Skip to main content

Statement on General Motors Plan to Compensate Victims

June 30, 2014

Washington, D.C. – Today, General Motors (GM) announced its plan to compensate the victims of its failure to address defective ignition switches in its vehicles, and its failure to recall those vehicles in a timely manner. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in response:

“At least 54 crashes, at least 13 deaths, and a yet untold number of injuries resulted from GM’s failure to recall defective ignition switches. There is now a structured way for victims or their families to receive compensation for injuries and deaths related to the company’s failure. Those who suffered deserve compensation for their losses, and the plan outlined this morning lays the groundwork for a fair and efficient process.

I am pleased that compensation will be extended to those who suffered before GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009, and that there will be no cap on individual compensation resulting from ignition switch failures.

GM must also ensure that the eligibility criteria are broad enough to cover all those affected by its unsafe vehicles and the company’s decade-long inability to notify consumers of the extraordinarily dangerous ignition-switch defect.

It is important that victims know their rights under this process as well as legal alternatives, and I expect GM to make those choices clear.

While no compensation could adequately replace what victims and their families have lost, I hope today’s announcement provides some needed certainty. I will continue to monitor this program to ensure that GM meets the needs of the victims of its ignition switch defect.

This announcement will not delay federal investigations into the company for possible criminal wrongdoing nor legislative efforts to reduce the likelihood of this type of tragedy recurring. I will remain engaged in those efforts and work to ensure that GM is held accountable for the entirety of its wrongdoing.”

###