42 killed in GM ignition switch defect accidents: claims administratorDecember 16, 2014 - 10:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 42 people have been killed and 58 have been injured in General Motors vehicles that suffered from an ignition switch defect, says the latest report by the claims administrator, according to BBC News. Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM to oversee its compensation fund, said he has received 251 death claims and 2,075 injury claims since August. A total 100 of those claims were deemed eligible. Potential claimants have until Jan 31 to submit paperwork. Feinberg, who previously administered claims for the 9/11 victims fund and those harmed by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, has set up a website, for those looking to submit claims. GM has set aside an estimated $400mln to pay out to claimants who were impacted by the defect, which involved ignition switches in millions of GM vehicles that could suddenly twist, thus turning the vehicle off. GM has come under fire from U.S. regulators and politicians for its failure to identify the problem earlier and alert consumers. "Our goal with the compensation program has been to reach every eligible person impacted," GM said in a statement. "Our focus isn't on numbers, but to continue doing the right thing for all those who lost loved ones or suffered physical injury. To that end, we accept Feinberg's determinations for the compensation program." GM has been accused of hiding the defect for nearly a decade, despite multiple warnings from staff and complaints from consumers. The firm has been forced to recall over 29 million cars worldwide this year - more than the total number of vehicles it sold in 2013 - although not all of the recalls were related to the ignition defect. In April, GM's chief executive Mary Barra apologized for the fault when she appeared at a congressional hearing over the issue. "I cannot tell you why it took years for a safety defect to be announced... but I can tell you that we will find out," Barra saidwhile testifying before a U.S. House of Representatives panel investigating the issue. In May, GM was fined $35mln by the U.S. highway safety administrator for its failure to issue a recall earlier - the maximum amount allowed by law. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. |