The first two product recalls settlements in the General Motors ignition switch victims compensation fund have apparently been accepted.
The attorney representing the families of two teenaged girls who died in a 2006 crash has confirmed that the settlement offers made by the fund administrator have been accepted.
Natasha Weigel, 18, and Amy Rademaker, 15, were passengers in a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Megan Phillips. The automobile went off the road into a ditch, became airborne and hit two trees and a telephone box. Rademaker, a high school sophomore, died of her injuries several hours after the crash. Weigel, a recent high school graduate, was in a coma for 11 days before succumbing to her injuries. The driver of the vehicle survived, but suffered permanent brain injuries. The two teen victims are believed to be the first fatalities caused by the defective ignition switches. The ignition key of the 2005 Cobalt was in the “accessory” position at the time of the crash. The airbags failed to deploy.
Following the product recalls of 2.6 million older Cobalts, Saturn Ions and other GM vehicles earlier this year, and facing numerous lawsuits and investigations, General Motors announced a fund to settle wrongful death and personal injury claims for individuals who were involved in crashes related to recalled GM vehicles. Under the terms of the settlement fund, the families of individuals who died in such crashes will receive at least $1 million in addition to $300,000 to surviving spouses and children for pain and suffering. Currently, of 143 death claims that have been filed, 21 have been approved by the fund administrator.
If you or a loved one suffered injury or death in an accident involving a GM vehicle that was recalled due to a faulty ignition switch, contact the Ohio GM Ignition Switch Attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List. Claims must be submitted no later than December 31, 2014.