Alongside the other programs established by the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement agreement stands the Seafood Compensation Program. The intent of the program is to compensate Commercial Fishermen, Seafood Boat Captains, and all other Seafood Crew, Oyster Leaseholders, as well as Seafood Vessel owners for economic losses relating to economic damage caused by the spill.
The Program is estimated to result in claims totaling around $1.9 billion. This would account for approximately 83% of the $2.3 billion Seafood Compensation Program Amount.
The program is divided into five categories: Shrimp, Oyster, Finfish, Blue Crabs along with Other Seafood and Seafood Crew Members. Each of these categories identifies who can bring a compensable claim. For Shrimp, vessel owners, commercial fishermen, vessel lessees and boat captains may bring claims. For oysters, leaseholders can bring claims for loss of interest and loss of income alongside claims by owners of oyster harvesters and their vessel lessees and boat captains. Finfish claims follow the same as those of the Shrimp category, but add a claim for those who hold individual fishing quotas. Blue Crab and Other Seafood providers can bring claims if they are a vessel owner, commercial fisherman, a boat captain, vessel lessee, and a special addition is made for damage to crab traps. The last categories include, Seafood Crew for all Seafood Industries, but specifically excludes Boat Captains. Crew claimants with standard documentation, documentation supplied by their employer or documentation supplied by non-employers, which demonstrates harm, may file a claim. Each of the parties who bring a claim have to establish that they are a member of the Class and meet the eligibility requirements set by the program.
If the deadline or end of the payment time comes and there are funds remaining, the Seafood Compensation Program will divide those funds between individuals who received compensation from the Program. Class members will receive compensation in proportion to the Claimant’s gross compensation expressed as a share of the gross compensation by the Claims Administrator to all claimants under the Program. Gross compensation means the amount paid by the Claims Administrator before the deduction for Seafood Spill-Related Payments. If a court appointed neutral party determines that another distribution would be more appropriate, they may recommend to the court that the alternative method be used. However, this alternative method is at all times subject to court approval.
Since each class requires individualized and specific documentation, it is suggested that you speak to someone who has studied the ninety-six (96) page settlement outline in detail. The Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA’s specialist for BP settlement claims is attorney Jacob Pillsbury, Esq. and Matthew A. Dolman, Esq.
For more information or to speak with a Clearwater BP settlement claims attorney, call the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA at: (727) 451-6900
