NEW ORLEANS -- The local Vietnamese community is pushing for changes in applying for oil spill compensation claims.
Fishermen met Wednesday morning and are calling on Ken Feinberg to explain why their claims are being denied.
The fishermen say they are struggling to get by and many of their claims are not being approved.
Vietnamese fishermen met this morning to discuss their repeated denials from Feinberg’s office, saying they’ve filled out proper paperwork, with the help of lawyers, and experts and still are seeing any payments.
One issue in particular is an alleged refusal to pay for seafood they catch and save to eat themselves. Those helping the fishermen say the process is not working and they need the gulf coast claims facility to listen.
"We did their applications, we developed a template, for Mr. Feinberg supported with affidavits,” said May Nguyen, a consultant. “It's probably as comprehensive as you can get.
Commercial fishermen share the concerns of these specific Vietnamese fishermen. They say if something doesn't change soon they're going to go to lawmakers and then BP to demand change.
"He (Feinberg)came down here and promised people he's going to do things quickly what we've found is its very slow," said Clint Guidry of Louisiana Shrimp Association.
