GM Ignition Switch Now Linked to 35 Deaths

General Motors Co. has now identified 35 fatalities in the U.S. linked to the 2.6 million defective ignition switches it began recalling in February.

GM originally estimated 13 deaths were linked to the flawed switches, which can be jolted into turning off the engine and disabling the vehicle's power steering, power brakes and airbags.

The compensation program, which began accepting claims on Aug. 1, has so far received 2,180 applications, including 225 claims for deaths and 139 claims for catastrophic injuries.

The fund so far has approved 35 death claims and five for severe injuries. It has rejected 215 claims and continues to investigate 455 that were submitted with insufficient paperwork.

GM says about 1,100 claims have been filed with no documentation whatsoever that could link the switch to the reported crash.