Description of MDL No. 2179

IN RE: OIL SPILL by the OIL RIG "DEEPWATER HORIZON"

in the GULF OF MEXICO, on APRIL 20, 2010

This multidistrict litigation consists of approximately 3000 cases pending before this Court. These actions relate to the Deepwater Horizon Explosion, which occurred on April 20, 2010, and the resulting oil spill. The Deepwater Horizon incident has led to claims for the death of 11 individuals, numerous claims for personal injury, and the release of millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, with resulting claims for environmental and economic damages.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation assigned this multidistrict proceeding to Judge Carl J. Barbier of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to coordinate discovery and other pretrial matters in the pending cases. Subsequent Oil Spill cases relating to the Deepwater Horizon filed in federal court will ordinarily be transferred to this district court to become part of MDL 2179 as "Tag Along" cases.