La. Fishermen Allege Negligent Maintenance of Deepwater Rig

NEW ORLEANS - A Louisiana fisherman and his statewide association have filed a class action against the owners and operators of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, saying that the continuing environmental calamity was a direct and proximate result of their gross negligence. Barisich, et al. v. BP p.l.c., et al., No. 2:10-cv-01324-CJB-SS (E.D. La.).

The 23-page complaint was filed by George Barisich and the United Commercial Fisherman's Association Inc. on May 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The case has been assigned to District Judge Carl J. Barbier, although plaintiffs have asked that the …