Health claims get attention in BP accord

Deal includes ways to monitor effects

BOOTHEVILLE, La. — A settlement that BP is working out with victims of the massive Gulf oil spill finally provides a system for monitoring health concerns and compensating people whose illnesses are found to have a link to the disaster.

Government and university doctors studying locals’ health haven’t found significant evidence of spill-related illnesses, but problems years from now remain a question mark. Gulf Coast residents say they’re happy their complaints are getting a serious look, even if they’ll face hurdles in proving that rashes, shortness of breath and other maladies were caused by the oil or chemical dispersants sprayed to break it up.

Under the settlement announced Friday, BP said it expects to pay out $7.8 billion to settle a wide range of claims that also include prop- erty damage, lost wages and loss to businesses. While a previously created fund had already been paying such economic loss claims, it hadn’t paid claims over illnesses related to exposure.

Nicole Maurer, a resident of this fishing community, said she feels optimistic about getting medical bills paid under the court-supervised process. She blames the spill for a number of her family’s health problems.

First, Maurer and others like her will have to show that they got sick from the spill. Before they can receive compensation, claimants will be examined by a courtapproved health care practitioner. Then, a claims administrator working under a federal judge will determine who should be paid.

The settlement also establishes a program to monitor claimants’ health for 21 years. People whose physical symptoms haven’t yet developed will also be able to pursue claims. BP has also promised to pay $105 million to improve health care around the Gulf region.