The attorneys for people and businesses suing BP over last
year's Gulf oil spill want a federal judge to appoint a special
master to oversee the claims process.

They say in court papers Monday that administrator Kenneth
Feinberg has been too slow to process interim payments from the $20 billion fund that BP set up to compensate people who lost their
livelihoods when crude oil gushed from BP's blown well. The
payments are meant to tide people over until claims are settled.

The lawyers say BP and Feinberg's claims facility have benefited
from desperate victims who choose quick one-time payments in
exchange for promises not to sue.

Last week, the Justice Department said an independent audit
would be done to determine if claims are being processed
appropriately.

A message seeking comment was left with Feinberg.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)