April 20, 2011 Deadline to File In Oil Spill Court Case

Oil Spill Claims
Important April 20, 2011 Deadline

Many local residents are familiar with BP claims being presented to the Gulf Coast Claim Facility ("GCCF"). Some individuals and businesses are having claims paid to their satisfaction. Others have had their claims denied or received smaller amounts than claimed. Most claimants have not received final settlements and signed releases. Most of those making claims with the GCCF do not have pending litigation.

Hundreds of Gulf Coast businesses have filed legal actions and are getting closer to having their day in court. The New Orleans federal court overseeing these lawsuits has set a trial for February 22, 2012 to determine the responsibility of BP, Transocean, Halliburton and others for the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that resulted in one of the largest oils spills in history.

The court has also set a deadline of April 20, 2011 for those with damage claims to file their claims and answers with the court to prevent the loss of certain rights they currently have to recover their losses.

Those who have not filed lawsuits and are making their claims with the GCCF need to protect their rights in the event they cannot settle their claims satisfactorily. In order to preserve all of their litigation rights, claimants must file a simple form with the New Orleans federal court by April 20, 2011. There is no court fee to file the claim and the claim form can be filed without using a lawyer. This filing will not affect your ability to continue to pursue your GCCF claim. Having filed a claim with the GCCF does not meet the court filing requirement.

A legal notice that describes this filing deadline is published below.

Local attorneys Terry Tataru (352-543-6090) and John Cook (352-493-9797) are available to answer questions regarding the litigation and the upcoming deadline.

Submitted by local attorneys
Terry Tataru and
John Cook
in response to the following legal notice.

Legal Notice

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Lawsuit
To Protect Your Right to Recover Money
Damages Against Transocean,

The Filing Deadline is April 20, 2011

A New Orleans federal court is overseeing litigation against companies involved in the oil spill and has approved the content of this notice. A trial will be held in February 2012. The trial will decide whether Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig, can limit what it pays claimants under Maritime law. To preserve your ability to recover money damages against Transocean and include your claim in this trial, the Court filing deadline is April 20, 2011.

If you had a personal injury, loss of earnings, property damage, business loss, or other economic loss from the oil spill, you may be able to participate.

File a Simple Form to Preserve Your Rights

In order to preserve your right to recover against Transocean you need to file an answer and claim by April 20, 2011. The Court has simplified the process to file your claim against Transocean. The Court has approved a Direct Filing Short Form. You can get the Short Form by calling 1-877-497-5926 or visiting the websites listed below. Filing the Short Form may also join you in the master lawsuit that has been filed against BP and the other defendants. You are not required to use the Short Form. The deadline for claims against Transocean whether you use the Short Form or not is April 20, 2011.

There is No Filing Fee

There is no filing fee and a lawyer is not required to file the Short Form. However, if you would like advice regarding your legal rights or about filing this Short Form, you should contact a lawyer.

Filing with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility ("GCCF") is Not the Same as Filing in Court

The federal lawsuit is separate from the claims process in the GCCF. You may be able to participate in the federal lawsuit even if you already filed a claim with the GCCF. There may be other requirements you have to fulfill to proceed with a lawsuit against BP and the other defendants.

If you have questions you should consult a lawyer. For more information, or to obtain a copy of the Short Form, visit http://www.OilSpillCourtCase.com or call 1-877-497-5926.

Get More Information:
1-877-497-5926
http://www.OilSpillCourtCase.com
http://laed.uscourts.gov/OilSpill/Forms/Forms.htm