LINDA WERTHEIMER, host: Today, the man who managed the fund for 9-11 victims and pay packages for executives at bailed out companies officially takes over the BP claims process.</s>LINDA WERTHEIMER, host: Kenneth Feinberg will administer the $20 billion fund set to compensate oil-spill victims.</s>LINDA WERTHEIMER, host: And as NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports, the process is already under fire for being unfair.</s>WENDY KAUFMAN: Kenneth Feinberg says he will make interim payments to eligible individuals within 48 hours. Business claims will be paid within a week. But exactly who is eligible and how much they will get remains a bit fuzzy. Still, shrimpers and charter boat captains will have a much easier time making their case than a hotel owner whose property is 25 miles from the Gulf.</s>WENDY KAUFMAN: After the interim payments are made, Feinberg will begin working on final payments for long-term losses. To get that money, he told NPR in an interview, claimants will give up the right to sue.</s>Mr. KENNETH FEINBERG (Attorney, Administrator of BP Claims Fund): If you accept a final payment, you are releasing BP.</s>Mr. KENNETH FEINBERG (Attorney, Administrator of BP Claims Fund): Unidentified Woman: Mm-hmm.</s>Mr. KENNETH FEINBERG (Attorney, Administrator of BP Claims Fund): Whether you're releasing other defendants, I haven't decided.</s>WENDY KAUFMAN: Many claimants were asked to aid in the clean-up effort, and many are furious that Feinberg, not BP, decided that the money they earned will be deducted from their compensation package. Claimants say that means they will have essentially worked to clean up BP's mess for free.</s>WENDY KAUFMAN: Wendy Kaufman, NPR News.
Beginning Monday, the claims process for people affected by the BP oil spill might get a little easier. It at least has some firmer rules. Kenneth Feinberg, the private administrator hired by BP to handle the claims, takes over responsibility for the payouts.