U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dismisses Challenges of Halliburton Subsidiaries' Settlement

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A federal bankruptcy judge has dismissed claims by more than 20 insurance companies in the asbestos settlement cases of certain Halliburton subsidiaries, saying that the insurers had no standing to challenge certain aspects of the settlement. In re Mid-Valley, Inc., et al. No. 03-35592-JKF. (D. Bankr. W. Pa.)

In her Feb. 11 ruling, Chief Judge Judith Fitzgerald ruled that because Halliburton's subsidiaries would be making direct payments to the victims, the insurance companies had no authority to challenge the settlements, currently and for the future. The judge also denied a request to remove Professor Eric D. Green …