"Louisiana Requests Trial To Decide $1 Billion Spill Claim Against BP"

"The state of Louisiana has asked a federal judge to declare a jury trial to decide on its claim for more than $1 billion from BP Plc to compensate the state for economic losses resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill."



"In a filing on Wednesday, Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans to set a free-standing trial that would be separate from the massive three-part case that Barbier is overseeing to determine liability for the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

That trial, to determine billions of dollars in liability for the spill, is set to get under way on January 14, 2013, in New Orleans.

Barbier has largely stayed government damages claims until liability for the spill is determined, leaving Louisiana with no recourse to recover damages, the state said."

Chris Baltimore reports for Reuters October 26, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"BP Caps, Plugs Equipment Believed To Be Source of Recent Sheen in Gulf Near Site of 2010 Spill" (AP)
 

Source: Reuters, 10/26/2012