GM Mediator Crash Payouts

A plan recently developed for General Motors (GM) by Mediator Kenneth Feinberg, who previously helped develop terms following the 9-11 terror attacks, BP oil spill and multiple shooting incidents, will provide compensation for people killed in accidents caused by faulty ignition switches. Under the guidelines, families will be offered $1 million for the death of the victim, plus $300,000 for the surviving spouse and $300,000 for each of the victim's surviving dependents. Those payments are intended to cover non-economic losses, such as emotional distress. Claimants in the case can choose options for economic losses and look at the victim's previous earnings, benefits, age and household to determine how much should be awarded, including a victim's past, present and assumed future income. The protocol takes effect August 1. GM has launched a website that describes the plan-- www.gmignitioncompensation.com. Victims submitting personal injury claims are being compensated for economic and non-economic losses on a sliding scale, from $500,000 if they were hospitalized for at least 32 days, down to $20,000 for one overnight hospitalization. Eligible claimants who were physically injured in an accident related to the ignition switches but not hospitalized overnight will receive up to $20,000 for medical treatment. The compensation plan also notes that, "because the physical injuries are so vastly different, and have significantly different long-term effects," each major injury claim will be evaluated to establish non-economic loss. Lawsuits against GM claim a death toll of around 60. The U.S. Department of Transportation already fined GM $35 million for the safety issues related to the delayed recall. See news story here-- http://cbsn.ws/1qgPuzY