Insane But True - BP On Trial

While BP Oil Spill Claims by citizens languish in a Federal Court, at least one phase of the litigation is barreling on. "The government wants the oil giant to pay another $13.7 billion for harming not just the birds and fish, but the business climate and social fabric of coastal communities." This trial is underway. Standby.

Supreme Court Denies Review of BP Settlement Again

BP Supreme Court Excerpt

BP continues to exercise appeals in the long running settlement case. The corporation appears to have settled its claims with the government and claims by citizens continue to languish. A few hours ago the United States Supreme Court refused to review the latest round of defenses asserted by BP.

The case can be found here within a 9-page list of cases the Court has taken action. It Reads. in part:

14-123 BP EXPLORATION &  PRODUCTION V. LAKE EUGENIE LAND DEVELOPMENT The motion of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al.  . . . 

"The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied."

BP Wins - Charities are Big Losers

Charities are the big losers as BP Oil Spill litigation drags on.

Charities are the big losers as BP Oil Spill litigation drags on. One claimant was a charity fund raiser that used fishing tournaments to generate donations. BP has not paid their claim. The oil giant has filed appeal after appeal after agreeing to settle claims throughout the Gulf Coast region. The spill happened nearly four years ago.

The end result of the litigation, claimants are left holding the bag.  For 11 years the fundraiser had attracted the best fisherman in the world. The event had raised $3 million. The claim has been on hold for 3 years. BP did not comment when a reporter reached out to discuss the matter.

BP Convinces Court to Delay Settlement

BP Convinces Court to
Delay Settlement

We have posted the complete opinion delaying the settlement payments below:

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 13-30315

IN RE: DEEPWATER HORIZON

"We REVERSE the district court’s order affirming the Administrator’s interpretation of the Settlement and denial of a preliminary injunction and REMAND to the district court for further consideration while retaining jurisdiction."

"The balance of equities favors a tailored stay. The interests of individuals who may be reaping windfall recoveries because of an inappropriate interpretation of the Settlement Agreement and those who could never have recovered in individual suits for failure to show causation are not outweighed by the potential loss to a company and its public shareholders of hundreds of millions of dollars of unrecoverable awards. A stay tailored so that those who experienced actual injury traceable to loss from the Deepwater Horizon accident continue to receive recovery but those who did not do not receive their payments until this case is fully heard and decided through the judicial process weighs in favor of BP. We therefore REVERSE the denial of the preliminary injunction  and instruct the district court to expeditiously craft a narrowly-tailored injunction that allows the time necessary for deliberate reconsideration of these significant issues on remand."

Truth About the BP Settlement - Part 2

Truth About the
BP Settlement 

BP is dissatisfied with the Oil Spill Claims Judge. On behalf of one of the lead lawyers in the BP Oil Spill Settlement, we want you to know and to correct some of the misinformation surrounding BP’s current media campaign. Again, On behalf of the businesses and families of the Gulf Coast, the undisputed factual record establishes that:

"Judge Barbier was selected by a panel of respected trial and appellate court judges from across the country to preside over the BP Oil Spill Litigation, one of the largest, if not the largest, consolidated cases in history. He has been universally praised by BP and others for his ingenuity, commitment and dedication to the efficient and effective management of this vast and complex litigation. Judge Barbier has served on the Federal Bench for well over a decade, and his integrity and judicial excellence have never been called into question."

Just so everyone knows.

 Source: BP Oil Spill Class Counsel

Huge Payments on BP Oil Spill Claims are Appealed

Huge Payments on BP Oil Spill
Claims are Appealed

Florida Oil Spill Claims Attorney, a Lawyer  in Tampa, Florida http://www.floridaoilspill.com/ has reviewed the recent claim by BP that payments under the Settlement Agreement are excessive. BP British Petroleum filed an appeal of the Oil Spill Claims Settlement entered in the Deepwater Horizon case. The Appeal was from a District Court Order on the Settlement Agreement and was heard by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This is the audio of the Oral Arguments and video stills from the Settlement Agreement. 

In case you don't want to spend 45 minutes watching, a summary with time codes is below. The video Can be viewed on iPhone and mobile devices too. 

BP Oil Spill Claims Appeal Summary

BP hired a prominent appeals lawyer who argues that payments under the agreement are excessive. At around 16:00 minutes, the Oil Spill claimants' lawyer then argues that BP agreed to the terms of the settlement. At around 32:00 minutes, finally,  the claims administrator argues he is following the agreement and will do what the Court orders him to do. The Oil Spill Claims Appeal had Oral Arguments on July 8, 2013. Video and audio are from official Court records. Approximate viewing time is 45 minutes.

On behalf of the class members, thank you for caring.

See also: Florida Oil Spill Claims Attorney Lawyer  in Tampa, Florida, BP Oil Spill Appeal, District Court Order, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, BP Oil Spill Claims

Truth About the BP Settlement - Part 1

BP is dissatisfied with the Oil Spill Claims Administrator. On behalf of one of the lead lawyers in the BP Oil Spill Settlement, we want you to know and to correct some of the misinformation surrounding BP’s current media campaign. The undisputed factual record establishes that: 

Truth About the
BP Settlement

"BP selected and proposed Patrick Juneau to be appointed as Claims Administrator for the Court-Supervised Settlement Program. Mr. Juneau is a long-time member of the defense bar, who is universally respected, and has been appointed by courts all across the country to serve as special master or mediator in high profile litigation, including the Guidant MDL in Minnesota and the massive Toyota acceleration litigation in California. At no time did BP ever suggest, request or otherwise propose that Mr. Feinberg be considered as Claims Administrator for the Court-Supervised Settlement Program."

Just so everyone knows.

Source: BP Oil Spill Class Counsel

Fox News Weighs in on BP Oil Spill Claims - Video

BP Oil Spill Claims in Florida Video

Florida BP Oil Spill Claims have now caught the attention of Fox News. Fox News has reported fraud. BP has hired a prominent lawyer to fight claims that are made under the settlement. A settlement that BP lawyers helped to write and British Petroleum had  filed in a federal court.

See Also: BP Oil Spill Claims, Oil Spill Claims, BP Oil Spill Claims in Florida, Florida Oil Spill Claims

Source: http://video.foxnews.com/v/2523101029001/fraudulent-claims-filed-over-bp-oil-spill/

BP Settlement Claims Update

Just spent the rainy afternoon studying the latest official report on the status of BP Oil Spill Settlement claims, denial of claims, and appeals of claims (by BP) or denials of claims (appealed by victims). There are over 10,000 claims filed per month (see graph below). Between 2,000 and 4,000 claims are paid each month (see graph below). 3.5 Billion in claims to date.

Meanwhile here are the latest numbers:

175,049 Claim Forms since the Deepwater Horizon Economic and Property Damages Settlement Program opened.

9,152 have been denied. "As of June 10, 2013, we have issued 44,236 Eligibility Notices with Payment Offers totaling over $3.5 billion. As of that date, we also have made over $2.44 billion in payments on . . . 

35,391 claims.  Page 11 of 21.

The Statistics are filed by Patrick A. Juneau, Claims Administrator and a complete copy is available for your review here:

http://bpsettlement.floridaoilspill.com/BPSettlementClaimsReport061113.pdf

Graphs of BP Settlement Claims Made and Paid

Number of BP Settlement Claims Filed By Month

Amounts of BP Settlement Claims Paid by Month

Source: Case 2:10-md-02179-CJB-SS Document 10349 Filed 06/11/13

BP Oil Spill Claims - What People Don't Know - Video

BP Oil Spill Claims -
What People Don't Know

Florida BP Oil Spill Claims Attorney http://www.floridaoilspill.com notes that the media has covered the BP Oil Spill Claims for Businesses claims process extensively. What people and business owners don't know: "Is my business covered by the BP Oil Spill Claims Settlement?" This short video can help find a resource to determine if you, your family, or your business qualifies for a settlement from the Deepwater Horizon Claims Center .

The settlement is 1270 pages long and we have posted the agreement here for you to review. See http://bpsettlement.floridaoilspill.com/. We have studied the settlement agreement and can quickly calculate what, if any damages may be awarded.

Florida BP Oil Spill Claims Attorney - Video

One media source noted, "In the months after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded 300 miles off Florida's coast in April 2010, hotel and restaurant owners, fishermen and shopkeepers kept a grim vigil, waiting to see whether the millions of gallons of spilled oil would taint the state's beaches and harm its seafood." See Review.net  "Feeding Frenzy" March 8, 2013.

The Feeding Frenzy report also noted,, "In December, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans gave final approval to a $7.8 billion partial class-action settlement providing for economic and property damages from the spill, including those in Florida. BP separately agreed to pay $4.5 billion in penalties and pleaded guilty to felony misconduct in the disaster, which cost 11 lives. Barbier now is presiding over a trial to determine whether BP was grossly negligent, with another $17 billion in potential penalties at stake."

The writer recognized, "With the new guidelines, thousands of firms may qualify if they fall within designated coastal zones and show a 2010 drop in revenue after the disaster, with a rebound in 2011. But the window to collect damages from the largest oil spill in U.S. history is closing — economic and property damage claims must be filed by April 2014. "

The article concluded, "As of Feb. 10, in the third phase of payouts, the Deepwater Horizon Claims Center had issued 26,608 eligibility notices with payment offers totaling more than $2 billion throughout the gulf states. The center had also completed more than $1.43 billion in payments on 19,530 claims. "

BP Oil Spill Claims - What People in Florida Don't Know

Also See: BP Oil Spill Claims, oil spill, Florida Oil Spill Claims, Deepwater Horizon, Judge Carl Barbier, Deepwater Horizon Claims Center, Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Florida

Source: http://www.review.net/section/detail/feeding-frenzy/