By KRISTEN HAYS
Settlement talks to resolve an injury lawsuit stemming from a deadly explosion at BP's Texas City refinery are ongoing, but it was unclear how or if a resolution would affect the court-ordered deposition of John Browne, outgoing CEO of the London-based oil giant.
Plaintiffs' lawyer Brent Coon said in a prepared statement Thursday that negotiations about a settlement and details of Browne's deposition — scheduled for today in London — were continuing, but "at this point, nothing has been finalized."
Neither he nor BP would say whether Browne's deposition had been delayed or canceled.
"Our comment is we have no comment on it, other than we are working very hard to settle any case. We've been doing that since the incident," BP spokesman Neil Chapman said.
State District Judge Susan Criss, who ordered the deposition, said Thursday she had heard nothing from any attorneys regarding a possible delay or cancelation. The lawsuit, one of hundreds pending, is scheduled to go to trial in Criss' court in Galveston on Monday, beginning with jury selection. The case involves injury claims by two workers who were among the scores hurt in the March 2005 blast that killed 15 people.
In October, Criss ordered Browne to give a deposition for blast-related litigation. BP appealed, but lawyers on both sides said at a hearing earlier this week that the deposition would take place today in London unless the Texas Supreme Court blocks it. Exxon Mobil Corp. and several Texas oil and gas trade groups this week filed a brief in support of BP's opposition to Browne giving such sworn testimony.
That brief said the possibility that top executives who serve as the face of their companies could be forced to give depositions "would chill corporate speech," particularly offers of sympathy and reassurance after accidents. Browne, 59, is slated to step down as CEO in July.
Settlement talks to resolve an injury lawsuit stemming from a deadly explosion at BP's Texas City refinery are ongoing, but it was unclear how or if a resolution would affect the court-ordered deposition of John Browne, outgoing CEO of the London-based oil giant.
Plaintiffs' lawyer Brent Coon said in a prepared statement Thursday that negotiations about a settlement and details of Browne's deposition — scheduled for today in London — were continuing, but "at this point, nothing has been finalized."
Neither he nor BP would say whether Browne's deposition had been delayed or canceled.
"Our comment is we have no comment on it, other than we are working very hard to settle any case. We've been doing that since the incident," BP spokesman Neil Chapman said.
State District Judge Susan Criss, who ordered the deposition, said Thursday she had heard nothing from any attorneys regarding a possible delay or cancelation. The lawsuit, one of hundreds pending, is scheduled to go to trial in Criss' court in Galveston on Monday, beginning with jury selection. The case involves injury claims by two workers who were among the scores hurt in the March 2005 blast that killed 15 people.
In October, Criss ordered Browne to give a deposition for blast-related litigation. BP appealed, but lawyers on both sides said at a hearing earlier this week that the deposition would take place today in London unless the Texas Supreme Court blocks it. Exxon Mobil Corp. and several Texas oil and gas trade groups this week filed a brief in support of BP's opposition to Browne giving such sworn testimony.
That brief said the possibility that top executives who serve as the face of their companies could be forced to give depositions "would chill corporate speech," particularly offers of sympathy and reassurance after accidents. Browne, 59, is slated to step down as CEO in July.
No comments:
Post a Comment