February 22, 2012

BP Claims: BP Claims the History and the Reckoning

BP Claims the Tragic Truth

The BP Claims process was better handled by BP then the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. When BP decided to make things right for the business and individuals affected by the BP Oil Spill, they utilized the Emergency Advanced Payment system. Commonly referred to as EAP`s people scrambled to receive EAP`s from BP and many were paid. Though the EAP system was far from perfect, and many got left on the sidelines, many were indeed paid. Then the reigns of the BP Claims payment system were handed off to Ken Feinberg on November 23rd 2010. Interim payments were suppose to come from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility first. Those economically injured by the Oil Spill were filing their Interim BP Claims and Final BP Claims with the GCCF and through Attorneys. The fact is they were not paid for several months and then it was only a trickle of claims getting paid. Ken Feinberg had unveiled a new BP Claims system at Christmas time called the BP Claims Quick Pay.

The GCCF uses Quick Pays to Pay BP Claims

The BP Claims process at Christmas time morphed into the the BP Claims Quick Pay system. Instead of paying Interim and final BP claims as promised the Gulf Coast Claims Facility put all of their energies behind the Quick Pay System. After not being paid for many months, some since April when the spill began, many took these Quick Pays so they could put food on the table, save the home, or the business. The fact is that the 5k offered to individuals, and the 25k for businesses offered temporary relief for many at best. Over 100,000 people took these Quick Pays and the majority regret that now.

Interim BP Claims were Shelved

BP Claims that were promised to come first , in the form of Interim Claims, were in essence shelved in favor of getting Quick Pays paid by the GCCF. In speaking with the Attorneys that we have connected with, it was not until mid March that the first Interim claims started coming in. That is 11 months from the date of the Oil Spill. How many people and businesses have a reserve of 11 months, not many. The aftermath of those decisions by the GCCF has been felt through out the Gulf. We hear daily from people who lost their business after trying their best to keep it afloat, then lost their homes and cars, and then had to move in with in-laws or friends. Many families disbanded.

GCCF and BP Claims Dirty Tricks and Stall Tactics

We are seeing a lot of BP Claims finally being made offers, many were waiting for over 6 months, until they got into Team members hands. The one thing and probably the most troubling is that there is a reoccurring pattern, they were stalled after the GCCF, letters of deficiency were often issued, some were denied, then the GCCF would offer the businesses 25k making it seem like they were doing them a favor. This has happened over and over again, and at this point it seems to be a GCCF strategy. The GCCF is still stalling claims, and recently a BP Claims Adjuster that was working with the GCCF has gone public about her experiences while working there, and yes she along with others was told to to stall BP claims.

 

BP Claims Where are we at Now

BP and the GCCF are on the ropes, after over a year since the Oil Spill the truth is coming out. Whether it was the report about BP being guilty for all of its carelessness being released last week, or the audit that is coming up for the GCCF, the news is not going to be good. The BP Claims process is coming under scrutiny, the BP Claims process needs to be righted. We have seen thousands of claims come through our sites many of them have gotten help here. The GCCF is paying BP Claims that are prepared correctly. We can help you with your BP Claims.

 


Article: BP Claims the Tragic Truth
Article Source: BP Claims
Author: William Bohack


BP Claims the Tragic Truth


Resources: Restore the Gulf; BP Business Claims; BP Claims Experts

BP Claims may settle out for 30 Billion Quickly

BP insider says BP about to pay 30 Billion to settle BP Claims

BP Claims

BP Claims

BP Claims News: A BP insider reported to Reuters that BP may want to settle many its BP claims after the February trial date. The trial would solidify who was at fault for the Macondo well blow out. A recent report that was finished this week, put the blame squarely on BP`s shoulders. Halliburton and Transocean did share some of the responsibility, but due to the lack of oversight, cutting corners, and not releasing all the information to it`s partners, BP was ultimately responsible for the Gulf Disaster. report

My sources that are very involved with the litigation and the BP Claims process think that BP will make a large push to settle out as many claims as possible, before the February trial date. We are seeing BP Claims get paid at a record rate. By both Adjusters and Attorneys.

Your Claims value may have jumped exponentially

For Example: A Claim that was 7k may be worth 25k, this is because certain thresholds in the mass settlement will have to be reached. BP Claims that were 100k could conceivably go up to 300k or more. The exact formula has not yet been revealed, but sources close to the litigation, including an Attorney that we have been forwarding many of your claims to, have already uploaded all of their cases to the GCCF. Why is this happening, Punitive Damages, people and businesses that were directly affected by the Oil Spill are able to receive extra money for their losses, and this scares the heck out of BP. Hence BP is getting ready to settle now.

Why will BP try to settle its BP Claims before the February trial date.

There are multiple answers to this question.

1. The BP Claims process is about to be audited by Eric Holder at the urging of Jim Hood. In my opinion this will uncover what many of us already know. The GCCF under Feinberg was slow to pay and it preyed upon desperate people by not coming through with BP Claims interim payments in a timely manner, instead denying valid BP Claims, or giving already desperate people and Business`s Quick Pays.

In my opinion Quick Pays, having BP Claims Under review, denying valid BP Claims, where tactics that have been used as extortion to those hoping to get paid in a timely manner. I further think that though there are a lot of good people that work at the GCCF, that the top brass at the GCCF wanted to slow things down, and in fact did so. This will be revealed by the Audit, that is forthcoming and BP and the GCCF will be held accountable. Hence it pays for them to settle now before the full picture develops.

2. BP will want jurors to believe that they have indeed tried to make things right in the Gulf before the February trial date. A massive payout to claimants before the trial starts will boost the GCCF statistics and good will. The GCCF loves to point out positive statistics, the fact still remains that most of those that have been paid out have been paid out under the Quick Pay system.

3. BP needs some positive PR. The longer the events from the OIl Spill drags out, the more BP`s reputation and business practices get tarnished. If they decide to drag this out as more news comes to light surrounding how the oil spill was caused, and how people that people that were affected were largely ignored, by BP and the GCCF, it is my opinion that this could spur multiple lawsuits, mind you I am not a lawyer.

4. Mitigation, Mitigation, Mitigation, there is no good news lately for BP and they need to cut their losses, the best way for them to do so is to make some realistic offers and to get people to accept final settlements so people don`t go and sue them down the road. BP Claims punitive damages for those directly affected by the oil spill are now applicable. The forthcoming news for BP and the BP claims process is not going to be any good for BP and Gulf Coast Claims Facility.

Getting Help With your BP Claims

We have been covering the Oil Spill since it began in April, our first site was dedicated to getting people to Catholic Charities, that morphed into helping cleanup workers that were getting sick, which eventually evolved into helping people through the BP Claims process. In order to help people and business get through the BP Claims process we developed the BP Claims Dream Team. They are the best Law firms and BP Claims Adjuster firms in the country. They cover a myriad of oil spill related instances from sick and injured clean up workers to Business that had 8 figure losses. We are dedicated to you getting the help you deserve. BP Claims and Case management is done on a contingency basis, by all members of the BP Claims Dream Team. They don`t get paid until you do, and management of your case or claim starts at 15%. The Team members are getting BP Claims paid at a record pace, I expect this to go on for the next few months, but if you want to take advantage of this current trend, it is a good time to get your BP Claims paid. Please fill out the information to the right and we will begin the process.

1-800-BP-Claim your number for BP Claims

We are very thankful that a noted member of the community realized what we are up to and helped us secure the number 1-800-BP-Claim so that we could better serve you..Thanks Tony..

We will help you with your BP Claims.

 


Article Source: BP Claims
Article: BP Claims may settle out for 30 Billion Quickly
Author: BP Claims

How to Choose a Disability Lawyer in Shreveport, LA for Your Social Security Disability Case

How to Choose a Disability Lawyer in Shreveport, LA for Your Social Security Disability Case

Getting Social Security disability benefits can be a long and complicated process. You will work closely with your lawyer/attorney and there staff. Before you hire a lawyer/attorney you must do your homework. The following steps will help you find a disability lawyer in Shreveport, LA who can best meet your needs.

1. Information

Get as much information as you can before you talk to a lawyer. First, go to her website. Is there helpful information on the website about the process you will go through to get Social Security disability benefits? Or is the website just about the lawyer and her law firm? You want a lawyer who will share helpful information and teach you about the Social Security disability process.

 

2. Call the Office

When you call the lawyer’s office, how are you treated? Is this staff rushed or do they treat you like a welcomed visitor? Are they helpful? Are they empathetic? The lawyer sets the tone for the office. How her staff treats you is a good indication of how the lawyer will treat you.

 

3. Meet the Lawyer

You should meet with the lawyer, either in person or in a telephone consult if it is too difficult for you to get to the office. Were you given a choice? You should be!

 

 

4. Talk to the Lawyer

When you talk to the lawyer, ask about her experience handling Social Security disability cases. How long has she been handling these cases? What percent of her practice involves Social Security disability cases? Some lawyers only devote a small percentage of their time to these cases, making it difficult for them to keep up with changes in the rules and regulations. In addition, they may not be as familiar with the judges who hear, and ultimately decide, these cases. You should look for a lawyer who devotes 50% or more of her time to Social Security disability cases.

5. Success Rate

Ask the lawyer what her success rate is for Social Security disability cases. No lawyer wins every case and no lawyer can guarantee a specific result in your case. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts. You want to ask this question to get an idea of how carefully the lawyer evaluates these cases throughout the process. Social Security disability cases are won or lost on the medical evidence. Your disability lawyer should continually evaluate the evidence to determine if she can prove that you are disabled. If the evidence does not support the claim, a good disability lawyer will tell you so and not take the case further unless additional evidence is available. You should look for an attorney with an 85% + success rate.

6. Trial Experience

Ask the lawyer if she has any trial experience. Trial lawyers are trained to develop evidence, present it in the court room and argue the case to a judge or jury. Social Security disability cases may go to a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. It is beneficial to have a lawyer with trial experience representing you in these cases.

 

7. Medical or Nursing Training

Ask the lawyer if she has any medical or nursing training. Social Security disability cases are won or lost on the medical evidence and the evidence of physical or psychological limitations. A lawyer with medical knowledge will understand your disabling condition and be in a better position to develop the evidence and present it to the judge.

 

8. How will you develop the case

Ask the attorney how she will develop your case. You want to know that your lawyer will gather your pertinent medical records throughout the process, not just before your hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. In addition, your lawyer should collect specific information from your treating doctors about the limitations that prevent you from working. Your lawyer will do this through the use of special disability reports and disease questionnaires. These reports will help to strengthen your case. If the lawyer you interview is not going to take these additional steps to gather evidence, you should keep looking.

9. Ask the Lawyer …”Why”?

Ask the lawyer why she chose to work on Social Security disability cases. The answer to this question is very telling. For me, helping clients get their disability benefits is one of the greatest joys in practicing law. I know that my staff and I can make a difference in our clients’ lives. Clients come into my office troubled, frustrated, worried and in pain. We work through the process together and there is no better feeling than calling a client to report that they have been approved for Social Security disability benefits.

10. Who will be working on the case?

Ask the lawyer who will be working on your case. The lawyer should have staff to help gather your medical records and develop the evidence. Social Security disability cases are document intensive. It is important that there is sufficient staff to obtain, maintain and file all of the necessary documents.

 

 

11. Did they treat you right?

How are you treated by the lawyer? Do you feel welcomed or do you feel like a number? Ask who you can talk to if you have questions as the case develops. When can you expect a return phone call? Phone calls should be answered within 24 hours. While the attorney will not be able to return every phone call herself there should be sufficient staff available to answer your questions.

 

12. Are you comfortable?

Do you feel comfortable with the lawyer and her staff? You are entering a long-term relationship so you must feel comfortable. During the initial consultation, were your questions answered? Were you treated with respect? Was the Social Security disability process described and explained to your satisfaction? Were the office procedures explained? If the answer to any of these questions is no, you should keep looking.

 

13. What do other clients say?

What do the lawyer’s clients say about her? Go to her website. Are there testimonials from former clients? Is she willing to let you contact other clients for a reference? The best way to understand how you will be treated is to talk to other clients. Just Google Shreveport Disability Lawyer or Disability Lawyer Shreveport and see what others are saying.

For most people trying to get Social Security disability benefits, hiring a lawyer in Shreveport, LA is the best thing they can do to improve their chances of winning. However, you need to have the lawyer who is right for you. Taking the time to gather the information outlined above will help you to make the right decision.

Remember finding the right Shreveport Disability Lawyer takes some due diligence. Make sure you search the right way. Find all your facts. Make sure when searching you search things like:

Disability Lawyer Shreveport

Shreveport Disability Lawyer, LA

Disability Attorney Shreveport, LA

Shreveport, LA Disability Attorney

Attorney Shreveport, LA

You owe it to yourself to get the facts when hiring a Lawyer in Shreveport, LA… Get to work and do your “Due Diligence”

Author: Shreveport Disability Lawyer 318

Article: How to Choose a Disability Lawyer in Shreveport, LA for Your Social Security Disability Case?

Source: ShreveportDisabilityLawyer318.com

Resource: Wiki, A Guide to Disability Rights Laws