Mealeys

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Judge Trims Federal Securities Claims In BP Oil Spill Shareholder MDL
Posted on 8 Feb 2013 by Mealeys

HOUSTON - A federal judge in Texas on Feb. 6 granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss filed by BP PLC and certain of its subsidiaries and former executive officers, ruling that although shareholders have failed to plead scienter against... Read More

Tags: Securities and DOL , Banking and Finance , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation

MDL Judge Dismisses 3 Claims Stemming From Stigma Of Oil Spill
Posted on 2 Oct 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - The federal judge in Louisiana presiding over lawsuits stemming from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 1 dismissed three claims raised in the B1 bundle complaint stemming from economic... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation

Magistrate Judge Severs, Remands Cleanup Contract Suit From Oil Spill MDL
Posted on 3 Apr 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - A federal magistrate judge in Louisiana on March 30 severed and remanded a breach of contract action from the multidistrict litigation court for claims arising from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill in... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation

Divided 5th Circuit Panel Affirms Approval Of Gulf Oil Spill Settlement
Posted on 13 Jan 2014 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - A 2-1 panel of the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Jan. 10 affirmed a decision by the federal judge in Louisiana overseeing claims stemming from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , Litigation Procedure , oil spill litigation

ERISA Stock-Drop Case Against BP Fiduciaries Is Dismissed
Posted on 2 Apr 2012 by Mealeys

HOUSTON - Participants in BP's retirement plans failed to overcome the presumption that the plans' investment in company stock was prudent, even after the Deepwater Horizon explosion and uncontained oil spill, a federal judge in Texas ruled March... Read More

Tags: labor and employment , Banking and Finance , Top Headlines , Litigation Procedure , oil spill litigation

Oil Spill MDL Judge Caps Attorney Fees At 25 Percent
Posted on 18 Jun 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - The federal judge in Louisiana overseeing litigation arising from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, ruled June 15 that attorneys representing clients resolving claims through... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation

Landowners, Oyster Fisheries Opt Out Of $7.8 Billion BP Settlement, File Suits
Posted on 6 Nov 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - A group of landowners along the Gulf Coast and three oyster fisheries in Louisiana on Nov. 1 officially opted out of BP PLC's proposed $7.8 billion settlement for economic loss and medical claims arising from the oil spill caused by... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , Litigation Procedure , oil spill litigation

Judge Substantially Dismisses Securities Claims In BP Oil Spill Lawsuit
Posted on 7 Oct 2013 by Mealeys

HOUSTON - In an opinion made available on Oct. 7, a federal judge in New York significantly trimmed the claims in a securities class action complaint filed by Ohio state pension funds against BP PLC., two of its subsidiaries and three former officers... Read More

Tags: Securities and DOL , Banking and Finance , Top Headlines , Litigation Procedure , oil spill litigation

Government's Proposed Motion Says BP Is Misrepresenting Conduct, Gulf Recovery
Posted on 5 Sep 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - In a proposed brief filed Aug. 31 in response to BP PLC's motion for final approval of a $7.8 billion settlement for economic and property damages caused by the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill in... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation

Excess Insurers Seek Coverage Ruling For BP Oil Spill Claims
Posted on 3 Aug 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - Excess insurers filed suit on July 31 in Louisiana federal court seeking a declaration regarding coverage obligations for the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (Great American Insurance Company of New York, et al. v. BP Exploration... Read More

Tags: Top Headlines , oil spill litigation , Insurance

5th Circuit Denies Transocean's Motion To Stay Ruling Enforcing Subpoenas
Posted on 24 Jul 2013 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - Transocean Deepwater Drilling Inc.'s motion to stay pending appeal of the enforcement of government subpoenas requiring the owner of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig to produce documents related to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , Litigation Procedure , oil spill litigation

Former BP Engineer Arrested For Obstructing Justice In Oil Spill Investigation
Posted on 25 Apr 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Department of Justice on April 24 announced that a former engineer for BP PLC was arrested for two counts of obstructing justice in the criminal investigation of the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation

Transocean Says Obstacles Remain With Possible $1.5B Settlement With Government
Posted on 11 Sep 2012 by Mealeys

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Transocean Ltd., the owner of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in April 2010, resulting in a historic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, said in a Form 8-K filed Sept. 10 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation

Judge Gives Preliminary Approval Of Settlement Of Gulf Oil Spill Claims
Posted on 3 May 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana federal judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation for claims arising from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico gave preliminary approval for two separate class settlement... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation , Personal Injury/Product Liability Daily

BP To Pay $4.5 Billion, Plead Guilty To Criminal Charges For Oil Spill
Posted on 15 Nov 2012 by Mealeys

NEW ORLEANS - BP PLC announced Nov. 15 that it would plead guilty to a dozen felony charges brought by the federal government and pay $4.5 billion in penalties over its involvement in the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill... Read More

Tags: Toxic Tort/Environmental , Top Headlines , oil spill litigation , Personal Injury/Product Liability Daily

  • Blog Post: ERISA Stock-Drop Case Against BP Fiduciaries Is Dismissed

    Mealeys
    HOUSTON - Participants in BP's retirement plans failed to overcome the presumption that the plans' investment in company stock was prudent, even after the Deepwater Horizon explosion and uncontained oil spill, a federal judge in Texas ruled March 30 in dismissing the participants' breach...
    on 2 Apr 2012

  • Blog Post: Magistrate Judge Severs, Remands Cleanup Contract Suit From Oil Spill MDL

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - A federal magistrate judge in Louisiana on March 30 severed and remanded a breach of contract action from the multidistrict litigation court for claims arising from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, after finding that the parties...
    on 3 Apr 2012

  • Blog Post: Shareholders Pleaded Material Misrepresentations In Securities Suit, Judge Rules

    Mealeys
    NEW YORK - Lead plaintiffs in a securities class action lawsuit against Transocean Ltd. and others have properly pleaded material misrepresentations in making the federal securities law claims against the defendants for alleged misrepresentations made in connection with a merger between an oil and gas...
    on 4 Apr 2012

  • Blog Post: BP, Plaintiffs Seek Approval Of Settlement Of Gulf Oil Spill Claims

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - BP PLC and plaintiffs in the federal multidistrict litigation in Louisiana for claims arising from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico jointly filed for preliminary court approval for two separate class settlement agreements on April 18;...
    on 20 Apr 2012

  • Blog Post: Former BP Engineer Arrested For Obstructing Justice In Oil Spill Investigation

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Department of Justice on April 24 announced that a former engineer for BP PLC was arrested for two counts of obstructing justice in the criminal investigation of the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico for deleting text messages regarding...
    on 25 Apr 2012

  • Blog Post: Judge Gives Preliminary Approval Of Settlement Of Gulf Oil Spill Claims

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana federal judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation for claims arising from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico gave preliminary approval for two separate class settlement agreements on May 2, one resolving certain economic...
    on 3 May 2012

  • Blog Post: 5th Circuit Dismisses Groups' Appeal Over Offshore Drilling Permits

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - An appeal by three environmental groups seeking to vacate an amended judgment that requires the U.S. government to act upon six offshore drilling permits within 30 days was dismissed by a Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel on May 22, after it found that the groups would not be harmed...
    on 23 May 2012

  • Blog Post: Oil Spill MDL Judge Caps Attorney Fees At 25 Percent

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - The federal judge in Louisiana overseeing litigation arising from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, ruled June 15 that attorneys representing clients resolving claims through the multidistrict litigation's settlement...
    on 18 Jun 2012

  • Blog Post: Excess Insurers Seek Coverage Ruling For BP Oil Spill Claims

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - Excess insurers filed suit on July 31 in Louisiana federal court seeking a declaration regarding coverage obligations for the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (Great American Insurance Company of New York, et al. v. BP Exploration & Production Inc., et al., No. 11-275, E.D. La...
    on 3 Aug 2012

  • Blog Post: Evidence Supports Insured's Argument That Coverage Is Owed For BP Oil Spill

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - A Louisiana federal judge on Aug. 16 denied an insurer's motion for judgment on the pleadings in a coverage dispute arising out of the BP oil spill because there is sufficient evidence showing that the insurer owes coverage for the insured's liability related to the oil spill and...
    on 20 Aug 2012

  • Blog Post: Government's Proposed Motion Says BP Is Misrepresenting Conduct, Gulf Recovery

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - In a proposed brief filed Aug. 31 in response to BP PLC's motion for final approval of a $7.8 billion settlement for economic and property damages caused by the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. government asks that...
    on 5 Sep 2012

  • Blog Post: Transocean Says Obstacles Remain With Possible $1.5B Settlement With Government

    Mealeys
    WASHINGTON, D.C. - Transocean Ltd., the owner of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in April 2010, resulting in a historic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, said in a Form 8-K filed Sept. 10 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that a number of obstacles have interfered with its ability...
    on 11 Sep 2012

  • Blog Post: Gulf Oil Spill MDL Judge Lays Out Guidelines For Fairness Hearing

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - The federal judge in Louisiana presiding over claims arising from the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 11 issued an order providing guidelines for the Nov. 8 fairness hearing for final approval of BP Plc.'s...
    on 13 Sep 2012

  • Blog Post: MDL Judge Dismisses 3 Claims Stemming From Stigma Of Oil Spill

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - The federal judge in Louisiana presiding over lawsuits stemming from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 1 dismissed three claims raised in the B1 bundle complaint stemming from economic damages resulting from the stigma of the disaster...
    on 2 Oct 2012

  • Blog Post: Louisiana Asks For Separate Trial On Economic Loss Claims From Oil Spill

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - The State of Louisiana on Oct. 24 asked the federal judge overseeing litigation arising from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig to set a separate trial date for its economic loss claims against BP PLC, arguing that...
    on 26 Oct 2012

  • Blog Post: Landowners, Oyster Fisheries Opt Out Of $7.8 Billion BP Settlement, File Suits

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - A group of landowners along the Gulf Coast and three oyster fisheries in Louisiana on Nov. 1 officially opted out of BP PLC's proposed $7.8 billion settlement for economic loss and medical claims arising from the oil spill caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and...
    on 6 Nov 2012

  • Blog Post: BP To Pay $4.5 Billion, Plead Guilty To Criminal Charges For Oil Spill

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - BP PLC announced Nov. 15 that it would plead guilty to a dozen felony charges brought by the federal government and pay $4.5 billion in penalties over its involvement in the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and ensuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Follow this link to view...
    on 15 Nov 2012

  • Blog Post: 5th Circuit: Negligence Claims Against Rescue Vessels Properly Dismissed

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - General maritime negligence law claims brought by fishermen against rescue vessel owners and operators that extinguished the fire on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig before its explosion were properly dismissed due to a lack of foreseeability, a Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruled...
    on 14 Dec 2012

  • Blog Post: Transocean To Pay$1.4B To Resolve Claims Over Deepwater Horizon Incident

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - Transocean Deepwater Inc. and the federal government on Jan. 3 filed a consent decree in which the company has agreed to pay $1 billion in civil penalties, $400 million in criminal fines and plead guilty to environmental crimes to resolve claims stemming from the explosion of the Deepwater...
    on 4 Jan 2013

  • Blog Post: 5th Circuit: BP Well Site Leader Must Submit To Medical Examination

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - A Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel on Jan. 3 found that a BP well site leader who was aboard the Deepwater Horizon oil rig must submit to an examination by a court-appointed psychiatrist and provide his medical records to the court-appointed doctor in order to determine whether...
    on 4 Jan 2013

  • Blog Post: 5th Circuit Affirms Dismissal Of Group's Environmental Claims Over Oil Spill

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - A Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel on Jan. 9 affirmed the dismissal of claims brought by the Center for Biological Diversity under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) against BP America Production Co. and others...
    on 10 Jan 2013

  • Blog Post: 5th Circuit Upholds Dismissal Of Shareholder Derivative Suit Against BP

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - A Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel on Jan. 17 affirmed the dismissal of a shareholder derivative lawsuit brought on behalf of BP PLC on the ground of forum non conveniens, finding that the defendants stipulated to the jurisdiction of the English courts and that the federal judge...
    on 17 Jan 2013

  • Blog Post: Judge Accepts BP's Guilty Pleas, Agreement To Pay $4.5B In Penalties

    Mealeys
    NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge in Louisiana on Jan. 29 approved BP Exploration & Production Inc.'s offer to plead guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter and pay $4.5 billion in criminal penalties for its role in the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20, 2010, and ensuing oil spill...
    on 29 Jan 2013

  • Blog Post: Judge Trims Federal Securities Claims In BP Oil Spill Shareholder MDL

    Mealeys
    HOUSTON - A federal judge in Texas on Feb. 6 granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss filed by BP PLC and certain of its subsidiaries and former executive officers, ruling that although shareholders have failed to plead scienter against one of the defendants, they have properly pleaded...
    on 8 Feb 2013

  • Blog Post: DOJ: Judge Accepts Transocean's Guilty Plea; Company To Pay $400M

    Mealeys
    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Justice announced that on Feb. 14 a federal judge in Louisiana accepted Transocean Ltd.'s guilty plea for violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) over its conduct leading to the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and that the company will pay $400...
    on 15 Feb 2013