The GM ignition switch debacle / tragedy is far from over. There are outstanding civil and criminal investigations, individual and class action lawsuits, as well as what will be a large NHTSA fine sometime after the elections this fall.
In the latest posting on the GM Ignition Switch Claims website, 27 deaths are now listed as eligible for compensation as long as the recipient forfeits the right to further litigation. This is more than double the 13 deaths GM initially said last February that were involved after GM’s ten-year cover up of the ignition switch safety defect in a sordid corporate example of a complete disregard for human life.
Moreover, there are now 1378 claims against GM involving the ignition switch – including 278 alleged deaths, as well as so-called category 1 and category 2 filings. Cat 1 covers Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Double Amputation, Permanent Brain Damage or Pervasive Burns, all likely injuries that could have been avoided or mitigated had anyone at GM did something about a problem that went back to the ignition switch design stage at the turn of the last century.
Cat 2 covers Physical Injuries requiring hospitalization or outpatient medical treatment within 48 hours of the accident where the ignition switch moved out of position thereby disabling the air bags. These are in the process of being evaluated.
Claims will be accepted until the end of this year. Eventually a final tally will emerge from this safety fiasco.
