Alabama Sues BP Over Gulf Oil Spill
Christopher Weber
Correspondent
Posted:
08/13/10
The state of Alabama is suing BP and other companies for their roles in the disastrous Gulf oil spill, accusing them of damaging the state's beaches and economy through "negligent or wanton failure to adhere to recognized industry standards."
Two lawsuits were filed late Thursday by Attorney General Troy King, one against BP and the other against Transocean, Halliburton and other companies connected to the spill, The Associated Press reported. They seek economic and punitive damages but no specific amount was named.
The suits are among at least 300 federal complaints filed in 12 states against BP and others related to the April 20 oil rig explosion that killed 11 workers and sent crude gushing into the Gulf for over three months.
Two lawsuits were filed late Thursday by Attorney General Troy King, one against BP and the other against Transocean, Halliburton and other companies connected to the spill, The Associated Press reported. They seek economic and punitive damages but no specific amount was named.
The suits are among at least 300 federal complaints filed in 12 states against BP and others related to the April 20 oil rig explosion that killed 11 workers and sent crude gushing into the Gulf for over three months.
BP spokesman Justin Saia told the AP the company had not seen the lawsuit and had no comment.
The lawsuits are not supported by Alabama's governor, Republican Bob Riley, who has said he hopes BP will voluntarily compensate the state. But King accused BP of dragging its feet and said the lawsuits were appropriate now.
"As Alabama's lawyer, I say that, if anything, based on BP's broken promises, their history of saying one thing and doing another, and now, new information that they have been secretly working to gain a legal advance, further delay can only further damage our people," King said.