OPA is a strict liability statute. In order to recover damages, a claimant merely needs to show that his or her damages "resulted from" the oil spill. OPA states, "The responsible party for a vessel or a facility from which oil is discharged, or which poses the substantial threat of a discharge of oil, into or upon the navigable waters or adjoining shorelines or the exclusive economic zone is liable for the removal costs and damages that result from such incident." See 33 U.S.C. 2702(a)
B. Single Emergency Advance Payment
The GCCF Protocol provides, "Emergency Advance Payment applications may be submitted during the period August 23 - November 23, 2010. After that date, applications for Emergency Advance Payments will no longer be accepted."
A single six-month emergency advance payment for lost income is in violation of OPA. Moreover, the lack of a procedure for the payment or settlement of claims for interim, short-term damages beyond 90 days, as required by 33 U.S.C. 2705, is also in violation of OPA.
OPA specifically provides for interim partial payments. "The responsible party shall establish a procedure for the payment or settlement of claims for interim, short-term damages. Payment or settlement of a claim for interim, short-term damages representing less than the full amount of damages to which the claimant ultimately may be entitled shall not preclude recovery by the claimant for damages not reflected in the paid or settled partial claim." See 33 U.S.C. 2705(a). The fact that a single payment does not preclude recovery by the claimant for future damages demonstrates that the legislative intent of Congress was for the responsible party to pay a series of partial claims in order to ensure that victims of the oil spill are fully compensated. Each of these partial claims would be paid after the date on which the claimant discovers damages resulting from the oil spill.
Secretary Janet Napolitano
October 18, 2010
Page 4
C. Single Final Settlement
A single final settlement payment is in violation of OPA.
OPA provides: (a) "Payment or settlement of a claim for interim, short-term damages representing less than the full amount of damages to which the claimant ultimately may be entitled shall not preclude recovery by the claimant for damages not reflected in the paid or settled partial claim." See 33 U.S.C. 2705(a); and (b) Any person, including the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, who pays compensation pursuant to OPA to any claimant for damages shall be subrogated to all rights, claims, and causes of action that the claimant has under any other law. Moreover, payment of such a claim shall not foreclose a claimant's right to recovery of all damages to which the claimant otherwise is entitled under OPA or under any other law. See 33 U.S.C. 2715(b)(2)
D. Period of Limitations
A limitation that no claim may be submitted to the GCCF "more than three years after the date the Protocol becomes operative," is in violation of OPA.
Under OPA, an action for damages shall be barred unless the action is brought within three years after the date on which the loss and the connection of the loss with the discharge in question are reasonably discoverable with the exercise of due care. 33 U.S.C. 2717(f)(1)(A)
The damages suffered by victims of the BP oil gusher will be enormous and on-going. The livelihoods of all persons whose businesses rely on the natural resources of the Gulf Coast are at risk. Commercial fishermen, oyster harvesters, shrimpers, and businesses involved, directly or indirectly, in processing and packaging for the seafood industry will experience the end of a way of life that, in many cases, has been passed down from one generation to the next.
It is too early to calculate the economic damages for many potential claimants. GCCF's "take it or leave it" final settlement requires a financially stressed victim to file a claim before the individual or business knows, and is able to corroborate, the full extent of the damages incurred as a result of the oil spill.
More importantly, how can a person predict the long-term health effects of his or her exposure to the oil? The benzene in spilled oil can cause leukemia and lymphoma which may not be diagnosed for several years after the date the GCCF Protocol becomes operative.
Secretary Janet Napolitano
October 18, 2010
Page 5
E. Intentionally Misleading Claims Procedure
Under OPA, claims for damages must be presented first to the responsible party. 33 U.S.C. 2713(a). The term "claim" means "a request, made in writing for a sum certain, for compensation for damages or removal costs resulting from an oil spill incident." 33 U.S.C. 2701(3) In the event that a claim for damages is not paid by the responsible party within 90 days, the claimant may elect to commence an action in court against the responsible party or to present the claim to the Fund.
The GCCF Protocol: (a) fails to acknowledge that the filing of a claim with GCCF satisfies 33 U.S.C. 2713(a); and (b) is ambiguous as to when the 90-day OPA clock for payment starts. The GCCF Protocol states, "Whether or not a claim has been presented shall be governed by OPA and applicable law." Moreover, GCCF requires that every claimant who has a pending claim with BP will have to refile his or her claim on an 18-page claims form. Does this refiling restart the 90-day clock? What if a claimant fails to refile his or her claim? GCCF is meant to facilitate settlement. It is not meant to confuse claimants or incite litigation as a result of an intentionally misleading claims procedure.
F. Interest on the Amount Paid
Pursuant to OPA, 33 U.S.C. 2705(a), the responsible party or the responsible party's guarantor is liable to a claimant for interest on the amount paid in satisfaction of a claim. The period for which interest shall be paid is the period beginning on the 30th day following the date on which the claim is presented to the responsible party or guarantor and ending on the date on which the claim is paid.
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