GM Links 19 Deaths to Faulty Ignition Switch on Cars

How many lives have been needlessly lost due to a fault on General Motors cars?

It’s a question that has occupied a lot of experts’ time and is likely to be played out at some point in court.

In the latest episode in the saga of GM’s faulty ignition switches, compensation experts hired by the automaker say 19 wrongful death claims are eligible for compensation from the company.

However, Associated Press reported on how Attorney Kenneth Feinberg has received 125 death claims to date due to the faulty switches in older-model small cars such as the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Saturn Ion. He said in a report issued on Monday that the rest remain under review or require further documentation.

Feinberg was hired by GM to compensate victims of crashes caused by the faulty switches which can cause a loss of power and mean the air bag fails to deploy in a wreck. GM has blamed the switches for at least 13 deaths. Lawmakers and attorneys have put the death toll closer to 100.

Feinberg said he has also received 320 claims for compensation due to injuries. Of those claims, 12 have been deemed eligible for payments so far.

The switches can slip out of the run position, causing engines to stall. If you have been injured in an accident caused by this defect, you have grounds to make a claim. You can also make a claim if it has led to the death of a loved one. Call our Virginia auto defect attorneys at 757.455.0077 or see CooperHurley.com.