall, including Missouri’s Daniel DeFeo, a specialist in automotive litigation, and Louisiana’s Ronnie Penton, a lead attorney in the BP oil spill case. Says Ribeiro of GM’s actions, “For GM to tell owners that it’s safe to continue driving these vehicles, despite knowing they can suddenly shut off while traveling at highway speeds, is to blatantly disregard basic standards of consumer safety.”
In an effort to increase public awareness of the dangers posed by these vehicles, Ribeiro has reached out to Senator Blumenthal, regarding information Ribeiro’s team has uncovered while interviewing clients affected by this recall. Ribeiro states, “What is really troubling is that many of these clients have tried contacting GM regarding ignition switch problems with their vehicles - only to be told they’re on a six month waiting list before anything can be done for them.” Among those clients Ribeiro represents are family members of those who have died due to fatal accidents involving GM vehicles, many of whom have only recently realized that the accident was linked to an ignition switch failure.
Since the Recall was announced in February, GM has publicly claimed that they are offering loaner cars to any GM owners with safety concerns, while owners wait for their dealership to receive of the necessary replacement part. However, Ribeiro adds that his team represents clients across the country who have been turned down for a loaner by GM, being told they have nothing to worry about with their vehicles. Says Ribeiro, “I agree with Senator Blumenthal that GM owners should be extremely concerned for their safety, and can only hope that GM will uphold its duty to consumers and their families who have no choice but to rely on these vehicles for everyday transportation, until GM takes adequate corrective action.”
Attorney Ribeiro started practicing with the firm now known as Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith in 1989. In 1992, Attorney Ribeiro opened a branch office in the World Trade Center in New York City, where he concentrated in Federal Court litigation. After September 11, 2001, Attorney Ribeiro represented, pro bono, victims of the World Trade Center disaster, and was nationally honored for his volunteer efforts in this regard.
Attorney Ribeiro was named "Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Connecticut" by the National Trial Lawyers Association in both 2010 and 2011. He was elected by his peers to the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. He is also a member of the Leader's Forum, a select group of attorneys recognized by the American Association of Justice.
Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith has offices in Danbury, Bridgeport, Hartford and Norwalk, CT and New York City. Tel: 203. 800.8000 http www vrslaw.com
Sources:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/05/senators-request-general-motors-be-forced-to-warn-customers-to-stop-driving-recalled-cars/#ixzz319q33JikLocal Attorney Representing GM Recall Victims Speaks out Against Inadequate Safety Response
Danbury, CT. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D. Conn) has recently called upon the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to force GM to take further action to protect the 2.6 million consumers affected by the ignition switch recall announced earlier this year, including urging GM to warn owners to stop driving the recalled cars until they can be repaired.
In a written response issued today, however, U.S. DOT secretary Anthony Foxx opposed Blumenthal’s request, stating “The NHTSA is satisfied that for now, until the permanent remedy is applied, the safety risk posed by the defect in affected vehicles is sufficiently mitigated by GM's recommended action." The recommended action Foxx is referring to consists of GM informing owners to remove extra keys or devices from their key rings, until the defective ignition switch can be replaced.
Attorney Agostinho Ribeiro, CEO of Fairfield County based Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith, is coming forward in support of Senator Blumenthal’s position. Ribeiro has recently assembled a high profile national team of attorneys to represent victims of the GM recall, including Missouri’s Daniel DeFeo, a specialist in automotive litigation, and Louisiana’s Ronnie Penton, a lead attorney in the BP oil spill case. Says Ribeiro of GM’s actions, “For GM to tell owners that it’s safe to continue driving these vehicles, despite knowing they can suddenly shut off while traveling at highway speeds, is to blatantly disregard basic standards of consumer safety.”
In an effort to increase public awareness of the dangers posed by these vehicles, Ribeiro has reached out to Senator Blumenthal, regarding information Ribeiro’s team has uncovered while interviewing clients affected by this recall. Ribeiro states, “What is really troubling is that many of these clients have tried contacting GM regarding ignition switch problems with their vehicles - only to be told they’re on a six month waiting list before anything can be done for them.” Among those clients Ribeiro represents are family members of those who have died due to fatal accidents involving GM vehicles, many of whom have only recently realized that the accident was linked to an ignition switch failure.
Since the Recall was announced in February, GM has publically claimed that they are offering loaner cars to any GM owners with safety concerns, while owners wait for their dealership to receive of the necessary replacement part. However, Ribeiro adds that his team represents clients across the country who have been turned down for a loaner by GM, being told they have nothing to worry about with their vehicles. Says Ribeiro, “I agree with Senator Blumenthal that GM owners should be extremely concerned for their safety, and can only hope that GM will uphold its duty to consumers and their families who have no choice but to rely on these vehicles for everyday transportation, until GM takes adequate corrective action.”
Attorney Ribeiro started practicing with the firm now known as Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith in 1989. In 1992, Attorney Ribeiro opened a branch office in the World Trade Center in New York City, where he concentrated in Federal Court litigation. After September 11, 2001, Attorney Ribeiro represented, pro bono, victims of the World Trade Center disaster, and was nationally honored for his volunteer efforts in this regard.
Attorney Ribeiro was named "Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Connecticut" by the National Trial Lawyers Association in both 2010 and 2011. He was elected by his peers to the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. He is also a member of the Leader's Forum, a select group of attorneys recognized by the American Association of Justice.
Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith has offices in Danbury, Bridgeport, Hartford and Norwalk, CT and New York City. Tel: 203. 800.8000 http www vrslaw.com
Sources: