Montgomery, Alabama, June 11, 2010 - Gulf Coast residents need to be alert to possible illegal activities being conducted by out-of-state claims adjusters. In some reported cases, these adjusters are offering to settle damage claims related to the BP oil spill.

Alabama does not license claims adjusters so any claims settled by such third party recovery firms are considered to be the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) which is subject to criminal prosecution. Anyone assisting third party adjusters attempting to settle claims on behalf of claimants could also be charged with aiding and abetting in this illegal activity. Claimants filing their own claims with BP are not in danger of being prosecuted for UPL.

The Alabama State Bar is serious about its responsibility to protect the public and to ensure that you understand your legal rights. While the Oil Pollution Act and related federal laws can be complicated, filing a damage claim related to the BP oil spill is free, and help with this process is available through a number of reputable resources. If someone tries to charge a fee to initiate a claim, say no and report it to the Alabama State Bar General Counsel's Office 334-269-1515 or the Attorney General's Office 334-242-7300. The process for filing a free claim is to call the BP hotline at 800-440-0858, where you will be assigned a claim number.

For those who have already retained counsel, the Alabama Claims Assistance Team can assist your attorney with submitting a claim to BP. The information and assistance that the ACAT members may provide is limited to the submission of claims and is not legal advice. All claimants, potential claimants and/or their designated representatives seeking the assistance of the ACAT in submitting a claim to BP must understand and acknowledge that any information and/or assistance provided by the ACAT members shall not be considered as legal representation.

If you need legal assistance in filing your claim, for a Mobile County lawyer contact the Mobile Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 251-433-1032. You can also contact the Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-392-5660 for referral to a lawyer in Baldwin and other counties throughout the state.