GM Compensation Fund Receives Nearly 100 Claim Submissions Thus Far

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Last Friday was the first day claims linked to accidents and fatalities related to the ignition switch that kicked-off the 2014 General Motors recall parade could be submitted to the compensation fund set up by GM and Kenneth Feinberg. Thus far, 93 such claims have been submitted.

The Detroit News reports around 50 of those claims were submitted on the first day. Deputy administrator Camille S. Biros said most of the claims lacked supporting documents, though she expects the lawyers to submit them soon enough. The majority of the claims were submitted electronically en masse by attorneys representing clients who may have been affected in some way as a result of the defective ignition switch.

Upon being found “substantially complete,” the claims will be decided within 90 to 180 days, depending on complexity (or lack there of) of each claim. GM set aside $400 million for the payouts, though the total payout could be as high as $600 million, with Feinberg repeatedly stressing that there will be no cap on total claims.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Lon888 Lon888 on Aug 07, 2014

    Do you have to be a lawyer to submit a claim? If you do then that means the lawyer is going to get about 50% of it. If I would have been affected by this issue, I think would tried to submit the claim myself so that some greedy lawyer doesn't get one-half of it for very little effort.

    • Cameron Aubernon Cameron Aubernon on Aug 07, 2014

      According to the Final Protocol document at the claim's website, you can claim for yourself, or have a legal representative file the claim for you or the one(s) you lost.

  • Notapreppie Notapreppie on Aug 08, 2014

    "GM set aside $400 million has been set aside for the payouts..." Who's in charge of proofreading?

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