GM Ignition Switch Recall Death Claims Creep Up to 49

Nearly one year after General Motors announced its infamous ignition switch recall, fatalities resulting from the faulty key system defect now number 49. Additionally, five new injury claims have been approved by Kenneth Feinberg, GM’s compensation fund adviser, raising that figure to 72. The $400-$600 million fund was set up by GM to compensate victims and their families for injuries and losses they sustained from the automaker’s defective ignition switches that caused loss of engine power and therefore disabled safety features such as power steering and air bags. The January 31, 2015 deadline for filing injury or death claims—extended by 30 days, at Feinberg’s recommendation—is fast approaching. Feinberg noted that final tallies will likely be known come summertime, after all claim applications are reviewed.  Read more here.