Ruling against BP clears way for appeal of spill payouts
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[quote](Reuters) - A U.S. judge's ruling Friday against BP Plc (BP.L) means the company can proceed with its appeal of the way a court-appointed administrator apportions payments for claims related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, some of which BP called "absurd."
Federal District Judge Carl Barbier said he found no reason to reverse his decision last month to uphold the payout process. This was despite BP's protest at payouts including $21 million for a Louisiana rice mill 40 miles from the coast which earned more revenue in 2010 than in any of the previous three years.
The hearing in New Orleans federal court revisited a part of BP's liability laundry list that seemed settled last year when it agreed to terms on economic, property and medical compensation for individuals and businesses who filed a class action suit.
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The accident killed 11 people and triggered the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. BP has estimated it will spend at least $42 billion to cover clean-up, fines and other liabilities, and has sold off assets to cover its costs.
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On top of the plaintiffs' claims, there are also civil claims under the Clean Water Act covered by the New Orleans trial that could add as much as $17.5 billion to the total bill. Billions more could be piled on in economic damage claims from Gulf Coast states, while a third set of claims, for natural resource damage, have not yet been filed.
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[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/05/us-bp-spill-payouts-idUSBRE9340O420130405[/url]
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