GM ignition switch death toll switches rises to 97

NEW YORK - Families of at least 97 people killed in crashes caused by defective General Motors ignition switches will get compensated by the automaker.

Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM to compensate victims, updated the total on Monday. It stood at 90 deaths last week.

An additional 179 people who were injured will also receive compensation.

According to Feinberg, 130 compensation offers have been accepted so far and five have been rejected. The amounts offered have not been disclosed.

The fund received 4,342 claims by the Jan. 31 deadline, and about 15 percent of the claims are still under review. More than two-thirds were found ineligible or deficient.

GM knew about problem switches in Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars for more than a decade but recalled them only last year. They can slip out of the "on" position, causing the cars to stall.