Lawsuit That Showed GM Hid Ignition Switch Problem Settled

A Georgia lawsuit that helped expose General Motors' failure to disclose a deadly defect in small-car ignition switches has been settled out of court for a second time. Lawyers representing the parents of crash victim Brooke Melton announced the settlement Friday morning. Engineers hired by lawyers working for the Melton family found that GM modified the switches after finding problems, but failed to disclose that under oath in legal depositions or to government safety investigators. Later, congressional staffers and GM found documents showing the company knew about switch problems for a decade, yet it failed to recall the cars until last year. Brooke Melton died in a March 2010 crash near Atlanta when the ignition switch of her car slipped out of the run position.