Things on my mind this busy news week
June 12, 2012
Wetlands center invests in education for environment
June 12, 2012Claimants of damages from the April 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill are being offered a new alternative in seeking compensation for economic and health losses.
Monday marked the opening of the new Deepwater Horizon Claims Center, which replaces the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. Physical offices are being offered for economic damage filers in addition to online filing and telephone call systems. Health claimants may file their cases online or by telephone call center.
In Houma, the DHCC is at the same location as the GCCF at 814 Grand Caillou Road. An office manager who identified herself only as Pam confirmed that personnel were being trained last week with the expectation of taking on new cases and answering concerns for claimants that had not had their cases closed.
“The only thing that I’m allowed to tell you is that we are open to assist claimants from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday,” Pam said. “We’re prepared and we are here to assist the Deepwater Horizon Settlement Program.”
Two people toting filed documentation, who identified themselves as being in the shrimp business, were early to arrive at the center. They too chose not to be named and said only, “We’re just getting started.”
The new DHCC resulted from a settlement order by U.S. District Court Judge Carl Barbier who designated Lafayette and New Orleans attorney Patrick Juneau as the program’s administrator.
The change, which included opening 18 physical centers in Louisiana, is a replacement for the GCCF and embattled administrator Kenneth Feinberg. The GCCF was designated to operate claims facilities from August 2010 until court settlements were reached in March.
Residents from Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes may utilize centers for economic claims including the Houma office as well as one at the Tarpon Heights Shopping Center, 16263 Main St. in Cut Off. Grand Isle has a center at 3811 La. Highway 1.
Economic losses can also be filed at www.deepwaterhorizoneconomicsettlement.com or by calling a 24-hour toll free number (866) 992-6174.
Individuals filing health-related claims may file their cases online at www.deepwaterhorizonmedicalsettlement.com or by calling the 24-hour toll free number of (877) 545-5111.
Under the terms of a court settlement with BP, a new payment system was established that does not limit the level of damages.
Feinberg’s program claimed to have paid more than 225,000 recipients stretching from Texas to Florida an excess of $6 billion in BP money.
The new DHCC is open to both claimants that had not previously sought compensation and individuals who had their claims rejected by Feinberg.
With the settlement that was reached in March, BP estimated new costs for compensating damages could reach more than $7 billion. The oil corporation also accepted the settlement with no admission of liability.
Those individuals not satisfied with the claims process or compensation levels offered by the DHCC may pursue litigation.
