Death toll from defective GM ignition switches rises to 107

DETROIT — The death toll from faulty ignition switches in small cars made by General Motors has reached 107.

Victims’ families are being offered compensation of at least US$1 million (S$1.34 million) each by attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM last year. In addition, GM has agreed to make offers to 199 people who were injured in crashes caused by the switches in the Chevrolet Cobalt and other older-model cars.

GM recalled 2.6 million of the cars last year, but acknowledged it knew about problems with the switches for more than a decade.

Mr Feinberg’s compensation fund received 4,342 claims by the Jan 31 deadline. About 9 per cent remain under review. Just under 83 per cent were deemed deficient or ineligible.

GM paid US$200 million to settle claims filed with Mr Feinberg as of March 31. AP