Plains Oil Pipeline Spill Settlement UPDATE

A Call to Action

“130 miles of Plains-operated pipeline was used to transport crude oil from the Santa Barbara coast to inland refineries in California. In 2015, due to failed maintenance and extensive pipeline corrosion, the pipeline ruptured and spilled, devastating the fishing industry and soiling coastal properties from Santa Barbara County to Los Angeles County. Plains was found criminally liable in 2018 for the oil spill, and a civil settlement received Final Approval from the Court on September 20, 2022.

On September 20, Federal District Court Judge Philip S. Gutierrez granted final approval of a combined $230 million class action settlement arising out of Plains All American Pipeline’s 2015 Refugio Oil Spill on the Santa Barbara coast. The court’s approval clears the way for the settlement administrator to begin processing and paying claims submitted by affected fishers and property owners.

The settlement includes $184 million to a class of fishers and processors who operated in the areas impacted by the oil spill, as well as $46 million to compensate owners and lessees of property affected by the spill. These amounts, net of attorneys’ fees, costs, and administration expenses, will be distributed to class members who timely submit claims, based on a courtapproved distribution plan.”

PLEASE NOTE: The Claim Forum deadline is October 31, 2022. You may file your claim online by clicking the link below.

Watch below to see the exclusive with Attorney Robert Nelson — Partner with Lieff, Cabraser, Herman, and Berstein.