Inferno: flames billow from BP's Texas City refinery in the wake of the explosion on 23 March 2005
Court hears of Texas City cost-cutting
An attorney for four workers injured in the deadly 2005 blast at BP’s Texas City refinery told a US jury today that the explosion was the results of the UK supermajors drive to cut costs and maximise profits as the first cases related to the incident came to court today
The explosion in March 2005 killed 15 people and injured more than 170.
Attorney Brent Coon said during opening statements in Galveston, Texas, that BP had cut back on maintenance and skimped on installing safety equipment, the Associated Press reported.
The accusations echoed findings of a major independent inquiry into the incident ordered by BP and led by former US secretary of state James Baker as well as another probe by the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
However, lawyers for BP have said that while the company not denying responsibility for the incident, the four workers were seeking more money than compensation laws allow.
The company has settled about 1350 other lawsuits filed since the explosion, including one which was settled late yesterday.
BP has refused to reveal terms of the settlements.