|
Tallahassee – Following meetings last month, Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney
General Pam Bondi and Claims Czar Kenneth Feinberg have agreed on initial steps
for improving the Gulf Coast Claims Facility’s (GCCF) process regarding
outstanding Florida claims as a result of the Deepwater oil spill.
“Florida’s tourism, fishing and seafood industries are still feeling the
impacts of last summer’s disaster almost a year later,” said Gov. Scott. “Mr.
Feinberg agrees that It’s time to get to work and implement a streamlined, fair
and effective way of paying these claims for Floridians.”
Last month Gov. Scott and Attorney General Bondi met separately with Feinberg
and wrote letters outlining the initial steps that must be taken. Some of those
steps include:
- Processing at least 25 percent of all pending claims by March 31, 2011.
-
Expanding staffing in Florida to provide more localized treatment of claimants,
specifically in Panama City, Pensacola, Santa Rosa, Gulf Breeze and Ft. Walton
Beach.
- In each Florida claims office, providing the names of local,
independent accounting firms that are available to review and assist claimants
in preparing claims documentation. The fees for these accountants will be
submitted with the claimant’s GCCF submission as an expense, reimbursable by the
GCCF.
- In each Florida claims office, providing a named contact person who is
part of Florida claims’ team to allow claimants to obtain additional information
on the status of their claim.
- Coordinating the claims process through one
person in Florida and one person in Washington in an effort to assure
responsiveness and efficiency.
- Having GCCF accountants on site or available by
appointment to answer questions for claimants about their claim determination
calculations.
- Summarizing, by general category, the reasons for claims being
denied to assist with educating claimants and possibly preventing future
denials.
“Hundreds of thousands of Floridians’ livelihoods have been devastated by the
oil spill and compounded by a nearly halted claims process,” said Attorney
General Bondi. “I look forward to working with Gov. Scott and Mr. Feinberg to
ensure Floridians receive the compensation they deserve.”
Feinberg has agreed to return to Tallahassee in April to report on the
progress of these steps and discuss additional improvements moving forward.
To view Gov. Scott’s letter to Fienberg from March 2, 2011, visit:
http://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/GovScottLetter-03.02.2011.pdf
To view Attorney General Bondi’s letter to Fienberg from Feb. 25, 2011,
visit:
http://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bondi-feinbergltrt.pdf |
2012 State of Florida