NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The new claims facility for damages from the Gulf oil spill begins operations today and the man who will run it says payouts will be more generous than from any court.
Ken Feinberg, the administrator for claims, said Sunday it was his idea, not BP's, to require that anyone who receives a final settlement from the $20 billion fund give up the right to sue.
Feinberg also ran the government compensation fund created after the 9/11 attacks, and there was a similar no-sue provision.
He says years of court battles aren't in anyone's best interests and that "if I don't find you eligible, no court will find you eligible."
Hundreds of lawsuits have already been filed by spill victims.
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