GM ignition-switch deaths total 124, with 266 injuries

Associated Press

DETROIT

General Motors’ faulty ignition switches were responsible for at least 124 deaths and 266 injuries, according to a fund set up to compensate the victims.

The fund, run by attorney Kenneth Feinberg, said Monday it has finished processing the 4,342 claims it received by the Jan. 31 deadline. Of those, 80 percent – or 3,499 – were deemed ineligible and 453 were deficient. Claimants could not appeal Feinberg’s decision.

Victims’ families are being offered compensation of at least $1 million each.

Camille Biros, the program’s deputy administrator, said Monday that the fund has made 280 compensation offers so far. Of those, 209 have been accepted and six have been rejected. Each claimant has 90 days to accept or reject a compensation offer.

GM recalled 2.6 million Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars last year but acknowledged it knew about the ignition-switch problems for more than a decade.

As of March 31, GM had paid $200 million to settle claims filed with Feinberg. The company has said it expects to pay up to $600 million.