GM not liable for punitive damages in ignition-switch cases, court rules GM not liable for punitive damages in ignition-switch cases, court rules November 19, 2019 dzadmin Comments 0 Comment The 3-0 decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan may help GM reduce its ultimate exposure in nationwide litigation over defective ignition switches in several Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn models.