GCCF starts paying Subsistence claims
The GCCF developed a new method for calculating subsistence claims March 28 and, after negotiations with nonprofit lawyers and community advocates, it was finalized late last week.
Most of the claims have come from Vietnamese fishers and other fishing communities such as Native Americans with a tradition of setting aside large portions of their catch for their families to consume and for gifts and bartering. But large numbers of claims also came from recreational fishers who wanted to be compensated for what they called “loss of enjoyment,” something the GCCF decided not to honor.
Subsistence claims are specifically allowed under the Oil Pollution Act, which governs oil spill damage compensation, but Feinberg’s operation had trouble calculating losses for something that isn’t generally well documented.
Oil Spill Attorneys can help you if you have a claim.