GM Recall Death Count on the Rise; Injury and Death Claim Deadline End of 2014

According to Ken Feinberg, the chief of GM’s victim settlement fund, the death count related to accidents caused by defective ignition switches has reached 19.

Feinberg has awarded settlements to 19 families who lost a loved one in an accident related to this GM recall. This is an increase from the 13 victims that were previously identified by regulators and the automaker. While nobody knows how high the death count will climb, it is expected to increase once more people file claims.

Up to this point, 125 people have filed claims for deaths and 320 claims for injuries. Currently 31 claims have been deemed eligible for compensation.  Applications are being accepted through the end of the year.

According to CNN, families of victims that were killed as a result of the defect will receive at least $1 million. Victims that were injured are eligible for $20,000 to $500,000, depending on the severity of there injuries. However, there is no cap on compensation claims.

Were you injured in a car accident caused by a defective vehicle part? Did a vehicle defect cause the untimely death of a loved one? If so, you may want to contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights. If you’d like to speak with one of our attorneys, contact us to setup a free case evaluation.