A Kansas District Court judge says the city of Neodesha is entitled by law to recover the costs of cleanup and damage caused by an oil refinery. The ruling from the judge overturns a jury verdict that sided with oil giant British Petroleum (BP) Corp. North America.
The judge made the decision after saying that he made a mistake in jury instructions over liability in the class-action lawsuit. The city is now entitled to a new trial to determine the damages; the city is demanding over $450 million for clean costs as well as punitive damages.
Legal Analysis: BP will not do the right thing and pay the cost of clean up, you can bet that they will appeal this all the way to the Kansas Supreme Court. Settlement, if any will be years down the line.