"The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request by BP, Shell and Hilcorp oil companies to block the start of a state court lawsuit filed by Cameron Parish seeking as much as $7 billion in compensation for coastal erosion damages.
The Cameron lawsuit is one of more than 40 filed by Louisiana parishes against major oil companies over coastal damage. It is the first expected to go to trial.
BP America Production Company, Hilcorp Energy Company and Shell Oil Company had argued that jurors chosen from the 4,000 Cameron Parish residents eligible to serve would have "a substantial personal and financial interest in rendering a verdict for their home parish," which only has annual tax revenues of $20 million.
There was no explanation given by the Supreme Court for its decision issued Tuesday to deny the request to stay the trial and require that it be moved to another location."
Mark Schleifstein reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune November 9, 2023.
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