Posted on 02/25/2013 9:37:19 AM PST by SoFloFreeper
A high-stakes trial started Monday to assign blame and help figure out exactly how much more BP and other companies should pay for the nation’s worst offshore oil spill.
Attorney Jim Roy, who represents individuals and businesses hurt by the spill, said BP executives applied “huge financial pressure” on its drilling managers to “cut costs and rush the job” before the blowout of its Macondo well triggered an explosion that killed 11 workers and spawned the massive spill.
The project was more than $50 million over budget and behind schedule at the time of the blowout, Roy said.
“BP repeatedly chose speed over safety,” Roy said, quoting from a report by an expert who may testify later.
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier said he would hear several hours of opening statements Monday and the first witness would take the stand Tuesday. Unless a settlement is reached, the judge, not a jury, ultimately will decide months from now how much more money BP PLC and its partners on the ill-fated drilling project owe for their roles in the 2010 environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico.
(Excerpt) Read more at metronews.ca ...
So, If the judge rules they there are liable for say $15B, does that mean they get $5B back since they already forked over $20B?
BP killed 15 employees and injured dozens more going cheap at Texas City. They murdered 11 and injured dozens in the Macondo explosion, also cutting corners and going cheap.
They should thank their lucky stars I won’t be on the jury in this round. Gross negligence doesn’t really cover what they are guilty of.
Gross negligence AND GREED!
A pox on both their houses.
No good guys to root for here. Hope they screw the heck out of each other - BP and DOJ.
What a disaster for the Gulf! The thing is still seeping. So far only the government has made any money for damages - to wildlife and human health, and most property owners around the damaged area and small businesses who lost big bucks, too. Monsters!
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