Alabama Court Denies Motions to Stay BP Spill Cases

MOBILE, Ala. - An Alabama federal district court has denied defense motions to stay proceedings in BP spill cases pending a decision on the creation of a coordinated MDL case, saying it would benefit the parties and the courts to require defendants to answer the complaints. Burke, et al. v. BP Corporation North America, et al., No. 10-0195-WS-M (S.D. Ala.).

Chief Judge William H. Steele of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama entered identical orders in approximately 10 Deepwater Horizon spill cases on May 25.

Judge Steele said in each order denying a motion for stay …