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Current Developments The Economic
and Property Damages Settlement Agreement as amended on May 2, 2012
can be viewed here. The Medical Benefits Class Action Settlement Agreement as amended
on May 1, 2012, can be viewed here. Questions regarding these settlements should be directed to the
Court Supervised Settlement Program, which can be reached at (866)
992-6174 or for TTY assistance (888) 584-7624. Information is also
available from this website:
www.deepwaterhorizonsettlements.com and from the
contacts/references listed here. Inquiries about these settlements should NOT be directed to the
Court. The Court also issued an Order regarding new related cases pending consolidation The Court also issued an
Order regarding
filing requests for summons and summons returns. On this date, the Court issued an
Order regarding public access to trial materials through a FTP website, www.mdl2179trialdocs.com. On this date, the Court signed a
Partial Consent Decree with
Amendment between the United States and the Transocean entities. The Court also signed a
Stipulation mooting
BP’s motion for partial summary judgment respecting civil
penalties for 800,000 barrels of oil. On this date, the Court issued an Order providing for a structured settlement option. The Court also issued an Order appointing Daniel J. Balhoff as joint Court-Designated Neutral to preside with John W. Perry over the settlement of the seafood program. Randi S. Ellis is appointed as Deputy Court-Designated Neutral. On this date, the Court issued an Order denying a motion for
extension of time to submit claims to the Seafood Compensation Program. On this date, the Court held a
Final
Pretrial Conference. The conference was
transcribed by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may
contact her at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript.
The Court also issued an
Order
regarding press and public access to the Phase One trial. On this date, the Court issued an Order directing the Medical Benefits Settlement Claims Administrator to send letters regarding requests to revoke exclusion (opt-out) requests. On this date, the Court issued an Order directing the Notice
Administrator to send letters reminding potential oyster leaseholder
class members of the January 22, 2013 deadline for filing claims
with the Seafood Compensation Program. The Court also issued an Order directing the Claims Administrator
to send letters regarding requests to revoke exclusion (opt-out)
requests. On this date, the Court changed the time of the January 18 Final Pretrial Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. The Final Pretrial Conference is not open to the public; only trial counsel may attend. On this date, the Court issued an
Order and
Reasons and an
Order
and Judgment certifying the Medical Benefits Settlement
Class and granting final approval of the Medical Benefits Class
Action Settlement. On this date, the Court issued Amended Pretrial Order No. 54, regarding procedures for Phase One Trial on February 25, 2013. On this date, the Court issued an Order and Reasons and Order and Judgment certifying the Economic and Property Settlement Class and granting final approval of the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement. On this date, the Court Canceled the Status Conference scheduled for Tuesday, December 18.
On this date, the Court issued Pretrial Order No. 54, regarding pretrial procedures for the Feb. 25, 2013 Phase One Trial.
On this date, the Court issued an
Order granting
Nalco’s motion for summary judgment. On this date, the Court issued an Order extending deadlines for revoking opt-out requests for the proposed class action settlements. On this date, the Court held a Final Fairness Hearing. The hearing was transcribed by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript. The next Status Conference will be on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. C.S.T. On this date, the Court issued
Third Amended
Pretrial Order No. 41 [Case Management Order No.5],
rescheduling the Phase I Trial for February 25, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.
and changing the dates of other conferences. The Court also issued a
Third Amendment to
Pretrial Order No. 1, regarding attorneys appearing pro
hac vice. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed
by Toni Tusa, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at
(504) 589-7778 to request a copy of the transcript. The
next Status Conference will be on Tuesday, December 18 at 9:30
a.m. C.S.T. On this date, the Court issued a Tentative Agenda for the 10/26/12 Status Conference. On this date, the Court issued an Order approving a procedure for the Claims Administrator of the Medical Benefits Class Action Settlement to process claims on behalf of deceased, minor, or incompetent claimants.
On this date, the Court issued an Order concerning refund of transition payments. On this date, the Court issued an Order granting motions to dismiss the “Pure Stigma Claims,” “BP Dealer Claims,” and “Recreation Claims.” The Court also rescheduled the next Status Conference for October 26, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. On this date, the Court issued an Order approving a procedure for the Claims Administrator of the Economic and Property Damages Settlement to process claims on behalf of deceased, minor, or incompetent claimants. The Court also received a Report by the Claims Administrator of the Deepwater Horizon Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement. On this date, the Court issued an Order regarding procedures for the Claims Administrator to obtain trip tickets, dealer reports, and/or their equivalents directly from authorities. The Court issued a similar Order regarding commercial fishing licenses and a similar Order regarding vessel registration information. On this date, the Court held a Status Conference. The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript. The next Status Conference will be on Friday, October 19, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. C.D.T. On this date, the Court issued an Order changing the time of the 9/14/12 Status Conference to 9:00 a.m. The Court also issued an Order approving a procedure to process third party claims against claimant recoveries in the Economic and Property Damages Settlement. On this date, the Court issued an Order regarding attendance at Liaison Counsel Meetings. On this date, the Court issued Pretrial Order No. 53,
re-appointing Plaintiff's Co-Liaison Counsel, Plaintiffs'
Executive Committee, and Plaintiffs' Steering Committee. On this date, the Court issued Pretrial Order No. 52,
coordinating Phase Two Discovery with MDL 2185 and amending PTO 27
and PTO 17. On this date, the Court issued an Order extending the deadline
for filing and service of objections to the two class action
settlements through September 7, 2012. On this date, the Court issued an Order extending the
opt-out deadline for the proposed class action settlements to
November 1, 2012. On this date, the Court issued an Order granting in part and
denying in part Liberty Insurance Underwriters, Inc.'s Motion for
Judgment on the Pleadings. On this date, the Court canceled the Status Conference
scheduled for August 17, 2012. The next Status Conference is
scheduled for September 14, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order No. 51, governing
subpoenas to third parties. On this date, the Court issued an Order regarding misleading
websites. On this date, the Court issued Pretrial Order 50, amending
Pretrial Order 13, to govern the production of certain information
by the United States. On this date, the Court held a Status Conference. The
monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504)
589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript. The next
Status Conference will be on Friday, August 17, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. On this date, the court issued a Revised Tentative Agenda for the July
13, 2012 Status Conference. On this date, the court issued a Tentative Agenda for the July
13, 2012 Status Conference. On this date, the Court issued an
Order appointing
appeal panelist pursuant to the Economic and Property Damages
Settlement Agreement. On this date, the Court issued an order capping certain
attorneys’ fees at 25%. On this date, the Court cancelled the Status Conference
scheduled for June 15, 2012. On this date, the Court received a
Status Report
from the Claims Administrator regarding the transfer of claims,
data, etc. to the Court Supervised Settlement Program. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order No. 49, establishing docket number 10-7777
for filing objections to the proposed settlements. On this date, the Court issued
Second Amended
Pretrial Order No. 41 (Case Management Order No. 4)
regarding the Trial of Liability, Limitation, Exoneration, and
Fault scheduled to re-commence on January 14, 2013. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
setting the dates of status conferences through December 2012. On this date, the Court held an In-Chambers
Status Conference
regarding the trial plan. The Limitation and Liability Trial is
scheduled for January 14, 2013. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
preliminarily and conditionally certifying the Economic and
Property Damages Settlement Class and preliminarily approving the
proposed Economic and Property Damages Settlement. The Court also issued an
Order
preliminarily and conditionally certifying the Medical Benefits
Settlement Class and preliminarily approving the proposed Medical
Benefits Settlement. The Court also issued an
Order
extending the deadline for the acceptance of the GCCF quick pay
offers to June 11, 2012. On this date, a
Preliminary Approval Hearing was held regarding the
Motions for Preliminary Approval of the proposed Economic and
Property Damage Class Settlement and Medical Benefits Class
Settlement. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
scheduling a hearing for Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 2 p.m., on
the request for conditional and preliminary certification of the
Economic/Property Damage Class and Medical Benefits Class and the
request for preliminary approval of the proposed settlements
respecting these putative classes. April 16, 2012 On this date, the Court issued an
Order extending the deadline for
submitting the motion for
preliminary approval to 8:30 a.m.
CDT on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. On this date, the Court issued a
Clarifying Order
regarding the transition process and GCCF appeals. On this date, the Court issued a
Clarifying Order regarding the transition process and
"Bundle A" personal injury and/or wrongful death claims. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
appointing John W. Perry to preside over the seafood component of
the proposed settlement. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
(as amended)
creating the transition process and appointing claims
administrator and transition coordinator. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
appointing interim class counsel. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
adjourning Phase I of the trial scheduled to commence March 5,
2012. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
adjourning Phase I of the trial until March 5, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
regarding the United States’, Transocean’s, and Anadarko’s
Cross-Motions for Partial Summary Judgment on liability under the
Oil Pollution Act and Clean Water Act. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
regarding access to the trial by the press and public. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
unsealing documents connected to Weatherford’s Motion for Summary
Judgment. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
addressing some frequently asked questions received from the
press and the public regarding the Feb. 27,
2012 trial. On this date, the Court held a
Pretrial Conference
regarding the trial scheduled to commence on February 27, 2012. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
changing the time of the 2/3/12 Pretrial Conference to 8:30
a.m. This Pretrial Conference is not a public hearing in
court, but intended as a chambers conference with only trial
counsel to discuss logistical or other issues relating to the
trial scheduled to commence on February 27, 2012. The Court also issued an
Order
granting in part and denying in part Halliburton’s and BP’s
Cross-Motions for Partial Summary Judgment regarding contractual
indemnity. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
granting in part and denying in part Transocean’s and BP’s
Cross-Motions for Partial Summary Judgment regarding contractual
indemnity. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The Pretrial Conference will
be on Friday, February 3, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. C.S.T. This final
Pretrial Conference is not a public
hearing in court, but intended as a chambers conference with
trial counsel to discuss logistical or
other issues relating to the trial scheduled to commence on
February 27, 2012. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for the
January 19, 2012 Status Conference. The Court issued an
Order
amending and superseding previous Orders relative to the
Court-supervised escrow account and reserve. The Court issued
Pretrial Order 48,
amending Pretrial Order 26 and appointing Attorney General James
D. "Buddy" Caldwell as Co-Coordinating Counsel for State
Interests. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
amending and clarifying its Order of December 28, 2011, which
established a Court-supervised escrow account and reserve. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
establishing a Court-supervised escrow account and reserve. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
rescheduling the next Status Conference for January 19, 2012 at
9:30 a.m. On this date, the Court issued held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The next Status Conference
will be on Friday, January 20, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. C.S.T. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for
the December 16, 2011 Status Conference. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
granting in part and denying in part Defendants’ Motions to
Dismiss the Local Government Entity Master Complaint and certain
other cases within Pleading Bundle C. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The next Status Conference
will be on Friday, December 16, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. C.S.T. On this date, the Court issued a
Revised Tentative Agenda for
the November 18, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for
the November 18, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
denying the BP entities’ Motion for Judgment
on the Pleadings in the Insurance Actions, Case Nos.11-274 and
11-275. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
granting in part and denying in part Defendants’ Motions to
Dismiss the Complaints of the States of Alabama and Louisiana. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The next Status Conference
will be on Friday, November 18, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. C.S.T. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for the
October 21, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
granting the Joint Motion to Dismiss the claims asserted in the B4
Pleading Bundle. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #46, appointing Plaintiffs’ Liaison
Counsel, Plaintiff Executive Committee, and Plaintiffs’ Steering
Committee. The Court also issued
Pretrial Order #47, regarding
designation of documents as "Confidential" or "Highly
Confidential" pursuant to Pretrial Order #13. On this date, the Court issued an
Amended
Order, granting in part and denying in part Defendants’
Motions to Dismiss the B3 Master Complaint (amending Order of
September 30, 2011). On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #44, relating to deposition protocol, and
Pretrial Order #45, relating
to the use of sample reference material. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
granting in part and denying in part Defendants’ Motions to
Dismiss the B3 Master Complaint). On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #43, relating to the definition of "sample"
and the Court’s preservation requirements. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The next Status Conference
will be on Friday, October 21, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. C.D.T. The Court also issued Pretrial
Order #42, approving forms for Short-Form Joinder and
Plaintiff Profile Form amendments and dismissals, adopting forms
for the release of medical and employer information, and vacating
Pretrial Order 34. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #41 (Case Management Order # 3; Amended on
September 21, 2011), governing
the scope and structure of the Trial scheduled for February 27,
2012. The Court also issued a
Tentative Agenda for
the September 16, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
regarding the creation and management of a shared database to
house data for Bundle B1, Bundle B3, and Bundle C Plaintiffs. On this date, the Court issued a
Stipulated Order
setting deadlines for certain pleadings relative to the B1 Master
Complaint, B3 Master Complaint, Limitation Action (10-2771), and
United States v. BP Exploration & Production Inc., et al.
(10-4536). On this date, the Court issued an
Order, granting in part and denying in part
Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss the B1 Bundle Master Complaint. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. On this date, the Court issued an
Updated Tentative Agenda for
the August 12, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for
the August 12, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
denying BP’s Motion to Dismiss Transocean’s Complaint in
Intervention in the Insurance Actions. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
granting BP’s Motion to Stay Proceedings Between BP and Anadarko. On this date, the Court also issued an
Order, granting
BP’s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ RICO Claims (B2 Pleading
Bundle). On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
granting Plaintiffs’ Motion on the Admissibility of the Boots and
Coots Report. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #40 which addresses the return of tangible
items in the possession of the JIT to designated owners. July 8, 2011 On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The next status conference
will be Friday, August 12, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. The Court also issued Pretrial
Order #38 relating to confidentiality of settlement
negotiations, Pretrial Order #39
relating to testing of samples, an
Order granting
BP’s Motion for Non-Applicability of Preservation of Evidence
Obligations, and a Case
Management Order regarding limited discovery and mediation
in connection with Vessels of Opportunity Program contract
matters. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for the July 8, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #37 relating to United States’ and Natural
Resource Trustees’ testing of samples. On this date, the Court issued an agreed-upon
Case
Management Order governing insurance actions. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
relating to BP’s Motion to Stay Proceedings Between BP and
Anadarko and instructing the parties to submit further briefing. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
granting Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ D1 Master
Complaint, which included claims for injunctive and regulatory
relief. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference,
including the oral argument on the Motions to Dismiss, was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The next status conference
will be Friday, July 8, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. On this date, the Court issued an
Agenda for the May 26, 2011
status conference. On this date, the Court
issued Pretrial Order #36
regarding the production of confidential information by the United
States. On this date, the Court also issued an
Amendment to
Pretrial Orders #1 and #14 regarding communications
between counsel for the United States, the States, and the
Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee. On this date, the Court issued an
Order denying
certain Plaintiffs’ Motion to Clarify Pretrial Order #34. On this date, the Court held a Status Conference. The monthly status conference was transcribed
by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her
at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript. The
next status conference will be Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 8:30
a.m. On this date, the Court also issued
Pretrial Order #35,
amending Pretrial Order #30
governing out-of-date samples. On this date, the Court issued an
Agenda for the April 29, 2011
status conference. On this date, the Court issued an
Order, vacating the
St. Joe’s Company’s Notices of Voluntary Dismissals in two member
cases. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #34, requiring leave of court for
dismissals without prejudice. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed
by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her
at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript. The
next status conference will be Friday, April 29, 2011, at 9:30
a.m. On this date, the Court also issued an
Order
granting BP’s Motion for Access to the Deepwater Horizon blowout
preventer (Rec. Doc. 1533). On this date, the Court issued an
Agenda for the March 25, 2011
status conference. On this date, the Court also issued a
Stipulated Order
governing deadlines in connection with Petitioners’ Rule 14(c)
Third-Party Complaint and Certain Bundle C Pleadings. On this date, the Court issued an
Order, which
permits the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee to provide Commonly
Asked Questions to potential claimants. On this date, the Court issued another
Order,
regarding deadlines for answers, cross-claims, and third-party
complaints. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #33, which provides the Short-Form Joinder
form for local government entities and deems Short-Form Joinders
filed in CA 10-9999 to be filed within MDL 2179 and the Limitation
Action, CA 10-2771. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #32 (Case Management Order #2), which
includes a revised case management schedule. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 31, which clarifies the master
complaints, short-form joinders, and responsive pleadings. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed by Cathy Pepper,
Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her at (504) 589-7779
to request a copy of the transcript. The next status conference
will be Friday, March 25, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. On this date, the Court issued three Orders relating to
parties’ preservation-of-evidence obligations:
Pretrial Order # 30 (granting
the United States’ Motion regarding out-of-date samples),
Order (granting the United States’ Motion regarding
destructive testing of rock samples and drill cuttings), and
Order
(granting BP’s Motion regarding various equipment). On this date, the Court also issued
Pretrial Order # 29, regarding
documents produced by BP in the Texas City Litigation. On this date, the Court issued an
Order, which
grants the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee’s Motion for Court
Approval of Proposed Notice (Rec. Doc. 1126). On this date, the Court also issued a
Tentative Agenda for the
February 25, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 28, which amends Pretrial Order # 25 and
Pretrial Order # 11 regarding responsive pleadings deadlines. On this date, the Court issued an
Order, which grants in
part Plaintiffs’ Motion to Supervise Ex Parte Communications
Between BP Defendants and Putative Class Members (Rec. Doc. 912). On this date, the Court also issued an
Order,
granting the State of Louisiana’s Motion for Confirmation of
Non-Applicability of, or Exemption from, Certain Party-Plaintiff
Requirements (Rec. Doc. 876). On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed
by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her
at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript. The
next status conference will be Friday, February 25, 2011, at 9:30
a.m. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 27, which amends Pretrial Order # 17 on
deposition protocol. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 26, announcing the appointment of
Government Coordinating Counsel. On this date, the Court also issued a
Tentative Agenda for
the January 28, 2011 status conference. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 25, which clarified the pleading bundles,
responsive pleadings, and the master complaints, as well as
provided the Amended
Plaintiff Profile Form and the
Short-Form
Joinder form. On this date, the Court also issued
Pretrial Order # 24, which
deemed Short-Form Joinders filed in CA 10-8888 to be filed within
MDL 2179 and the Limitation Action, CA 10-2771. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 23, which
provides notification to unrepresented defendants of depositions. On this date, the Court also issued
Pretrial Order # 22, relating to the United States’ preservation of documents
and electronically stored information. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 21, which designates the location of BP
employee depositions. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed
by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her
at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript. The
next status conference will be Friday, January 28, 2011, at 9:30
a.m. Also on this date, the Court issued an
Order,
granting the United States’ First Amended Petition for Enforcement
of Administrative Subpoena (Rec. Doc. 6 in member case 10-4397). Lastly, the Court issued Pretrial
Order # 20, which outlines direct-file procedures for
parties wishing to join in a Master Complaint. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for
the December 17, 2010 status conference. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 19, which sets the dates for status
conferences through February 2012. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 18, which governs discovery of experts. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference.
The monthly status conference was transcribed
by Cathy Pepper, Official Court Reporter. Counsel may contact her
at (504) 589-7779 to request a copy of the transcript.
The Court scheduled the next status conference for Friday,
December 17, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. Also on this date, the Court issued an
Order,
which outlines how Defendant BP will treat different categories of
items having varying degrees of evidentiary worth (Rec. Doc. 780). On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda for the
November 19, 2010 status conference. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 17, which outlines deposition protocol. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 16, which outlines discovery procedures
and format relating to the production of documents and electronic
data. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 15, which continues without hearing all
pending and future motions. No responses to motions are due until
two weeks before the hearing date, which will be set by the Court
in due course. On this date, the Court issued an
Order granting
relief to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation from the preservation of
evidence obligations in Pretrial Order # 1 (Rec. Doc. 650). Also on this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 14, which
governs the treatment of privileged and work product materials. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 13, which outlines procedures for
protecting confidential material during the discovery process. Also on this date, the Court issued an
Order
introducing the
Plaintiff Profile
Form pursuant to Pretrial Order # 11. The deadline for
completion of the form is November 22, 2010 (Rec. Doc. 642). On this date, the Court issued an
Order
ordering Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. to provide cementing
components to the Joint Investigation Team and ordering that no
destructive testing on the cementing components be conducted (Rec.
Doc. 617). On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 12, which outlines the procedure for
filing documents in MDL 2179 and the process for registering with
LexisNexis File & Serve. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
denying Abdon Callais Offshore’s Motion to Compel Arbitration and
Stay Litigation (Rec. Doc. 114). On this date, the Court received a
Letter from Don K.
Haycraft regarding BP’s position on presentment of claims to the
Gulf Coast Claims Facility. On this date, the Court received a
Letter from Kenneth R.
Feinberg regarding the Gulf Coast Claims Facility’s intent to
comply with the provisions of Pretrial Order #1. On this date, BP filed a
Statement with the Court regarding its position on the
applicability of limit of liability under the Oil Pollution Act of
1990. Also on this date, the Court also issued Pretrial
Order # 11 (Case Management Order #1), which establishes
important dates and deadlines. Additionally, the Court issued
Pretrial Order # 10, which appoints the members of the
Defense Steering Committee and the Defense Liaison Counsel. On this date, the Court held a
Pretrial Conference
in which matters pertaining to proposed Case Management Order #1
were discussed. The Court scheduled the next pretrial conference
for Friday, November 19, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda
for the October 15, 2010 pretrial conference. A teleconference call line has been set up for the October 15,
2010 pretrial conference. Starting at 9:15 a.m. central time on
October 15, 2010, parties who wish to attend the conference via
telephone shall dial 1-800-230-1096. Participants will not be
required to enter an access code. Please be advised that the teleconference is "listen only."
Therefore, teleconference participants will not be able to speak
during the conference. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #8, which appoints the members of the
Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and the Plaintiff Executive
Committee, and Pretrial Order #9,
which establishes standards and procedures to be utilized by
plaintiffs’ counsel seeking fees and/or expense reimbursement. On this date, the Court issued an
Order
appointing Francis E. McGovern, Professor of Law, Duke University
School of Law, as special master in this matter. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
which denied the State of Louisiana’s Motion to Remand, 10-1156
(Rec. Doc. 304). The Court also issued an
Order
denying the following motions to remand filed by the State of
Louisiana: 10-1757 (Rec. Doc. 9); 10-1758 (Rec. Doc. 7); 10-1156
(Rec. Doc. 309); 10-2179 (Rec. Doc. 65). Lastly, the Court issued an
Order
continuing the Limitation Trial in this matter from its tentative
start date of October/November 2011 to Monday, February 27, 2012
at 8:30 a.m. On this date, the Court issued an
Order,
which extended the deadline for the filing of proposed Case
Management Order No. 1 to October, 6, 2010. The Court also issued an
Order setting
the hearing date for Defendants’ Motion to Continue Trial for
October 5, 2010, without oral argument. On this date, the Court held a
Status Conference,
in which matters pertaining to proposed Case Management Order No.
1 were discussed. On this date, the Court issued a
Notice stating its intent to
appoint Francis E. McGovern, Professor of Law, Duke University
School of Law, as special master in this matter. Any objection to
this appointment shall be filed by Friday, October 1, 2010. The Court also issued an
Order, which denied Plaintiffs’ Motion to Reconsider (Rec.
Doc. 44) and canceled oral argument on other pending motions. On this date, the Court held its
Initial Pretrial
Conference. At the conference, important dates and
deadlines were established. The Court also scheduled the next
pretrial conference for October 15, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. On this date, the Court issued a
Tentative Agenda
for the initial pretrial conference. A teleconference call line has been set up for the initial
pretrial conference. Starting at 2:00 p.m. central time on
September 16, 2010, parties who wish to attend the conference via
telephone shall dial 1-866-233-3852. Participants will not be
required to enter an access code. Please be advised that the teleconference is "listen only."
Therefore, teleconference participants will not be able to speak
during the conference. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #7, which canceled oral argument on certain
pending motions. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #6, which appoints James P. Roy & Stephen
J. Herman as Plaintiffs’ Co-Liaison Counsel. On this date, the Court issued an
Order, which amends
Paragraph 14 of Pretrial Order #1, establishing protocol for the
removal, transportation, and immediate storage of the Deepwater
Horizon’s BOP; the Order further mandates that counsel shall meet
and confer regarding longer-term preservation and storage protocol
order(s). On this date, the Court issued a
Consolidation Order,
mandating that the limitation action filed by managing owners and
operators of the MODU Deepwater Horizon be consolidated with
MDL-2179 and that all answers and claims in the limitation action
are to be filed in member case 10-2771. On this date, the Court held a telephone
Status Conference,
during which liaison counsel discussed the protocol for removal
and preservation of the drill string and the blowout preventer. On this date, the Court also issued a
Second Amendment to Pretrial
Order #1, which amends Paragraph 14, changing the protocol
for recovery and preservation of physical evidence related to the
drill pipe that is the subject of a fishing operation.
On this date, the Court issued an
Amendment to Pretrial Order
#3, which changes the date of the motion hearings, with
oral argument, from Friday, September 17, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. to
Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #5, which discusses this Court’s procedure
for handling motions filed in cases prior to those cases being
transferred to the MDL. On this date, the Court also issued an
Amendment to Pretrial Order
#1, which changes the date of the initial pretrial
conference from Friday, September 17, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. to
Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. On this date, the Court issued
Pretrial Order #4, which designates additional interim
liaison counsel for defendants. On this date, the Court also issued
Pretrial Order #3, which
suspended the deadline for requesting class certification. The
order also reset the hearing dates for various motions. Those
motions will be heard, with oral argument at the initial pretrial
conference. On this date, the Court also issued
Pretrial Order #2, which outlines procedures for
transferring cases to MDL 2179. Pursuant to Pretrial Order #1,
the pretrial conference will be held on Friday, September 17, 2010
at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of Judge Carl J. Barbier. |
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