Slaven
Slaven v. BP America, Inc.
Opinion
lead Opinion
Kelleher, J.
ORDER PARTIALLY DECERTIFYING THE CLASS ACTION
Defendants filed a joint motion to decertify the class of plaintiffs. Plaintiffs opposed the motion. The Court considered the papers and the record in this case, and heard extended oral argument on September 27,1999. The Court now grants in part Defendants’ motion to decertify the Plaintiff class.
INTRODUCTION
On February 7, 1990, the ship American Trader carried oil loaded from the Trans-Alaska pipeline from Alaska to California. Approximately one and one-half miles off the coast of Huntington Beach, the American Trader allegedly ran over its anchor, opening a hole in the hull of the ship. At least 200,000 gallons of crude oil spilled out into the Pacific Ocean and onto nearby beaches. Within days, numerous plaintiffs filed suit against an array of parties, including oil companies, shipping companies and the Aaskan Pipeline operators. The ensuing litigation has consumed this Court’s attention ever since. 1
Shortly after plaintiffs began to file suit against these defendants, the owner of the American Trader, American Trading Transportation Company, Inc. (“ATTRANSCO”), filed a Verified Complaint for Exoneration from or Limitation…