A recent report discusses the status of lawsuits filed by residents of St. Bernard Parish against Murphy Oil Co. due to a major oil spill in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Suits against Murphy Oil get class-action status

A federal court Monday consolidated 27 lawsuits against Murphy Oil USA, creating a class action against the company, one of the largest employers in St. Bernard Parish.

The lawsuits stem from a leak at the company's site in St. Bernard Parish that was rocked by Hurricane Katrina. All told, more than 25,000 barrels of crude oil seeped from an above-ground storage tank that the storm moved off its foundation, saturating neighborhoods in Meraux with a toxic goo and creating an environmental nightmare.

The homeowners and businesspeople who sued contend that they suffered damages as a result of the 1 million gallon spill, which as of November left an estimated 1,800 homes unsafe to enter without astronaut suits. The case against the refinery, which has resumed operations, has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon.

After the spill, Murphy opened five claim offices to handle cases and embarked on a settlement program. The court restricted that program after the first of the lawsuits was filed Sept. 9.

In Monday's ruling, the plaintiffs and their lawyers identified six potential class representatives. Court papers identify them as: Phyllis N. Michon, who owns a home at 3313 Ventura Drive in Chalmette; Cherie Scott Perez, owner of Gerald's Restaurant on East Judge Perez Drive; Philip Hebert Sr., who had his primary residence at 2029 Judy Drive; Fernand Marsolan Jr., who owns two residential properties on Dauterive Drive; Robin Clark, who owns a home at 3817 Despaux Drive; and James Shoemaker, owner of residential rental property as well as his own home at 3525 Palmisano Drive.

Murphy's attorneys argued that the company's settlement program greatly reduced the number of potential class members. But in granting the class action, the court said it considered the number of impacted properties, which exceeds 1,800, and the fact that many potential plaintiffs remain displaced throughout the region.

The ruling also appoints 22 attorneys to represent the plaintiffs.

The establishment of a class action means that other people who suffered damage resulting from the oil spill may benefit from any settlement or judgment against Murphy Oil, even if they are not listed as parties in the lawsuit.

To view the online report and the court documents please click on the following links.

Suits against Murphy Oil get class-action status

US District Court - Eastern District of Louisiana Murphy Oil Class Action Litigation