GM ignition switch death toll reaches 117 as fund completes review
The official death toll from General Motors' defective ignition switches rose to 117, according to the latest figures from the company's independent compensation fund in June 2015.
The number of deaths linked to General Motors' faulty ignition switches rose to 117 in June 2015, following the latest update from the automaker's independent compensation fund. The fund, overseen by attorney Kenneth Feinberg, was established after GM admitted the defect had caused fatal crashes in its small cars.
When the fund began accepting claims in August 2014, GM had acknowledged only 13 deaths related to the ignition switch problem. By the time the claims window closed on 31 January 2015, 474 fatality claims had been submitted. Of these, 117 were deemed eligible for compensation, according to the fund's June 2015 report. Sixteen death claims remained under review at that point.
Background to the defect and recall
GM's ignition switch defect, present in models such as the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion, could cause the ignition to move out of the 'run' position. This would disable power steering, power brakes and airbags, often with catastrophic results if a crash followed. The company recalled 2.6 million vehicles worldwide in February 2014, but internal documents later revealed GM had known about the issue for over a decade before taking action.
The compensation fund also assessed injury claims. Thirteen cases involving life-altering injuries, such as permanent brain damage or double amputation, were approved, with a further 27 still under review at the time. Another 224 claims for less severe injuries requiring hospital or outpatient treatment were accepted, while 36 remained under review.
Compensation and legal consequences
GM committed to pay at least $1 million for each death recognised by the fund, plus $300,000 for a surviving spouse and another $300,000 for each dependent. Injury victims were eligible for a minimum of $20,000, with higher amounts for more serious cases. To receive compensation, claimants had to waive their right to sue GM over the ignition switch defect.
By March 2015, GM had paid out $200 million to settle claims filed with the fund. The company continued to face investigations by the US Justice Department, Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as ongoing civil litigation. The scale of the defect, and the length of time GM delayed its recall, drew criticism from safety advocates and regulators.
Injury and fatality claims: breakdown
| Claim type | Total submitted | Eligible | Ineligible | Deficient | Under review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death | 474 | 117 | 287 | 54 | 16 |
| Category One injury | 289 | 13 | 198 | 51 | 27 |
| Category Two injury | 3,579 | 224 | 2,389 | 930 | 36 |
