GM Victim Fund Makes First Offers as New Claims Roll In

General Motors Co. has made preliminary cash offers on about 15 claims of death or major injury resulting from 2.6 million defective ignition switches recalled in February, according to the office administering the program.

The fund, which is headed by compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg, has approved claims involving 21 deaths and 16 serious injuries so far. Payments are to compensate victims of ignition switches that slipped out of the "run" position, thereby turning off the engine and disabling the airbags, power steering and power brakes.

Feinberg's office says it had received 850 applications, including 150 death claims, by Wednesday. The program launched on Aug. 1 and will accept claims through the end of this year.