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Admiral Allen calls on BP to be Transparent on Claims Process

National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen  met on Wednesday with top BP claims officials to call for additional transparency into the oil giant’s claims process, including how the process works, and how quickly claims are being processed.

Admiral Thad Allen--National Incident Commander-Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

“BP, as a responsible party, is accountable for making the communities, individuals and business impacted by this spill whole again,” said Admiral Allen. “We need more detail and openness from BP to fulfill our oversight responsibilities to the American people and ensure that BP is meeting its commitment to restore the Gulf Coast.”

This is the first in a series of meetings to be conducted between the National Incident Command (NIC) to ensure that BP’s claims process is transparent, prompt, and responsive to the unique needs of the impacted communities, citizens and businesses.  Additional meetings, including participation by NIC representatives and BP officials, will be held in each of the four impacted states, including Florida, from June 11-13.

Admiral Allen discussed his concerns about a variety of claims issues-including delayed processing time for large loss claims; claims pending with no action taken; payment calculations for individual loss of income claims (particularly for seasonal workers); translation of claims material; and accessibility for the hearing impaired.

He directed BP to provide more information about its plan for continuing to pay monthly loss of income claims, the mediation program BP is putting in place, and BP’s placement of coordinators in each state and how these liaisons will engage with local officials.

Tracy Wareing, Lead for the Integrated Services Team within the National Incident Command has been directed by Admiral Allen to oversee the BP claims process from start to finish.   The Admiral reiterated to BP that they establish a senior official to work with and provide information to Ms. Wareing regarding the company’s actions to fully address the needs of impacted individuals and businesses.

Today’s meeting  followed a letter, sent by Admiral Allen yesterday, to BP CEO Tony Haywood, which called for greater transparency on the claims process.

To file a claim, visit www.bp.com/claims or call toll free number 1-800-440-0858-open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any claim that is denied by BP or not settled within 90 days of submission to BP may be presented to the Coast Guard for relief from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund through the National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC). The NPFC claims support number is 1-800-280-7118.

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