BP Oil Spill BLOG POST
Who’s Who in the BP Oil Spill Cases
The following is a background on some of the major players you are hearing about in the BP Oil trial, settlement and claims investigations:
Judge Carl Barbier
A Louisiana native, Judge Carl Barbier is a U.S. federal court judge appointed by President Clinton in 1998, who serves on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Judge Barbier was appointed in 2010 to hear the BP Oil Spill cases — estimates are that more than 300 cases regarding the Deepwater Horizon Disaster are being consolidated in the Barbier court.
Kenneth Feinberg
Kenneth Feinberg is an attorney who developed a unique specialty practice — determining who gets what in the distribution of payouts to disaster victims and their families. Feinberg has handled distributions of funds to victims and families affected by the following:
- 1994-1997 – Agent Orange (Vietnam veterans)
- 2001 – September 11 attacks
- 2007 – Virginia Tech Massacre
- 2010 – Deepwater Horizon Disaster
- 2012 – Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal at Penn State University
- 2012 – Aurora, Colorado movie theatre shooting
- 2013 – Boston Marathon Bomb Victims
Feinberg was removed as Special Master of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, a $20 billion fund that was established by BP after the Oil Spill to settle claims against the company. Feinberg and the GCCF were replaced by the court after complaints were made that the GCCF process was too slow, the paperwork burdensome and that people were encouraged to take quick and low payments in exchange for promises not to sue. Feinberg has published two books on distributions to victims and their families, the latest entitled Who Gets What: Fair Compensation after Tragedy and Financial Upheaval.
Patrick Juneau
A highly experienced attorney and mediator, Patrick A. Juneau has served as Special Master of numerous claims programs. Juneau was appointed by a federal court in New Orleans to replace Kenneth Feinberg as administrator of the BP economic settlement funds — Juneau supervised the transitional process and is now in charge of the court-supervised claims program, which promises greater benefits than the payouts made under the GCCF.
Louis Freeh
There is no shortage of individuals attempting to take advantage of the claims process and some lawyers are no exception. This past July, Judge Barbier appointed former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh to investigate claims of possible misconduct among staff of the Court Supervised Settlement Program, including rumors that a high-ranking staff attorney took portions of settlement funds from clients he referred to the office before he began working there. During and following his tenure at the FBI, Freeh served as the following (among others):
- Lead prosecutor in the “Pizza Connection” investigation
- Head investigator of the Jerry Sandusky Penn State sex abuse scandal
- Trustee for the MF Global bankruptcy case
The lawyers at the Downs Law Group are dedicated to keeping you informed about all aspects of the BP Oil Settlements and trial, and are happy to assist with your personal injury claim.
