Damage claims chief urges people to seek payments
Sunday, June 20, 2010
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of the new office set up to handle damage claims for the Gulf oil spill is pledging that all eligible and legitimate claims will be paid -- and paid promptly.
Ken Feinberg, who's the chief of the Independent Claims Facility, wants victims to come forward, file a claim for an emergency payment and then work with the office to come up with a claims program.
Last week BP agreed to President Barack Obama's request for a $20 billion compensation fund.
Feinberg dismisses one Republican's description of the fund as a "shakedown." He says he's been getting bipartisan advice and that it doesn't help to "politicize" the program.
Feinberg spoke Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."
