Press reports say that settlement talks have faltered as lawyers are poised to begin the first phase of the liability trial in the BP oil spill cases. Inability to define the class of claimants is obstructing the ability to develop a global settlement: one that disposes of virtually all claims, which is the gold standard now for mass tort claims. - GWC
BP settlement talks collapse, sources say (Updated) | Loren Steffy | a Chron.com blog: "Settlement discussions have run hot and cold in the months leading up to the trial, and could still resume before the proceedings begin. Steve Herman, one of the lead attorneys on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee, insisted the talks were ongoing.“Talks are continuing,” he said in a statement.
Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents as many as 12,000 spill-related clients, said one of the stumbling blocks has been how to resolve cases that haven’t been filed yet.
“The bulk of the cases are not in the litigation,” he said. “The PSC cannot guarantee BP global peace, so as far as BP’s concerned, it cannot settle.”"
'via Blog this'
No comments:
Post a Comment