Wrongful Death Tally Against GM’s Ignition Switch Delayed Vehicle Recall Rises to 29

According to the attorneys working with General Motors to manage the personal injury and wrongful death claims for the ignition switch victims’ compensation fund, the total number of people who died as a result of the delayed vehicle recall has risen to 29.

The group says there have also been a confirmed 27 serious injuries related to the ignition switch crashes.

The compensation fund has received 184 wrongful death claims involving automobile crashes due to faulty ignition switches since August of this year, when the compensation fund details were finalized and GM began accepting claims. Although the attorneys, led by Kenneth Feinberg, are still working through the compensation claims, the group has accepted 29 of those as legitimate wrongful death claims at this time. Of the 1,333 total claimants, 27 have been offered compensation so far.

Potential delayed vehicle recall victims have until December 31st to apply for personal injury or wrongful death compensation. They must provide evidence that a faulty ignition switch was the cause of their accident, however, and some victims have filed their own, separate civil suit against GM because they do not believe they will receive fair compensation for their personal injuries, or their loved one’s wrongful death.

A judge in civil court is currently deciding whether the terms of GM’s 2009 bankruptcy filing will protect the company from the personal injury claims or not. GM claims that prior to their bankruptcy, the company was “old GM,” which made numerous mistakes and cut corners on production. The company states that “new GM” should not be held responsible for “old GM’s” mistakes.

It is unclear if the 29 wrongful deaths and 27 serious personal injuries are in addition to GM’s original claim of 56 injuries and 13 deaths related to faulty ignition switches, or if the company has scrapped those numbers and started again.

As of October 2014, GM has issued vehicle recalls covering over 30 million vehicles for the ignition switch problem alone, and has issued numerous other recalls due to an abundance of caution around its reputation. CEO Mary Barra testified before Congress that the automotive manufacturer – which had revamped itself following a 2009 bankruptcy case – was doing everything in its power to keep consumers safe from the defective ignition switches.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Defective Products and Vehicle Recall Cases

If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today at (803) 252-4800.