Feinberg considers making key concession

The administrator of the $20 billion compensation fund for victims of the gulf oil spill says he might waive the current requirement that wages earned from helping out in the cleanup be subtracted from people’s spill claims. Doing so would be a key concession following strong criticism from residents about the claims process. Fund czar Kenneth Feinberg told hundreds of people who packed a convention center in Houma that he is reconsidering that requirement. He says no decision has been made, but that he understands the concerns loudly voiced by people who are still hurting. Feinberg also says he would consider giving people in certain situations a supplemental payment after their emergency payment. Currently, people are getting an emergency payment and then, down the road, a lump-sum final payment. The final payment requires that recipients agree not to sue BP.