BP Spill Victims Win Judge’s Approval to Seek Punitive Damages
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Businesses and individuals suing BP Plc and other companies involved in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill won a federal judge’s approval to seek punitive damages in pursuing claims of economic and environmental losses.
BP and the other companies claimed the U.S. Oil Pollution Act prevented plaintiffs from collecting punitive damages. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans ruled yesterday that the statute is “silent as to the availability of punitive damages” and plaintiffs can pursue such claims under maritime law.