Deckhands paid in cash may be shafted out of BP claims process

Day laborers and cash-only deckhands who’ve lost work from the Gulf oil disaster are afraid to ask for what they’re entitled to from the BP claims process, fearing penalties and prosecution for not paying taxes.

Because BP requires the previous three years of tax returns to be presented during filing, many workers without such records believe they are out of luck.

Paying taxes is a matter between the individual and the IRS and should not be used by a corporation like BP to deprive a worker out of rightful compensation.

The seafood industry has stepped up to get these individuals compensated. They’ve established a charity to raise money for those out of work who have been lost in the system and don’t have all of the intimidating paperwork required to file a claim. Kevin Voisin, the head of the charity, says they “don’t even have an application process,” don’t require tax forms or W2s.

If you are a displaced worker afraid of getting your just compensation because you don’t have the necessary records, read more about this charitable effort here.

FYI, if you are a cash-paid deckhand injured on the job denied medical care and fair compensation, just know that you can speak with an offshore attorney in confidence and without having to worry about being reported for income paperwork that has nothing to do with your injury.

Source: Fox News