According to the Wall Street Journal, the civil trial over the oil spill disaster was delayed and rescheduled for Monday morning in a New Orleans federal court. The delay resumes so BP PLC and lawyers for business and individuals suing BP can continue talks.
Lawyers representing about 120,000 businesses and individuals have been given more time to work out an out-of-court agreement. Business Week reported the lawsuits against BP and its partners include pollution claims by federal and state governments and consolidated cases brought by thousands of commercial fishermen, seafood processors, property owners and tourism-related businesses harmed by the spill.
If a deal isn't reached, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier will determine if companies are responsible for punitive damages to thousands of businesses and fines to the government.
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