INDReporter

Feinberg says no-sue clause his, not BP's, idea

by Leslie Turk

Ken Feinberg, who is in charge of administering damage claims from Gulf oil spill victims, says the requirement that anyone who receives a final settlement from the $20 billion BP compensation fund give up the right to sue is his idea.

Ken Feinberg, who is in charge of administering damage claims from Gulf oil spill victims, says the requirement that anyone who receives a final settlement from the $20 billion BP compensation fund give up the right to sue the oil giant is his idea.

The Associated Press reported that Feinberg told reporters Sunday that he has not yet decided whether the no-sue requirement will extend to other companies that may be responsible for the spill. Feinberg, best known for administering the government-run compensation fund created after the Sept. 11 attacks, says that fund also included a no-sue provision. He insists that payouts from the claims facility will be more generous than those from any court and that if he doesn't find someone eligible, "no court will."

"It is not in your interest to tie up you and the courts in years of uncertain protracted litigation when there is an alternative that has been created," Feinberg said.

Read the AP story here.