Today Wed,8-18-10 last day for B.P. to take any claims.

BP says its claims team is preparing to transfer responsibility for handling claims from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to the new Gulf Coast Claims Facility.

Wednesday was the last day BP would accept new claims, the company said on its Web site. After that, individuals and businesses will be asked to file claims with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility when it is operational Monday.

BP will handle claims from government entities and take phone calls on suspicions of fraud, the company said.

BP has paid $368 million in claims to individuals and businesses, the company said.

Attorney Kenneth Feinberg is charged with administering the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, the $20 billion escrow account established by BP to compensate for damage caused by the gulf disaster.

The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig leased by BP exploded April 20, killing 11 workers, then sank two days later, dumping millions of barrels of oil into the gulf until a temporary cap contained the spill July 15.