Feinberg v. BP

In just days claims centers along the gulf coast will no longer be known as BP claims centers but Ken Feinberg's Gulf Coast Claims Facility. Feinberg says he will keep the same basic infrastructure but his process will be more consistent and more efficient. That's welcome news to business owner Mike Pinzone. "I'm ready to settle. I'm done. I can't keep calling and begging for money. I'm ready for somebody to write me a check."
How the transition will take place is anyone's guess. Folks working in the BP claims offices say they have been told very little. They don't even know if they'll have a job. Feinberg will only say, "we're confident we'll be ready August 23rd."
At public meetings around the coast he encourages people to file a claim. "I will bend over backwards to find eligibility, within reason, in order to maximize the dollars that can be sent to people who have suffered as a result of this spill."
Although what will be considered a legitimate claim seems to still be undetermined. "I can't be entertaining claims 90 miles away., I mean you've got to be along the gulf somewhere," he says.
State and local government claims will not be paid out of the escrow account. Money will be set aside for realtors and brokers but other property owners could be left out. Diminished property value will not be considered a legitimate claim.
According to Feinberg, some claims will be easy. What could be more difficult is determining whether the Feinberg system is any better than BP's.