New Orleans, LA – The Justice Department says a federal judge's ruling awarding hefty fees for plaintiffs' lawyers fighting BP over its massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill discourages people from settling claims with the oil giant outside the courtroom.
In a court filing Thursday, the Justice Department opposed U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier's decision to set aside up to 6 percent of claims payments after Dec. 30 for trial lawyers affiliated with a steering committee helping plaintiffs with oil spill litigation against BP PLC.
The question of lawyers' fees is contentious. Louisiana's attorney general and lawyers working to settle clients' claims outside of court claim Barbier's fee structure unfairly rewards trial lawyers.
The Justice Department contends the ruling goes against the intent of the Oil Pollution Act and discourages people from settling.
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