BP (NYSE:BP) No Longer Accepting Negligence Claims

Jim Hood, Mississippi's Attorney General said that he has yet to decide either way if he will file a state lawsuit against BP (NYSE:BP), because of the damage they have suffered from the oil spill. Hood said, "We're in no hurry to file any litigation."

He said that he is taking the time to fully review potential claims. He is looking for damages caused by the spill. As well as the chemical dispersant used and it's possible long term effects. BP's statics show that Mississippi has filed a total of 9,600 "actionable" legal claims. Only 6,050 of these claims are still being reviewed, that's 63 percent.

On Wednesday August 23rd, BP will no longer be accepting new negligence claims. Kennith Feinberg, the administrator appointed by the government will be taking over and handling all legal claims from that point on.

While BP says they have received a total of 24,493 claims from Mississippi and paid out close to $29.5 million to the state. Hood said that according to the company's statistics, of the 1,062 from rental property owners, a total of 363 were paid. While 213 claims were made by restaurant owners and only 53 were paid out, and 30 of 695 claims were filled for boats.

BP (NYSE:BP): Lawsuit Settlements, Judge Panel Says No Way

In New Orleans federal court, BP (NYSE:BP) is facing hundreds of lawsuits. BP was wanting to consolidate all of the lawsuits. A panel of judges said no, this is a victory for the plaintiffs who are seeking billions in damages. There will be no lawsuit settlements.

The judge presiding over these cases is U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier. The cases include wrongful death claims, submitted by the families of the deceased workers who lost their lives caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig. Other claims are those submitted by BP investors, Gulf Coast businesses and for environmental damage.

During the decision the panel said, "Without discounting the spills effects on other states, if there is a geographic and physiological 'center of gravity' in this docket, then the Eastern District of Louisiana is closest to it."

Supreme Court Denies Claim Against Halliburton (NYSE:HAL)

Annette Carmichael of Atlanta, Georgia filed a lawsuit on behalf of her husband Sargent Keith Carmichael against Halliburton (NYSE:HAL). In papers filed with the court, Mrs. Carmichael was claimed that her husband suffered brain injury when a truck in a fuel convoy crashed into him.

He was assigned to ride a tanker truck operated by Kellogg, Brown & Root, Halliburton's former subsidiary during a 2004 convoy. When a civilian failed to make a curve, Mr. Carmichael was thrown and pinned under the truck. He was left in a permanent vegetative state.

The case was originally filed in Georgia State court in 2006. The lawsuit was transferred at the request of the companies to federal court where they won full dismissal. Mrs. Carmichael appealed the decision. The Obama administration recommending full denial of the appeal. The federal appeals court ruled without comment, dismissing the lawsuit.