Florida officials on Tuesday called on BP to pay claims quicker and Florida residents to become coastal spill police as oil continues to flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
In separate announcements, Attorney General Bill McCollum called on BP to speed up the claims process while Gov. Charlie Crist directed residents where to call if they see suspected spilled oil.
The separate announcements come a day after BP CEO Tony Hayward visited Crist and emergency responders saying the company had “turned the corner” on oil recovery efforts.
In a letter Tuesday to BP America Chief Counsel Jack Lynch, McCollum said frustration is mounting among Panhandle business owners whose livelihoods have been jeopardized by the BP spill.
“While I understand the process is evolving, BP must promptly cure its lack of communication with claimants and inject transparency in the claims process,” McCollum wrote. “The lack of accurate information is impeding the process’s purpose of effecting prompt payment.”
The company has set up six claims offices along the Panhandle and said adjusters would respond to claims within 72 hours.
As of May 18, the company says 1,456 claims have been filed and $442,779.98 has been paid.
Meanwhile Crist is asking residents with spill information to call the state warning point at 1-877-272-8335 or #DEP on a cell phone. State officials will follow up on the tips.
Source: New Service of Florida
