A Windsor law firm has announced a class-action lawsuit against General Motors.

Lawyer Alex Constantin tells CTV News that Sutts, Strosberg LLP will represent 16 plaintiffs from the Windsor-Essex area in the lawsuit against GM.

Constantin says the claim is in relation to the ignition switch defect that has caused the auto maker to recall 2.6 million small cars worldwide. The class-action is yet to be certified.

The official claims states:

“As a result of the dangerous defects in the ignition switch in the vehicles, and the failure by GM and GMC to disclose this safety issue until 2014, the Class has suffered damages. The value of each of the Vehicles is reduced. Each Class Member must expend the time to have his/her Vehicle repaired and be without their motor vehicles”.

As a result the firm is seeking $500 million in general and special damages – with an additional $150 million in punitive-aggregated damages.

“The Plaintiffs have driven their Vehicles less than they otherwise would due to fear of being in an accident. They have taken taxis and public transportation. They have incurred expenses.”

Sutts, Strosberg joins a growing number of law firms from across Canada and the United States, who have already filed a suit against GM. Over the past couple of weeks, Merchant Law Group LLP filed claims against the auto maker in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

GM issued the recall because their ignition switches can move from the "run" to the "accessory" or "off" position, which causes the car to stall and disables the air bags and power steering. GM revised the total number of fatalities associated with the recall to 13.

The plaintiffs want to try the case in a Windsor courtroom.

CTV Windsor reached out to GM for comment, and received the following statement from Faye Roberts, communications director for General Motors of Canada:

"We are deeply sorry. We are doing all that we can to make things right and to ensure our safety processes are world class. Our focus is on our customers’ safety and peace of mind and to get their vehicles fixed as quickly as possible. We've established a customer website on the recall: www.gmignitionupdate.ca. Customers can also contact 1-800-263-3777. At this time, no more detailed information is available."

With files from The Associated Press