The number of deaths linked to a faulty ignition switch in General Motors vehicles increased by two last week to 23.
Since Aug. 1, approximately 867 claims for compensation for serious injuries or deaths to have been caused by the issue had been received by a lawyer overseeing a program set up to compensate accident victims.
As of Sept. 26, 23 death claims had been deemed eligible, along with 16 claims for serious physical injuries, according to Reuters, citing statistics provided by Feinberg's office. Just a week ago those numbers were 21 and 16, respectively.
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.
Feinberg's office originally reported approving 19 death claims last week in the first update since the program started accepting claims.
GM executives have said Feinberg will figure out how many people are eligible for compensation under the program and the fund "has not be capped," according to Reuters.
Eligible death claims will receive at least $1 million, which could increase depending on factors like if the deceased had any dependents.
The automaker set aside $400 million to cover the compensation costs, and said the total could rise by another $200 million.
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.
Feinberg's office said last week it made the first cash offers to approximately 15 people. Three of the families have accepted settlements so far, including the family of a two-year old boy who was paralyzed from the chest down during an April 2009 accident, according to Reuters.
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