The United States Government will sue BP and eight other companies over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year that has been described as the worst oil spill disaster in US history.
Lawsuits will vary but include government removal costs, economic losses and environmental damages without limitation. Fines of up to $4,300 USD per barrel could be imposed if gross negligence is found which would total over $21bn USD.
BP's response so far has been "BP will answer the Government's allegations in a timely manner and will continue to cooperate with all Government investigations and inquiries. It is solely a statement of the Government's allegations and does not in any manner constitute any finding of liability or any judicial finding that the allegations have merit".
