July 26th, 2010
Top BP executives stepped out of a White House meeting last month promising to pay all legitimate claims for damages caused by oil gushing from its well in the gulf.
The pledge sounds simple enough. But some Pinellas beach businesses say uncertainty about ground rules for dispersing the $20 billion fund has them worried they may not be fully compensated for their losses.
One major concern is the incoming boss of the Gulf Coast Claims Fund. Kenneth Feinberg won acclaim overseeing the U.S. government's compensation fund for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He will take over operations of BP's Gulf Coast Claims Center next month.
The Washington, D.C., attorney and law professor drew fire over testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business last month. Feinberg said he would use Florida law as one standard to determine eligibility.
