Another seven death claims have been approved for compensation as a result of the GM ignition switch recall.
That brings the total to 97 death claims that have been approved for compensation, each one of which will receive at least $1 million. The fund also approved 16 new injury claims, bringing the total for injuries up to 179 approved claims, 12 for serious injuries and 167 for minor injuries.
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GM initially thought that only 13 deaths were the result of a faulty ignition switch in its small cars which can inadvertently shut off the engine, disabling the power steering and air bags. Evidence of the problem was available to GM for a decade before the company recalled the cars.
In total, 4,342 claims were submitted, including 474 death claims. Of those, 669 claims are still under review by the compensation fund administration, 45 of which are death claims. Since this started, 1,693 claims have been ruled ineligible, including 212 deaths. As of last month, 167 offers have been made by the fund, 113 of which have been accepted. Five were rejected and 81 have been paid out.
GM says it expects the fund to complete its review by September 30.
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