The death toll from faulty ignition switches in General Motors’ small cars has risen by two to 119.
Victims’ families are being offered compensation of at least $1 million each by attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM last year. In addition, Feinberg will make offers to 243 people who were injured in crashes caused by the switches in the Chevrolet Cobalt and other older cars.
GM recalled 2.6 million of the cars last year, but acknowledged it knew about the switch problems for more than a decade.
Feinberg’s compensation fund received 4,342 claims by the Jan. 31 deadline. About 90 per cent were deemed deficient or ineligible. Eighty-one claims remain under review.
GM paid $200 million to settle claims filed with Feinberg as of March 31.
