GM raises death toll linked to its defective units to 21

(MENAFN) General Motors raised the death toll linked to the defective ignition switches to 21 as compensation claims mount following its delayed safety recall of the faulty cars, AFP reported.

The US automaker giant said it received 675 claims as of September 19, including 143 death claims. Of the total, 37 claims were determined entitled for compensation to date, including 21 for deaths.

In the latest tally, the number of claims for hospitalization or outpatient medical treatment halting from ignition-related accidents rose to 467 from the week-ago number of 262.

Financial and medical treatment compensation of at least 20,000 will also be offered to those with eligible physical injury claims from an accident, the attorney in charge of the independent compensation fund set up by GM said.