BP, Europe's second-largest oil company has asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to dismiss thousands of claims related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill filed by individuals and business owners in the Gulf Coast region. Barbier did not immediately rule after hearing the motions today.
BP argues Barbier must dismiss thousands of maritime and state law claims for economic losses by commercial fishermen, property owners and others because they are pre-empted by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, according to the Associated Press. Claimants have said they suffered economic hardship as a result of the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Last year, BP (BP) set up a $20 billion compensation fund for victims of the spill. The fund has been administered by former Obama Administration executive pay czar Kenneth Feinberg.
Plaintiffs' attorneys dispute that the 1990 law is the only vehicle for resolving these claims, the AP reported.
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