21 deaths in GM ignition switch case eligible for compensation
by The Associated Press
Deaths deemed eligible as part of Kenneth Feinberg's investigation into ignition switch problems plaguing automaker
DETROIT—The death toll from crashes involving General Motors Co. (GM) small cars with faulty ignition switches has risen to at least 21.
Compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg said in an Internet posting he had received 143 death claims as of Sept. 19.
He has determined that 21 are eligible for compensation so far.
Last week, 19 death claims were deemed eligible for payments.
Feinberg also has received 532 injury claims.
Of those, 16 are eligible for compensation thus far.
The rest are still being reviewed.
GM has admitted knowing about the ignition switch problem in small cars like the Chevrolet Cobalt for more than a decade.
It didn’t begin recalling the cars until February.
The switches can unexpectedly shut off the engine and cause crashes.
GM hired Feinberg to compensate crash victims.
