The death toll from General Motors’ defective ignition switch has risen to 80, according to the lawyer hired to review and approve victims’ claims.
The office of lawyer Kenneth Feinberg, who is overseeing victim compensation on GM’s behalf, has approved 80 death claims and 148 injury claims as of Friday, April 3.
The 148 injury claims are a combination of claims for serious injuries and claims for less severe injuries.
The deadline for victims to file claims was Jan. 31.
GM hired Feinberg last year to oversee compensation for victims stemming from the delayed recall of 2.6 million vehicles with faulty ignition switches.
The faulty switches can move to accessory mode or off, disabling the vehicle’s airbag, in the event of a crash.
GM originally said it knew of 13 deaths linked to the defect.
A person seeking compensation must prove that the airbag did not deploy, and must show that the defective switch was the primary factor in the crash.
Feinberg’s office says 228 of 4,342 claims have been ruled eligible and 1,246 claims are still under review.
GM estimates that it will pay out $400 million to $600 million to compensate victims under the program.
