General Motors will pay compensation for 21 deaths linked to a faulty ignition switch, which is more than the 13 deaths the automaker previously admitted were caused by the now recalled part.
Since Aug. 1, at least 675 claims for serious injuries or deaths believed to have been caused by the switch had been received by the program being overseen by lawyer Kenneth Feinberg.
As of Sept. 19, 21 death claims had been deemed eligible, along with 16 claims for serious physical injuries, according to statistics provided by Feinberg's office.
Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31 on behalf of individuals injured or killed in accidents they say were caused by the switch, which caused a recall of more than 2.6 million vehicles. The problem with the switch can cause it to slip out of position, effectively stalling the vehicle, and disabling airbags.
Earlier this month, in the first update since the program started accepting claims.
Feinberg's office originally reported approving 19 death claims last week in the first update since the program started accepting claims.
As of last week, a total of 143 death claims had been submitted to the program, according to Reuters.
The company's figures for switch-related accidents had been reached using "very different criteria from the compensation program," but GM has accepted Feinberg's determinations, said GM spokesman Dave Roman, according to Reuters.
Roman added that GM's goal is to reach as many eligible people as possible.
The claims that haven't been approved yet are either not eligible, are awaiting further documentation or are still under review, according to Feinberg's office.
New claims are still being submitted to Feinberg's office and some attorneys representing victims have confirmed that they are receiving and looking over potential new claims as well, according to Reuters.
The amount victims can receive per claim has not be capped. Under the program's protocol, eligible death claims will receive at least $1 million, which could increase depending on factors like whether the deceased had any dependents.
GM has $400 million set aside to cover the compensation costs, according to Reuters.
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