BP attorney suggests that the oil giant might seek to cap spill claims at $75 million

[The Straight Story]

BP attorney suggests that the oil giant might seek to cap spill claims at $75 million

In a seemingly never-ending parade of radio, television, print and web ads, in addition to numerous official statements, BP officials have repeatedly insisted that the company intends to make the Gulf Coast and its residents "whole" again. In the latest such PR blitz, BP employee and New Orleans native Iris Cross reiterates that the company will do everything it has to do in order to "make this right."

But yesterday in federal court, an attorney for the oil giant sent shockwaves throughout the Gulf region by suggesting that BP may seek shelter under the $75 million liability cap polluters can invoke under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier, who's presiding over the more than 300 consolidated lawsuits against the company, was taken aback when BP attorney Don Haycraft floated the idea of the liability cap. Barbier replied simply that "BP said it would pay whatever necessary." Steven Herman, a plaintiffs attorney in the case, also registered surprise. "We're shocked over here to hear the defendants now bring up this $75 million cap," he said. "We were under the impression it was waived."

Haycraft did not dispute BP's oft-repeated stance -- but he also noted that the company has already forked over "lots and lots" of money, suggesting that the Oil Pollution Act could help stanch the company's cash outlays in reparation to spill victims who've lost income as a result of the disaster.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/bp-attorney-suggests-that-the-oil-giant-might-seek-to-cap-spill-claims-at-75-million

[Angry Dragon]

1. Scum always come to the surface

And we are surprised??

They have not even finished the clean-up .........
Kill 11 people, try to destroy an ecosystem, threaten the health of millions
told not to do it again.

Rob a grocery store, get ten years.

[ixion]

2. BP: Just another scumbag corporation

Every one of them can rot in hell, for all I care.

[laughingliberal]

3. K & R nt

[TheKentuckian]

4. and I'm all for seizure or destruction of every asset they have on the globe.

[laughingliberal]

5. I think I can assume you, like me, were in favor of this months ago...

when we kept hearing here how the Administration was not being played by BP.

[TheKentuckian]

7. Absolutely and now mad as a hornet.

[JudyM]

6. Well, this is the only type of 'cap' BP will dedicate all its energy and brainpower to. eom