Gulf Spill Suit Lawyers Want Feinberg Reined In

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Lead plaintiffs attorneys in lawsuits over the Gulf oil spill say BP is calling the shots on handling of the $20 billion victims compensation fund and fund administrator Ken Feinberg is doing the company's bidding.

Now they want a federal judge to step in.

They asked the judge Tuesday to order changes to the release form people must sign if they accept a final payment from Feinberg.

The lawyers say the release should only apply to BP, and claimants should be allowed to sue other responsible parties.

They also want claimants reminded that BP is paying Feinberg's firm $850,000 a month to administer the fund.

BP and Feinberg did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Jan. 5 hearing is being sought.