‘Proximity’ won’t be required for oil spill compensation

Kenneth Feinberg, the administrator of claims related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, told Florida hotel and restaurant owners he will not impose a “proximity” requirement on those seeking payments for lost business.

Feinberg said he had changed his view on whether to set definite lines about how close to the oil spill a business must be to file a claim for damages. But he insisted that businesses must still document damages.

“If I say ‘No, you’re not eligible,’ what have I done but drive you into the court system?” Feinberg said to a meeting of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in Orlando. “So I want to take a look. I make no promises.”