Special master sought to oversee oil spill claims

The lead attorneys for people and businesses suing BP over last year’s Gulf oil spill want a federal judge to appoint a special master to oversee the claims process.

They said in court papers Monday that administrator Kenneth Feinberg has been too slow to process interim payments from the $20 billion fund that BP set up to compensate people who lost their livelihoods when crude oil gushed from BP’s blown well. The payments are meant to tide people over until claims are settled.

The lawyers said BP and Feinberg’s Gulf Coast Claims Facility have benefited from desperate victims who choose quick, one-time payments in exchange for promises not to sue. There was no immediate ruling by the court in New Orleans.

Last week, the Justice Department said an independent audit would be done to determine if claims are being processed appropriately.

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