Note: this article has been updated to reflect the August 23, 2010 change in the BP claims process. The Gulf Coast Claims Facility now handles all oil spill claims, and all claimants must refile. Read on for critical information.
Finding information on filing a claim against BP for lost income, property damage, medical injury or illness, and more can be difficult as the Deepwater Horizon disaster unfolds in real time. The April 20, 2010 explosion that killed 11 people and sank the oil rig triggered a massive oil spill, sending 12,000 to 25,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico each day for weeks on end. The gulf oil spill management process involves a web of BP help and federal government assistance. Knowing which phone number to call for BP claims, oil spill management, wildlife protection and more is critical.
Gulf Oil Spill Management
The oil spill management response by British Petroleum invokes the Oil Spill Pollution Act of 1990, which mandates that BP pay for all cleanup efforts, coordinate cleanup and financial reimbursement for lost income, property damage and medical injury or illness, and keep the federal government apprised of all efforts.
The federal government's response and role in the BP oil spill is quite different. The Gulf Coast Claims Facility is the official website for all federal activities related to the gulf oil spill. Important federal government telephone numbers include:
- Vessels of Opportunity (boats): 866-279-7983 or 877-847-7470
- Oil on land/boom issues: 866-448-5816
- Tech suggestions: 281-366-5511
- Product, Equipment or Service Hotline: 281-366-5511
- Volunteering in Alabama: 888-421-1266
- Volunteering in Louisiana: 800-755-5175
Be careful to call the appropriate phone number for your oil spill-related issue.
File a Claim Against BP
The main telephone number to file a BP claim by phone is 800-916-4893, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility hotline developed specifically for the BP oil spill. For more information on how to file a claim for loss of income, wages or revenue, please see the related articles below.
Important Phone Numbers for Deepwater Horizon BP Response
Per the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and claims related to it, BP has created a series of phone numbers for different issues:
- Nurse hotline for injuries: 888-623-0287
- Wildlife claims: 866-557-1401
- News or information: 985-902-5231
- Spill containment or cleanup: 281-366-5511
To read more about filing claims against BP, please check out the following articles:
How to File a BP Claim for the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill - a general overview of how the BP claims process forks for property damage, medical illness and injury, and lost income and revenue claims.
Filing a Claim with BP Oil Spill - Loss of Income and Interim Pay - hit hard by the gulf disaster? Learn how to file for BP interim payments and claims for loss of income.
File a BP Claim Form for Self-Employed Workers for Loss of Income - self-employed and having contracts cancelled as a result of the BP oil spill? Learn the specifics on how to get future expected revenue reimbursed by British Petroleum.
References:
Neuman, Scott. "Extent of BP's Liability for Gulf Spill Still Murky," NPR, June 9, 2010.
"Oil Pollution Act Overview," United States Environmental Protection Agency, June 2010.
"Fund for those hurt by BP spill up and running", AFP news, accessed August 23, 2010
"BP claims switch to neutral arm today", The Times-Picayune, accessed August 23, 2010
" Independent agency takes over Gulf claims payments ", CNN, accessed August 23, 2010
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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