Workers who claimed they were injured in 2007 when a toxic substance was released at a BP PLC Texas City plant were awared more than $100 million by a US federal jury. They were awarded additional funds in punitive damages, and for pain and suffering and medical expenses. BP PLC said in a statement that the Company plans to appeal the verdict.
___________________________________
HOUSTON – A US federal jury awarded more than $100 million to 10 workers who claimed they were injured in 2007 when a toxic substance was released at BP PLC's Texas City plant. The jurors gave each contract worker $10 million in punitive damages. Nine of the workers were also awarded between $5,000 and $10,000 for pain and suffering and medical expenses, while the 10th got more than $240,000.
The verdict came after 1 1/2 days of deliberations following a three-week trial. In a brief statement, BP denied the company had harmed any of the workers. "We are shocked and outraged by today's verdict, and we will appeal," BP said. "The verdict, and punitive damages award in particular, is utterly unjustified, improper and unsupportable." Tony Buzbee, the workers' attorney, said his clients were pleased with the jury's decision, adding he had approached BP before the trial and had offered to settle for $10,000 for each worker. BP rejected the proposal, he said. "They tried to minimize it, attack the credibility of the workers," Buzbee said. "They simply would not admit that they had released something." The refinery was the site of a 2005 explosion that killed 15 people and injured 170. It was the worst U.S. industrial accident since 1990.
Source: LawDay
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment