BP suit stays in federal court

Posted by Stephen Babcock on October 6, 2010 >> 1 comment
The Daily Report has reported that a lawsuit that several Louisiana district attorneys filed against BP PLC over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is staying in federal court. The district attorneys for Terrebonne, St. Tammany and St. Mary parishes wanted their lawsuit transferred to state court, but U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier rejected that request today. Barbier agreed with BP that he has jurisdiction over the case. Barbier is presiding over a batch of more than 300 consolidated lawsuits spawned by the April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig, which killed 11 workers and triggered a massive oil spill. The district attorneys' suit seeks civil penalties against BP for the spill's toll on wildlife and aquatic life.
We have looked at this issue extensively and believe this is the correct result and the case should logically and legally remain in federal jurisdiction.

Comments

What's next?

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2010-10-27 14:34.

It is evident that there are going to be a number of "sticky" issues related to this case and these lawsuits. With so many different hands in the fire, it's a wonder they have even progressed this far. It will be interesting to see what the next turn is and if this judge actually helps the case progress.

R.B.H.
Smith, Gilliam, Williams & Miles