La. Court Affirms Damages for 14 Oil Workers Who Sued Over Toxins

LAKE CHARLES, La. - A Louisiana appellate court has affirmed compensatory and punitive damages for oil workers who claimed exposure to toxins from wastewater and oil flooding, rejecting CITGO Petroleum Corp.'s appeal of punitive damages and allocation decisions. Arabie, et al. v. CITGO Petroleum Corp., et al., No. 10-244 (La. Ct. App., 3rd Cir.).

The Third Circuit Court of Appeal concluded that there was sufficient basis for awarding $30,000 in punitive damages to each of 14 workers at a construction site downriver from the release and for the court's decision to assess 100 percent of the damages to CITGO.

Craig …