GM Ignition-Switch Death Toll Now at 57

The acknowledged death toll linked to defective General Motors Co. ignition switches grew by one to 57 last week. The GM fund offering compensation to victims also raised the number of eligible injury claims by seven to 94.

The fund began accepting claims in August and stopped taking them at the end of last month. But compensation expert Ken Feinberg, who oversees the program, expects to continue evaluating applications for several months.

GM has earmarked as much as $600 million for the fund. Feinberg has sole discretion in setting the amount of the payouts. which are intended to compensate victims of faulty switches in some 2.6 million cars recalled last year. The devices can be jarred out of the "run" position, thereby disabing the engine, power brakes, power steering and airbags.