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Conyers Announces Judiciary Committee Investigation into Oil Spill Liability
Hearing to Examine Potential Claims of Loss and Damages

Congressman John Conyers

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010
Contact: Jonathan Godfrey
Nicole Triplett

(Washington) — House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) today announced the House Judiciary Committee will begin an investigation into the legal liability issues surrounding the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Disaster.

BP has made clear in Congressional testimony, and in the media, that their obligation to pay damages extends only to "legitimate claims" for loss or damages caused by the spill. However, questions remain about who will determine the legitimacy of claims and how those claims will be assessed and resolved.

"There has been considerable attention to the disastrous effects of the oil spill on our shoreline aquatic life and commerce. Eleven people lost their lives in this tragedy that could have been avoided. There remains significant confusion, however, about what level of responsibility those involved in this disaster are willing to assume. I have asked the companies involved to provide documents and testify before my Committee next week to elaborate on their public statements about liability in this matter."

The correspondence and the questions posed may be accessed here.

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