Oil spill attorney visits Jackson - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Oil spill attorney visits Jackson

By David Kenney - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) A high profile attorney has been selected by President Obama to handle the claims process in the BP oil spill crisis.

Ken Feinberg was in the capital city today, meeting with Governor Barbour, building a strategy on how to speed up the payment process to claims holders. Ken Feinberg built his political ties, working as chief of staff for the late senator Ted Kennedy.

He also served as a mediator for the 9/11 victims fund, and for Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans. Friday morning Feinberg held a press conference after meeting for two hours with Governor Haley Barbour and his staff.

Feinberg was selected by President Obama to mediate payments out of BP's escrow fund. He says the president has directed him to create a quick, efficient program to help the victims of the gulf oil spill.

Although he is being paid by BP Feinberg says his program will run independently from the oil company, and the white house.

Feinberg said, "We'll make with our adjusters and claims processors we'll make initial decisions, cut the checks in a prompt fashion, if someone is dissatisfied, we'll set up a mechanism to have the ability for them to be heard."

BP has already paid out nearly $60 million in claims and $10 million of that was paid to Mississippians. Five thousand six hundred eight Mississippians have filed claims.