Here's what I'd like to know: How is BP going to expedite the claims? Specifically, what are they doing to make the claims go faster? Is it a matter of hiring more people or assigning more people to handle claims? What about less paperwork? How were they handling claims before? When should people expect payments? Are other oil companies prepared to handle claims in the event of a disaster? Should a claims handling model be drawn up as a model for other companies to emulate in the event of another oil disaster? You'd have thought that a business such as BP would be smart enough to know how to handle claims.
The Obama administration said Thursday that BP has agreed to expedite the payment of claims to businesses and individuals whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Fishermen, property owners and businesspeople have complained that delays and skimpy payments from BP for damage claims have put them on the verge of financial ruin as the toll of the Gulf of Mexico disaster grows.
Tracy Wareing of the National Incident Command office, told reporters in Washington that the understanding on payment of claims came in a meeting Wednesday with BP executives, including CEO Tony Hayward. AP
