General Motors has so far recognized 13 deaths connected to the faulty ignition switch found in 2.6 million of its small cars, but over 100 claims from family members saying their loved ones were killed as a result of the switch have been filed with compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg. An additional 184 people have also filed claims saying they were injured in the cars.
The Detroit Free Press says each individual who files a claim against GM must have evidence that proves the faulty ignition switch was the primary cause of the accident. Feinberg began accepting claims on August 1 and will allow them to be filed through to December 31.
GM hired Feinberg to set up a broad compensation plan after it was found the company delayed to recall certain Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions, Pontiac G5s, Chevrolet HHRs, Pontiac Solstices and Saturn Skys. The vehicles had a faulty ignition switch which could be turned off if lightly bumped or jostled, which was the cause of at least 13 fatal accidents.
Feinberg’s compensation fund is uncapped, as its unclear how many eligible claims will be filed. GM put aside $400 million-$600 million from its quarterly earnings in July to settle the claims filed with Feinberg. The criteria for eligibility is listed at GMIgnitionCompensation.com.
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