January 27, 2015 — General Motors (GM) has confirmed that they will compensate 50 claims involving wrongful deaths caused by a defective ignition switch that can shut off the engine, airbags, power-steering and brakes.
The announcement was made by Kenneth Feinberg, a mediator who oversaw a compensation fund for victims of 9/11 and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
He has extended the deadline for filing a claim until this Saturday, January 31, and will accept claims so long as they are postmarked by this date.
His law firm has received over 3,000 compensation claims for injuries and deaths. About 75 claims involving severe injuries have already been approved.
Of the wrongful death claims, 67 are still being reviewed, 53 were submitted without sufficient documentation, 58 claims were deemed ineligible, and 110 claims were rejected.
Feinberg promised his law firm will decide whether to compensate the claims within 90-180 days after they are deemed substantially complete.
GM has stated that a base payment of $1 million will be awarded for each wrongful death. The auto-maker has already set aside $400 million to compensate victims. Victims who reject compensation will still be allowed to file a lawsuit, but no offers have been rejected yet.
Last year, GM recalled about 2.6 million older-model small cars because the ignition could bump out of the “run” position into “accessory” or “off,” shutting down the engine, airbags, steering, and brakes. At the time, GM said only 12 deaths were linked to the problem.
Do I have an Ignition Switch Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting ignition switch induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a defective ignition or airbags on a recalled vehicle, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Automotive & Crashworthiness Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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