About thirty clammers and other local business owners met at the Cedar Key Library November 16 to hear advice on how to successfully get payment for losses caused by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April of 2010.
Bill Bohack opened the meeting with a quick review of ther difficulties individuals and businesses face when filing claims. Mr. Bohack has helped people who have suffered economic damage, particularly fishermen and tourist industry businesses. He referred to his crew that has experience with the claims process and paperwork of filing claims.
Audience listening to how to file BP oil spill claims.
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Left to right: Mark Schwartz, Bob Larson, William Bohack and an unidentified man.
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Two of the crew, Bob Larson and Mark Schwartz, spoke extensively of the hurdles and inconsistencies of the claims process. Noting the requirement that individuals that file must have supporting evidence from their employer. In one case two brothers filed identical claims except for their names. One brother received payment and the other was denied. Another crew member, Richard Fischer, told of the long term effects of the oil spill. Louisiana crabers are finding sever impact on the female crab population and hence longer recovery time for that seafood resource.
In court action starting in February 2012 it is expected that a judge will declare BP fully responsible for the oil spill. That leads to speculation by some people that BP will want to settle claims before the judgment.
Cedar Key City Commissioner Sue Colson spoke up to say that although no BP oil reached Cedar Key, the market for Gulf Coast seafoods was damaged by the oil spill.
Further information on the claim process can be found online at: BPClaims.org Or by calling 1-800-BPCLAIM (272-5246). BPCliaims plans to return to Cedar Key in early December to meet with people who hope to file a claim against BP. | 