A split decision of a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday upheld a lower court decision approving a multibillion-dollar settlement with BP of private claims stemming from the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
In its ruling, the panel dismissed BP's contention that the settlement agreement should be thrown out because the U.S. Constitution prohibits paying claimants who have not suffered an injury, or cannot prove their injuries were caused by the spill.
The panel said U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier correctly found that the plaintiffs who filed a class-action lawsuit against BP alleged that they were injured from the spill, and that was all that was required to certify the class and approve the agreement.
It is important to know your rights if you sustained any damages from the BP oil spill. Thus, contact an experienced oil spill attorney. Protect yourself, protect your rights.
About the Author: James C. Lawrence, Jr. is the founder of J.C. Lawrence and Associates, LLC and has represented clients in private practice since 1984. With his background as a public defender and 33-years of trial experience, Mr. Lawrence is a consummate legal professional who can represent clients in a wide variety of legal matters. Mr. Lawrence is perhaps best known for the recent Zeitoun’s trial, and has been successful in winning numerous criminal and civil cases, involving homicide, DUI/DWI, wrongful death, personal injury, auto collision, and others.
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