BP claims chief works at gaining public’s trust

Twenty minutes before Kenneth Feinberg, the man newly entrusted with the $20 billion BP claims account, arrived at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center last week, more than 150 people had already filled the seats in the auditorium waiting for answers.

The low hum of concerned voices echoed through the auditorium as Feinberg stepped to the podium, but the message was loud and clear – many residents of south Louisiana remain economically and emotionally broken from the oil disaster, and look to the claims czar to help ease their financial burden.

“I recognize that you are here because you have been harmed,” Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said at the opening of the meeting. “It’s important that we meet as often as possible, if necessary, to make certain that your experience throughout this is as comfortable as possible. That’s why Mr. Feinberg has been assigned to this.”

As of Aug. 23, the claims process once manned by BP is now assigned to Feinberg’s Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), which will be expediting payments to private individuals within 48 hours of receiving the claim.

“If you already filed a claim with BP, you must file a new claim,” Feinberg said, but noted individuals do not need to file any other documents corroborating the claim over again. “You will get up to six months of compensation in 48 hours. My people will be there in all the claims offices around the Gulf and are ready to help you file your claim. It will take 24 hours to process claim and 24 hours to cut the check.”

The emergency payments may take up to seven days for small private businesses, but no longer than that, Feinberg said. Claim adjusters previously working under BP have also been retrained under Feinberg’s operation.

But residents are still skeptical, and still have a plethora of concerns.

“I haven’t seen anything about where the protocol is for the claims,” said Kim Chauvin of Mariah Jade Shrimp Co. “No one knows how the claims work. I’d like something in my hand.”

Feinberg said a 10-page public document of protocol would be available both online and at every claims facility that describes the emergency payment program. In addition, a booklet of Frequently Asked Questions is available to help better educate individuals on the easiest and best way to file a claim.

The claims offices will also be equipped with documents in Vietnamese, as well as translators to better serve the Asian population.

With all these new additions, locals still want to know how they can benefit from the new system on an individual basis.

“I’ve been a fisherman all my life. We were fishing oysters when this spill happened,” Myron Prosperie, a Houma resident and fisherman said. “My wife died in September with leukemia, and I wasn’t making much because I was taking care of her.”

Prosperie said BP had only asked for his income in 2009. Feinberg asked Prosperie to show him the past three years.

“You didn’t work that much [in 2009] because of illness in your family,” Feinberg said. “Give us some evidence as to your income. … Only asking for your income in 2009 is unfair.”

Feinberg noted within the next few weeks, he would get a budget together and even make his salary public information.

“What I’m getting paid and what my law firm is getting paid should be disclosed,” he said, noting he worked for 33 months on 9/11 settlements pro bono. “It’s one thing to work for the American people for nothing, but I think BP can honor my bills, with all due respect.”

But since BP is paying Feinberg – although he has reiterated he does not work for BP – locals find it hard to trust him.

“I don’t believe anything anybody says anymore,” Houma resident Johnny Cheramie said.

“Let me say this about trust, there’s only one way that I will earn your trust, and that is paying the claim. I’m trying to educate people for what I plan to do and what I don’t plan to do,” Feinberg said. “You’ll see how quickly we process your claim and how much you get, then you’ll decide whether this program is trustworthy. All the words in the world aren’t going to do that in advance.”

Despite the reluctance to trust Feinberg, he asserted his commitment to the job he was given.

“This job isn’t easy, but I’ve taken it on,” he said. “I hope I will satisfy the people that are here and others, and I’ll come back again and again to take on questions and issues. You cannot do this job in Washington. You’ve got to come down here and visit with the good people of Louisiana.”