BP Gulf Claims Fund Pressures Spill Victims, Lawyers Say
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BP Plc is using “coercive tactics” to force victims of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill to agree to final settlements with its claims fund, lawyers suing the company said.
BP set up the $20 billion Gulf Coast Claims Facility to pay emergency, interim and final payments to the victims under the provisions of the U.S. Oil Pollution Act. Lawyers for property owners, businesses and others claiming harm say victims have been forced to sign releases for inadequate payments because they could no longer afford to wait for full compensation.