DETROIT (AP) — Kenneth Feinberg says there is no limit on the total amount he can pay people harmed in crashes caused by faulty General Motors ignition switches.

The nation's top compensation expert also says GM won't have any say in the amounts he can offer people, which could include drivers, passengers and even pedestrians.

GM recalled 2.6 million small cars this year, admitting that it knew for years that the cars' ignition switches can unexpectedly shut off the engine and cause drivers to lose control of their cars. The air bags are also disabled.

GM links 13 deaths to the problem, but trial lawyers and lawmakers say claims of wrongful death and injury could total in the hundreds.

Feinberg announced the terms of the compensation plan Monday in Washington.

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