The new Gulf Coast Claims Facility, a $20 billion fund designed to reimburse those affected by the gulf oil spill debuted on August 23, 2010, replacing the old system for filing a claim against BP.
British Petroleum has paid out more than $368 million in damage, lost revenue, lost wage and medical claims by Gulf-area businesses, workers and residents, and transferred responsibility for the claims process to the independent Gulf Coast Claims Facility.
How to File a Claim Against BP with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility
Gulf-area businesses, residents, and workers that already filed claims against BP using the former system need to re-file using the new GCCF process, according to Washington attorney Kenneth R. Feinberg, the administrator for the new system. Feinberg handled similar, independent claims funds for victims of Agent Orange use during the Vietnam War and for victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. according to AFP news reports on the new Gulf Coast Claims Facility.
The new fund requires that any claimant who filed against BP using the old BP claims system must re-file with the new GCCF system, though all documentation required for claims has been transferred from the old system to the new one. British Petroleum pays for the Gulf Coast Claims Facility fund, but the GCCF independent body handles all decisions related to gulf oil spill claims. BP does not have the final say in specific decisions related to oil spill claims.
For more specific information on older claims against BP and transferring information, please read How to File a BP Claim for the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill.
Gulf Oil Spill and New Claims with GCCF
Claim forms are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Khmer. According to the GCCF, eligible claimants, including individuals and businesses that "have incurred damages as a result of the Spill may submit a claim to the GCCF for Removal and Clean Up Costs, Damage to Real or Personal Property, Lost Earnings or Profits, Loss of Subsistence Use of Natural Resources, or Physical Injury or Death."
Claimants and persons planning to file a claim against BP can contact the Gulf Coast Claims Facility by telephone at 800-916-4893, by email at info@gccf-claims.com, or online at the GCCF website.
Related Articles and the BP Oil Spill Claims Process
For additional information about filing a claim against BP for lost revenue, wages, damages, medical expenses, or more, please view the following related articles:
BP Claims Phone Numbers - This article provides information on wildlife issues, volunteer opportunities, and more related to the Gulf oil spill?
Help Wanted for Gulf Oil Spill Jobs - Looking for work related to the oil spill? Find oil spill employment information here.
References:
"Fund for those hurt by BP spill up and running", AFP news, accessed August 23, 2010
"BP claims switch to neutral arm today", The Times-Picayune, accessed August 23, 2010
" Independent agency takes over Gulf claims payments ", CNN, accessed August 23, 2010
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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