Kenneth Feinberg, who administers the $20 billion fund formed by BP to compensate people for losses from the gulf oil spill, is offering what amounts to a signing bonus to entice more victims to give up their right to sue BP or other companies involved in the disaster.

People who have already received emergency payments and do not intend to ask for more money from the fund can sign the final release can get paid for doing so  individuals will receive $5,000 within 14 days of signing, Mr. Feinberg said, and businesses will get $25,000.

“Every single claimant will have a choice,” he said. “They ought to fit the choice to their own situation.”

Last month, Mr. Feinberg closed off applications for the first phase of the fund: the emergency payments to people and businesses.