Over 100 died from GM ignition-switch issues, survivors claim
When General Motors announced a compensation plan for those injured and killed because of ignition-switch issues in vehicles manufactured by the automaker, the company confirmed 13 deaths.
However, claims have now been made concerning more than 100 deaths in the first month of a compensation program administered by disaster master Kenneth Feinberg, according to CNN Money, the Detroit Free Press and Reuters. Feinberg will continue to accept claims through Dec. 31.
Attorney Jere Beasley represents a number of individuals who have made claims. He told Reuters more claims were expected initially than the current number of applications seeking compensation for 107 deaths and 202 injuries. Beasley suggested attorneys may be waiting to see how much compensation will be offered before submitting all claims.
The total amount to be paid by the compensation plan isn’t capped. However, GM has estimated it will pay between $400 million and $600 million to settle all claims.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “GM cites ‘pattern of incompetence,’ fires 15 including legal execs, will pay ignition-switch victims”’
ABAJournal.com: “Plaintiffs’ lawyers identify problems with GM compensation plan for ignition-switch accidents”
ABAJournal.com: “As leaders blame GM lawyers for ignition woes, lawmaker asks: Why wasn’t general counsel fired?”
