Judge: Explosion Victims Can Voice Objections to BP Settlement
Victims of a deadly BP PLC plant explosion two years ago south of Houston will have a chance to complain about a plea agreement, a judge has ruled.
U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal says victims of the 2005 disaster that killed 15 and injured another 170 can submit additional information on the blast and its causes. Lawyers for victims claim the $50 million fine brokered by the Justice Department is too low, the Associated Press reports.
Rosenthal may use the information to decide whether to order a presentence report, which could aid her in deciding whether to accept the plea agreement.
The AP reports that the disputed amount is part of an agreement in which BP said it would pay $373 million to settle criminal and civil charges related to the explosion.
