The deaths link to General Motors' defective ignition switch rose to 23, as posted by the program responsible for compensating victims.
The deputy administrator of the program said that Kenneth R. Feinberg, who oversees the program, has started sending letters with payment offers to more than 30 families who has filed death and injury claims. Just last week, there 21 confirmed deaths from the compiled complaints.
G.M. started the compensation program in August 1, 2014. As of last Friday, the Feinberg program has already received 867 claims, 153 of which reports deaths. Some claims are still waiting proofs that the death or the injury sustained was related to the failed ignition. They are accepting claims until December 31. Out of the claims, 39 are eligible for compensation. The evaluation process can take months after. The program was created to avoid long court battles.
A Pennsylvania boy Trenton Buzard suffered injuries in a 2009 car accident that killed his great-grandmother and aunt died. The airbags didn't deploy, which was the result of a faulty ignition switch. Buzard stayed in pediatric care for four months after the accident. Today, the boy is paralyzed waist down.
The father Robert Buzard said that they payment can help them finance the hospital bills and to pay for the $80,000 wheelchair that insurance won't cover. However, Buzard said that the compensation cannot bring back what his child lost.
"It doesn't make everything right. It's still wrong," said Buzard.
The automaker company started recalling cars in February, with the first batch including 2.6 million cars. This included cars repaired possibly for defunct ignition switch. They recalled car models including 2014 Chevrolet Impala. In August, the recalled cars with ignition-related defects totaled to 16.6 million units.
In May, G.M. was fined a $35 million penalty and required changes in their safety practices after it was reported that there are 13 cases of death linked to their flawed ignition.
