BP speeds up claim payments to businesses affected by gulf oil

BP says it has begun expediting claim payments to businesses affected by the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, including establishing an Immediate Action Claims Team. According to a press update issued yesterday, the company says that about 2,600 business claims were processed over the previous three days, using new guidelines developed to specifically address challenges faced by businesses. As a result, the firm says, business claims totalling $9 million were approved Saturday, Sunday and Monday.