BP Exploration & Production Found Grossly Negligent in Macondo Spill
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier issued his phase one findings of fact and conclusions of law Sept. 4 in the New Orleans multidistrict litigation.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier has found that the oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico from the Macondo well after the explosion and fire aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig resulted from BP Exploration & Production's gross negligence and willful misconduct under the Clean Water Act.
Barbier issued his phase one findings of fact and conclusions of law Sept. 4 in the New Orleans multidistrict litigation that involves BP, Halliburton, and Transocean, which owned the rig. He found that the comparative fault of the defendants, expressed as a percentage of total liability, is as follows:
- BP: 67%
- Transocean: 30%
- Halliburton: 3%
Barbier also found that "the conduct of BP's employees was egregious enough that exemplary or punitive damages would be appropriate. However, in light of Fifth Circuit precedent, the Court concludes that BP is not liable for punitive damages."