General Motors will not have to face dozens of lawsuits accusing it of concealing an ignition-switch defect that has been blamed for more than 200 deaths and serious injuries, a U.S. bankruptcy judge ruled on Wednesday. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber said that some drivers may assert claims against the automaker over its post-bankruptcy actions, but he declined to modify the bankruptcy plan of the old GM, which shielded it from suits related to prior actions. GM has offered a compensation plan to those affected by the faulty ignition switches, including incidents that occurred before its bankruptcy, but some had opted to instead file lawsuits.