More than 1,000 people blaming this week's California refinery fire for sore throats and other ailments are asking an attorney to help them get a payout for their suffering from Chevron Corp.

Another 1,000 people that contacted Chevron directly are being helped at a downtown Richmond storefront set up by the San Ramon-based petroleum company.

The San Francisco Chronicle ( http://bit.ly/NKcm6b) reports attorney Nick Haney posted a sign two days after Monday's smoky refinery blaze that reads "File Chevron Claims Here."

More than 1,000 people lured by the promise of a few hundred dollars showed up on Wednesday.

They are complaining of coughs, nausea, scratchy throats and psychological trauma.

Haney's five assistants were on the sidewalk asking people to fill out paperwork and show proof they had seen a doctor.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com