 Famed New Orleans chef Susan Spicer is suing BP on behalf of at least seven restaurant owners and seafood suppliers, claiming that the Gulf oil spill has damaged their businesses. “I’m proud to be part of a resilient community,” she said. “I also feel strongly that [BP] needs to be held accountable for its negligence.” Spicer is an icon in the food world. She’s been a Top Chef judge, a James Beard “Best Chef” winner and even inspired a character featured in the HBO’s series Treme, a drama about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Spicer spends her days between several of her Gulf bistros. Her acclaimed Dauphin Street restaurant, Bayona, serves grilled shrimp paired with black bean cake and oysters mixed with Italian sausage gratin with spinach. Her latest venture Mondo, a no nonsense family-style joint, began watering mouths in May with its signature fish tacos. “I have great confidence in my local vendors and the local products that I am serving,” she said. “But I know my suppliers are suffering from the reality of a diminished supply and the perception that all Gulf seafood is unsafe.” Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded April 20, is also named in the suit. The other restaurant owners and suppliers in the litigation are not named. New Orleans chef Emeril Lagasse is not one of them, according to his public relations spokesperson. There are more than 200 lawsuits pending against BP over the spill. Researchers have estimated that between 35,000 barrels (about 1.5 million gallons) and 60,000 barrels (about 2.5 million gallons) of oil are gushing into the ocean every day. As of midnight Sunday, 438,000 barrels of oil had been collected, BP said. |
  Recent Posts
 |
 |
|
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
I second that. I wrote in also this morning and have still not seen my post. They don't want to know the truth. People would rather believe lies. Susan Spicer need to worry more keeping her business open and keep the locals coming into support her restaurant. I won't be going back to her restaurants since she feels the need to not support and give all the facts about the seafood being limited.
Why on earth can't we post my comments that I wrote in this morning. What's the matter you don't want people to know the truth. Ms. Susan Spicer can get product she choices not to.
You restaurant owners along the gulf..quit complaining. The fishermen are really hurting not you. You chefs are capable of cooking other types of food. People will still eat at your restaurants because tourists will still come to the Gulf to watch the oil cleanup. I love seafood and it's a terrible shame that the fishing industry is now in terrible shape. But, I will do without during this crisis. Should I sue BP of obama because the oil spill happened and ruined my dinner.
The oyster industry isn't dead, it just moved.
The best Chesapeake Bay Oysters are grown on our family farm!
http://www.deltavilleoystercompany.com
BP is into green energy big time. They make great PV panels that I would love to put on my house. A lot of their gas stations here in Florida are topped with PV panels to help power their stations. It is sad but I am afraid that Gulf Seafood is a thing of the past. I imagine that nobody will trust seafood any more nor the restaurants that serve it. I am afraid many of them will close. Think of Red Lobster. I won't go there. Raw Oysters are (were) the best. Very sad.
oh and to Susan, She should get a resonable amount to help her,but alot of people are taking advantage as well and they too are being greedy.
Tell the families of the ones that lost their loved ones that it wasnt bp fault. tell the people who depend on fishing to keep working to feed their families that its not bp fault. tell the birds and fish and all other animals and creatures that have died and suffered.Wake up! Yes accidents do happen,thats why we take all saftey measures first so that if simething like this happens then we can say that all preventive measures possiable were taken to make us feel better and not have to point fingers. THAT WAS NOT THE CASE HERE! Large companys like this get greedy and then more greedy. Then all they see is profit numbers and money in there pockets,cutting corners to have even more money...cutting saftey to the hard working man thats making them rich. so is it bp fault? Hell yell !!!!! and people need to stop putting blame on our president.
Conservative southerners have been arguing for tort reform for a long time. At first, being a good Liberal, I was opposed to capping claims for damage. I thought that sometimes corporate negligence and medical malpractice needed the fear of litigation to rein them in. But, after reading what many Conservatives have to say about it, I have changed my mind. Their arguments now make more sense to me. We Texans have capped awards for medical malpractice. Surveys show that the cost of medical care in Texas has not gone down as a result, but that is probably another Liberal lie.
I realize now that every redneck in the South will be moving to the coast to get on the gravy train. I'm sure they will drink coffee at McDonald's so they can later say that their hands were shaking so much with stress over the oil spill that they spilled hot coffee on their laps. That way, they can sue both McDonald's for the coffee spill and BP for the oil spill. I heard somewhere – I think it was on Fox News - that many southerners are going to the beach, and pouring a can of BP oil all over themselves, and they then they fall down on the sand screaming, "The oil! The oil! It burns! It burns! Oh, the pain and suffering! Oh, the mental anguish!"
I say let's enact tort reform NOW! Cap all damage claims at $10,000. That should keep them in corn dogs and RC Cola for a month or two. After that, they can move to Arizona and pick crops.
This may sound tough, but as so many Conservatives have told me so many times, "Nobody ever said life was going to be fair."
I see a lot of lemmings in here espousing the company line.
Barthliko said it best, go for all the profits you want but when you screw someone up, you're responsible. Period.
It's all about the money, folks.
Susan Spicer is right on.
Litigation.....sitll the best way to get money you don't deserve!!!! I was thinking about buying some Gulf seafood but now I won't be able to afford it....where's my claim form? Crap happens, adapt or die.
To those of you blaming society for its oil dependence: I went 2 years without a car. Still used oil because I used the city bus system, taxis, paid for friends to give me a ride, etc. I think I spent more oil in trying to take 6 buses a day than if I had a vehicle of my own to simply drive from point A from point B.
we can send a man to the moon but cant stop this oil from gushing out..only the size of a dinner plate ..hmmmm
You are right. The best brains in the industry using the best equipment and an unlimited budget cannot cap that well. No one on earth can cap that well. I hope the relief wells work!
See http://www.theorionproject.org The issue won't be solved by the politicians. It's up to us.
YES! i put in my two cents. now lets wait and see if anybody gives a shiz.
i wonder if she'll split the cash with the restaurants near the gulf in these states: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. share the wealth. im sure they're suffering a little bit from this mess. :P
Obama is writing post dated, two party, out of state checks that his body can't cash.
There are plenty of sources still available for good seafood at good prices. She's doing this for advertisement and need for constant media attention to support her overpriced restaurant. Hopefully, she loses. I'm not going to her restaurant now. New Orleans is full of tourists and so are the restaurants. Get real.
BP should publish the campaign contributions made for the politicians, and then it will be clear who is for BP and who is for the people of Gulf States. We already know that Michele Bachmann thinks that taking $20 billion from BP is extortion by the government, by the way "God talks to her often and tells her what to do". Another Texas crooks already apologized to BP CEO.
Try substituting canned salmon. It's delicious and nutricious. If you disagree with me I'll sue the sh*t out of you.
I think it is interesting how people complain that Americans don't want to use alternative fuel sources. I would LOVE to use alternative fuel sources BUT the industry has priced it so high that it's not possible. To put solar panels on my house costs a small fortune not to mention I couldn't get approval from my HOA. Electric cars are great but my electric company is a co-op and the prices are outrageous. We do recycle and limit our use of our car as much as possible but why does it have to cost so much to be green? Americans are not the only big consumers of oil. I believe China is becoming just as big a consumer.
Your all wankers!
wank, wank
You're (contraction of you are; not your, possesive) all wankers, Mate.
Only a lad
what about the 3 American companies that had a stake in that drilling rig – why isn't everyone trying to crucify them – Oh that's right they are american companies
If anyone actually thinks BP will pay the bills, you must have your head up your behind. From the beginning BP has consistently lied about the facts. How many people actually believe what a liar is telling them, i do not , never have, never will. G, Bush was going to rebuild New Orleans, bigger and better, just another liar.
So far... they are paying the bills.
Its all about greed. Who the hell would she be suing if it was from a natural disaster....the federal govt for not notifying them soon enough. Oh wait forgot...their would be a bail out for that one. The bottom line is just greed.
All BP has to do is file for bankrupcy and walk away from this, then everyone here will be screwed.
Exactly! I think BP is doing a wonderful job at cleaning up and paying up when they could just walk alway or take an easier course. Anderson Cooper, other drama queens, and media outlets love flapping their gums about the horror of it all, but don't offer any insight into how fast recovery can be had and how hard BP and the government are working daily.
Yea I dont see them rolling up their sleves like Bobby Jindle and are doing whatever it takes to stop the insanity. Im trying to see what all i have to do to go out and assist myself, since im practically jobless, getting by on just 12 hours a week at a local cafe that may go out with the rest. PUT ME TO WORK FOLKS! Its also the red tape because of the safety courses you have to go through to be a clean-up helper as well. They want it cleaned up, but they wont hire me to do it.
True... there is a lot of bad faith going on here... BP is responsible, and should and is paying, but some of the things you see and hear are amazing (but never get reported on?) E.g. boat owners doubling their rates when hired by BP, based on the fact that BP would pay their normal rates in compensation if they do not work. I even tried to book a condo on the Gulf (to show support with my $$) and was told by the owner that "shes preferred not" to rent it out until she secured BP claim..
Chicks can't cook.
Youre putting down / insulting your own gender.
I once new a new orleans chef that drank too much and would often try to plant his chickens.
That just might work.
I strongly believe BP should pay for its mistakes and negligence, but this particular case seems more like a marketing ploy! If she is such a great chef, shouldn't she be able to change her menu (tweak it) so that it incorporates what is currently "available" in the market today? This is a tragedy, and hopefully it will be fixed, but sometimes you have to roll with the punches!
I love how CNN has an oil spill camera. Its like staring at 911 if no police or firefighters showed up. Just watching everything turn from horrible to horrific. Fun stuff.
The energy situation can be improved by taxing gas so it is 8$ a gallon. This will virtually eliminate the use of SUVs and Hummers. It will push people to use and support public transport. That tax revenue can be used to start building mass transit projects across the country. This will create jobs.
When gas is $8 a gallon you will be amazed at the technologies that will be developed by the auto makers. You will also see how many people will be willing to drive electric cars, use biofuel, etc.
But none of this will happen. Americans don't care. They'll crucify any politican who tries to do this. It's easier to get Americans to fight two foreign wars than it is to abandon their lust for motors. Americans shake their head at the Gulf spill but they won't change their lives in any way unless they're being directly affected.
So try to enjoy what we have while we have it because most people are willing to live in a war torn, polluted world as long as they can drive a big car that shows everyone how big and tough they are.
JIm
What rock have you been sleeping under?
If gas prices were 8 a gallon there wouldn't be an economy...
THINK man.
When gas gets to $8 a gallon SUV's and Hummers won't be the first to be affected. Only and idot would think that. The people who drive the "regular" new and used cars probably have less money to spend. If a person lives in the country (like the middle of the US) and needs an SUV don't need to be bashed all the time. It'll be a cold day in hell before mass transportation runs across South Dakota. Not everyone lives in or near a large city. We have under 800,000 in our whole state.
They (BP) are already being held responsible... Let's wait until this leaked is stopped and we're in just the cleaning phase of this debacle before the litigation free-for-all starts.
GEEZ-C'mon people, think...
I would be furious if I was a depending on fresh seafood for my business and an oil spill polluted the waters of where I purchased my product. This is really a sad story.
http://www.autotransportprices.com
Jessica, what you're saying is just like if a farmer is growing vegetables and sells them for a living. I come in and destroy his garden, I shouldn't have to compensate that farmer for my actions? Get real, this was a human error. Fishing is all these people know. I know because I'm from the Grand Isle area and have lived with these people all my life. It's also a domino effect. This people will not be able to by groceries, insurance, cable TV, so all other businesses will be affected.
Wait, there's oil leaking in the gulf? Since when?
Who cares.
Gulf seafood is now unsafe, it is not a perception. It is our own damn fault. I will miss it.
I like several comments on here saying sue the company (BP) until it is destroyed. Well guess what, if that happens, who is going to cleaning up the oil that washes up on a beach 5, 6 or even 10 years from now? The oil is in the Gulf, it's not going away anytime soon.
Facon, You sound like BO is going to clean up the oil. get real.
All the oil spilled to date wouldn't supply our country for 2 hours. It isn't about the oil or crude dependence, it's about corporate irresponsibility. I'm so tired of hearing about how if you drive to a protest or complain via a computer, you have no right.
Gee, I was going to take a vacation to Louisiana, but now I have to go to Europe. Perhaps I should sue BP for the additional money for the extra money spent on the flight, and the hotels. Get real. Stop being greedy Susan. Other people are hurting more than you. Let the 20 billion in compensation be doled out, and then you can bitch.
I wanted to open a clothing store untill the oil explosion happened. Now all my good shirts are covered in oil. BP owes me money for this. =(
Well, if LeBron James leaves my State of Ohio, can I sue BP to blame them for causing me to see the last chance of a winning team in my lifetime? BAM!
Corporate greed destroying the planet needs to be made an example of... I say let the flood gates of civil suits be opened and let everyone cut a piece out of BP until nothing is left. Once they go belly up maybe then that will send a message to the other corporate giants. One can hope anyway.
trust me there is plenty of residue from Corexit 9500 and what effects will that carry ask any farmer ..you bumbling idiot..
You're kidding me right??? I totally agree BP is responsible for the damage done, and paying the cost of the clean up and those who are helping. But I TOTALLY DISAGREE that a chef should sue BP because the lack of seafood. What the heck? So if cows became ill will mad-cow disease, would they sue the farmers? This has gotten way out of hand...I also don't agree that the fisherman should be compensated either. Only the families who lost their loved ones in this horrific accident and those cleaning up the mess. No one else should be awarded any money!!
But a company didn't cause the cows to get mad cow disease from their lack of safety and their continued greed. And if someone's actions took away your way of life and livelihood, why should they not be held accountable? Especially with the lack of jobs-where are we supposed to go and what are we supposed to do? Its easy for all of you to say to just move on. Move where? Do what? As far as the ones cleaning the mess-thats a joke. I have relatives that are being paid $300 a day-sitting and waiting until they are "allowed" by the government to get out there and help clean up while all of our wetlands are dying. Its a crying shame what is going on down here.
Messy example – if you got Mad Cow tommorrow you should have EVERY right to sue, 97% of our meat comes from Factory Farms, a huge business that bullies our Govt. in the same way big oil does. More than likely the food that made you sick came from a place where the animals were kept in disgusting conditions, fed antibiotics, growth hormones, and plently of other crap. We KNOW that constantly feeding animals raised for food antibiotics creates drug resistant bacteria, we KNOW feeding cows a corn diet raises the amount of e coli in their gut – a blind eye is turned because it costs money to make sure Mr. Cow isn't standing in his own waste and eating an unnatural diet which would make him sick and die if he wasn't on drugs. Total disrespect for the lives of the animals, the farmers, and ultimately you and I...
What's Susan Spicer's problem? Having her seafood shipped to her already partially pre-cooked and soaked in oil will save Susan and her restaurant time AND money. She'll be able to serve more food and faster. This will trickle down to her being able to hire more employees and expand the restaurant. She should be THANKING BP.
Themarsist,
That is a great point. It's what I have been thinking all along. I don't understand what everyone is whining about. For example, most of the oysters are used in PoBoys and hence fried in OIL. They are delicious. Stop complaining everyone just eat more fried food!
She could call em BPo'Boys! Its a win win situation!
"As of midnight Sunday, 438,000 barrels of oil had been collected, BP said." Says who? And we're to believe this? After all the previous lies?
Uhm, there's a video surveillance and a gallons ticker right here on CNN. Check it out.
Must be an easy life you have.... never having to question things because you can always count on people to tell you the things you need to know.... Thank God for the Cable News Network!! How convenient for you....
Danny, was that remark directed at me? Exactly why? Because I was pointing out something that might be interesting? Completely uncalled for, especially since I was not responding to you. You're an ass, you troll.
Ok... I live in New Orleans and thats a bunch of crap. Its getting slow because the heat is increasing. The last busy time we'll have here for at least 3 months is going to be for Essence Festival July 1-8, then it will die almost completely for months. In October, it will pick up again, specially around Halloween. It always starts to get slow by June and then dies off after Essence. It has nothing to do with BP.
Wow, Melissa, do you have your stuck Lake Pontchartrain or something? How is it going to come back when there are no fish, shrimp, crab, or oysters alive in the gulf? Think the businesses can survive not being able to fish the gulf? Think those guys down on the corner that sell fresh gulf shrimp and oysters are going to have a business anymore? Wake up, you moron. Think the nearby beaches are going to be a lot of fun to visit when they're covered in tar? You may live in NOLA, but you have no clue.
There ARE other areas to get fish you know.
As for the beaches, you ever been to a beach in New Orleans during the heat of the summer? Unless you want to die of a heat stroke, you really need to be smarter than that. Even the people that have lived here their whole lives avoid the beaches during the summer. Its called "being intelligent".
I'm not the moron, honey. Yes, it effects jobs (as in, the fisherman) and animals that live here. I won't deny that. But I'm getting sick to death of the doomsday crap that some people want us to believe here. The city has NOT ground to a halt because of the oil no matter how much some people want us to believe it has.
How do I know this? I work the hotel industry, thats how. I know exactly how busy we are and how busy we have been in the past. This slow down is at comparable levels to the last four years.
Its an attempt to get money because the people in this state are poor and Americans LOVE to sue for money every chance they get because greed is king in this country. Its only been a few months since the spill began, not even that long. This time next year, you can bitch and moan about how much things suck. But THIS year, THIS soon, its an attempt at greed and nothing more.
Incidentally, all they will do is import the fish from other areas. The price for the fish dishes will go up because of it, they will change their menus temporarily, or they will go out of business. Thats the way things work.
Grow a brain and stop trying to scare people away from this city. We NEED the tourism to continue to come to this city in order for it to function, fear mongering to get money is only going to make things worse.
I most certainly have been in NO and on the beaches when it's hot. I'm there all the time. I still love it there, and I love the city. It's my second home. You are failing to get my point, and that is that this IS NOT going to go away when the heat of the summer is over, it is going to be around for a very, very long time. It's not about the humidity in July, it's about globs of oil washing up around an area that is still recovering from a hurricane 5 years ago. I'm not trying to scare away tourism, I'm simply stating a fact. That's what YOU don't seem to get.
Claiming that the Gulf oil spill has hopelessly damaged their businesses, possibly beyond repair.
I cannot believe that if they can send a man to the moon they can't shut off a wellhead.
This whole thing makes me sick and I hope those relief wells will be in place ahead of schedule.
Moving forward all drilling under a certain depth needs to be banned since they have demonstrated that they are unable to fix things if things go wrong at that depth.
They should also design the blowout preventers with full redundancy to ensure if one fails the other won't.
Paul
goes to show how much I know about emeril lol ..BAM
thought it was emeril..lol now he could drum up a good law firm..c
..and then you just sue those suckers! Bam!
I wanted to have a tree farm until the oil rain started falling ,destroying the precious soil.. what now ..think BP cares ?
what in the heck are you mumbling about? "oil rain"? I'm sorry, but that's a physics *FAIL*. An unpossibility. Now, it's more likely there's a bit of corexit dispersant in that rain somewhere ..but no, not oil.
Spicer is an icon in the food world. –
Never heard of her. (A legend in her own mind? )
She’s been a Top Chef judge,–
What's that??
a James Beard “Best Chef” winner –
Who's he ??
and even inspired a character featured in the HBO’s series Treme, a drama about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Never was it.
Your ignorance is showing. Just because you don't know about something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Thank you.
You need to get your head out of the hole it apparently is stuck in.
How about Google? Have you heard of that? Perhaps you should try using it.
"Susan Spicer is suing BP on behalf of at least seven restaurant owners and seafood suppliers." It's not just her doing it for herself. If she wins (although it could be held up in litigation for years) she could pave the way for other less prominent business owners, who depend on the local fishing industry to live, to be able to file suit and get better compensation. As of now BP is paying very little in comparison to what most of these businesses make monthly. It's sad and I feel for these people.
she ought to name every person in the United States that owns and operates a car including herself. Why do you people blame BP for doing something if you thought long enough about, you knew was a bad idea? If you drive a car you are part of the demand that creates the necessity for drilling like this. Where were you so called 'gulf advocates' when the drilling started? You were worried about the cost of gas and you cars, not about the ocean. Now, only after such a hideous accident do you show any concern about the state of the ocean. Let me tell you something, this is only the beginning, it will get worse unless you environmental sleepers wake up. Your cars, lifestyles and lack of care for your surroundings are killing this planet. Sure, blame BP and transocean for negligence, but think about what part you play in the whole scheme. Without the demand of oil, the drilling will stop. It is that simple.
Wrong. This didn't happen because people drive cars, this happened because the bosses at BP weren't happy with the millions of dollars in bonuses they were given and wanted more, and instead of cutting corners on their parties and private jets, they chose to cut safety measures. Personally, I'm still for off-shore drilling, at least until we can come up with a reasonable way to replace gasoline engines (that the average person can afford to buy). At least it's not buying middle east or venezuelan oil. And, unless you ride a bike or walk everywhere you go, you are a hyocrite yourself. Even if you use an all electric car or ride a subway or bus, you are pulling energy from some natural resource to get where you're going, so get off your high horse.
@rrick Actually you can blame yourself.. You can get off that computer (or iPhone) that you are using because it's a petroleum product (plastic, anyone?) and unplug your charger or simply turn off your electricity. Because chances are it is generated using at least in some part petroluem product(s). Certainly the wiring in your house, the asphalt shingles, the insulation, most if not ALL of your appliances (how exactly do you think they are energy star rated), windows, etc. Oh...and you can take off most of your clothes- definately your shoes. A barrel of crude is 42 gallons. 19.5 produce gasoline. Which means more than HALF is used for something other than to fuel car. We have no one to blame but ourselves and and our incessant need for cheaper and cheaper products. Unless you are willing to go off the grid you are as much to blame as the next person.
Sadly, by the time this lawsuit is out of court, most of the owners will have already committed suicide or will be in a serious state of depression.
Hmmmm... exactly how fast is this bandwagnon going? I too have suffered losses. I was going to open a restuarant in the Big Easy and have lots of customers. But that will not happen now due to the oil spill. I demand compensation for the customers I would have lost and the good will that I would have established. Please send me a ticket for this gravy train.
I'm sure you've got all that documented... so hop on board the bandwagon!
1909 (as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company)
1954 (as the British Petroleum Company)
1998 (merger of British Petroleum and Amoco) – Thus giving it the corporate name BP
So yeah, British Petro, or whatever is still accurate in reference to that company.
No, it's not. British Petroleum became BP in 1988 .,.then BP Amaco following the merger, then back to just BP in 2001. Really. No kidding. You got the older history right, now just keep the new stuff straight. :)
you stupid fukin idiot...what do you think BP stands for. Oh yeah nothing its just a name..'BP'. Well every non retard knows what it really stands for. Changing the company title on court papers doesnt change the FACT that BP stands for BRITISH PETROLEUM, so fuk off.
Is she too good to file a claim like the rest of the businesses to tap into the $20B escrow fund? She has to file a lawsuit and get some press?
She's filing suit not only for herself, but for the many others that are losing their businesses and may never see a dime of that $20B in escrow. It'll go other places before it gets to them. What's the problem with her trying to make sure they get their piece?
The restaurants she represents are not the only ones suffering from this. She's just like every other celebrity who loves to see their name in print, and make it seem like they are doing something noble above and beyond everyone else. Maybe she can get some tips from Madonna and Angelina...
I agree. I see 2 issues with this claim:
1. Its highly indirect. Her restaurant is suffering more due to increasing seafood prices which maybe arguable whether it is directly affected by the oil spill. If this is the case, I would like reimbursement for my stocks that have gone down arguably due to the oil spill.
2. It appears to be more of an advertising ploy for her multiple restaurants especially since her name and the restaurant's names are specifically mentioned in the article.
Emeril is not from New Orleans....He's a NYC native
Not even close. He is from Fall River, Mass.
He's a moron regardless of where he's from.
BAM! lol
"As of midnight Sunday, 438,000 barrels of oil and gas had been collected, BP said."
So the gas just magically came out of the oil?
I think not.
I believe they mean that oil and natural gas are spewing from the damaged wellhead. They're not referring to gasoline in this case. Sorry if I misread your comment.
Gas and Gasoline are not the same thing Adam
For some reason I was confused by them saying barrels of gas. I would have thought a different unit other than "barrels" in that case. My bust.
No offense, but natural gas is sometimes mixed with oil. For years it was thought a nuisance by oilmen.
yea genius at high pressures the gas dissolves into the oil. As oil comes out of the hole the pressure drops, and gas comes out of the solution. like opening a soft drink. -PetrEngr
This raises the perennial tort issue of whether "pure economic loss" is compensable.
Spicer's not alleging that the oil spill damaged anything that was already hers–the "injury" she's pointing to is that the PRICE of certain articles that she never owned has increased.
The courts have generally been loathe to award damages for "losses" of that kind (as it threatens to give rise to "unlimited liability to an unlimited class"), but you never know when they might soften that rule.
It'll be interesting to watch.
very true.
Indeed, but the way I look at it: The whales, dolphins, fish, etc. can't speak for themselves and sue, so why not the individuals that make their living from the sea. Safeguards should have been in place in the event that this very incident were to happen. Bottom line. Isn't this why we're required, BY LAW, to carry auto insurance? For the "what if" (even if you NEVER have an accident!)
The problem wasn't that the safeguards weren't in place, it was that the company tried to squeeze every penny of profit they could, so they made poor decisions on maintaining those safeguards. Typical corporate greed that ended in disaster for all concerned. Forget Tort reform for this one, I think the affected parties should be fully compensated for their losses.
Some of you people are really funny and should stop and think before you type.....Whales and dolphins not being able to sue???? Are you kidding?
Do you really think that if these restaurant owners win the suit they are gonna give any of it to "save" the dolphins and fishes and such? No. They are going to use it to support themselves and their families and keep their businesses afloat. It's not because the animals can't speak for themselves, but a purely human economical need. To suggest otherwise is just silly.
Go Susan Spicer!!!!!1
I had dinner at the James Beard House several years ago. Susan Spicer was the guest chef for the evening and prepared a Mardi Gras themed dinner. Fabulous !! A true professional, and obviously concerned for her "neighborhood".
Go to the Bayona sometime. Great little bistro.
Its not British Petroleum, its just BP. Not that it really matters, but this is a multinational. They are almost as American as they are British. Just a correction, not a political statement. Although for them, it surely was.
BP does stand for BRITISH PETROLEUM.. they need to be accountable for their neglect...
Actually, what's-his-face is right.
It's just BP. They changed their name.
does it really even matter? point is, they screwed up and they are doing a horrible job trying to fix it
does it matter what their name used to be? the biggest SINGLE investors in BP are english – investment firms that own about 1% of the shares each. but you know what single group of investors in bp is the largest? US state pension funds! they may have their roots in england but they are owned about 65% by americans!
It is BP, no longer British Petroleum, and they bought out Standard Oil and Amoco, and their publicly traded stocks are half owned in the U.S. But they should be held accountable, no matter what their name is, even if it's Exxon.
Kim, actually several Standard Oil entities were purchased by several of the giants, not just BP. BP only acquired Standard Oil of Indiana renamed Amoco and Standard Oil of Ohio. I think Exxon ended up with bulk of the various Standard companies.
You say they are "almost as American as they are British" except when it comes to paying corporate taxes, that is when they say we are an international company with our head quarters overseas.
No offense, but you know nothing about international taxation.. BP being a UK resident company pays taxes in the countries which it operates and then offsets these against it's UK taxes, effectively paying nothing in the UK. Same story, for GE, who is a US company but pays no taxes over here...
Good for her! They do need to be held accountable. I hope they prevail.
Thanks for brining us this story.
If you drive a car or use any other petroleum-based products, you may as well sue yourself. I'm not saying they're completely innocent of any negligence or wrong-doing, but they're drilling a mile down under the sea because of our thirst for oil. It's not like they just showed up with a rig one day and started drilling without the government's permission.
Actually the Horizon did not have permission from NOAA which they were supposed to. also they cut corners in their safety procedures which lead directly to this catastrophe.
Yes, JayBee, lets all blame ourselves. This is an old, warn out argument. What alternatives to fossil fuels have we been offered in the last 100 years? What R&D has BP (or any other energy giant) done to help provide, clean, sustainable energy? We can all be better conservatives in terms of goods and services bought and sold, but stating that it's our fault we lust for oil is just absurd. We thirst for energy, oil is the only attainable source. Is BP cutting you a check for your support?
You cant blame the public for being dependent on foreign oil. It's not like the public has any alternatives. We don't have mass transit available in our smaller suburbs to get to larger cities like the europeans (My german friend lives in a village of 30 people in Germany, and takes a train to school every morning). Our government won't actually support green energy. They'll just politick on it. I'm going to college next year in san francisco, and i'm leaving my vehicle at home, letting my insurance and probably my license expire, and only using mass transit to go anywhere; a giants game across town, or to come visit my girlfriend at home, 300 miles away. But most people don't have that option. Our government needs to support mass transit and green energy, then we can blame the market if we don't choose to support it.
Our thirst for oil has nothing to do with deepwater drilling in the Gulf. Those barrels of oil are a drop in the bucket of the worldwide oil supply. The "let's reduce our dependency on 'foreign oil'" (BP *is* foreign oil) argument was foisted on us by the drillers to convince us this was necessary. It wasn't. Drilling in the Gulf is strictly about higher profits for oil companies who don't have wells in the mid-east.
computers are made with oil. wooden tables are made with oil. virtually all manufactured items made in the world today require oil. Unless you are advocating a return to the stone age, then stop bleeting about using oil. The Gulf mess is about corporate greed and all of our anger should be aimed at the ivory towers of arrogance. I agree, sue BP until the company is utterly destroyed. It's the only way to hold the kings of greed to account.
alcatraz – BP was one of the oldest players int he solar panel business – involved in the industry since '73. They put billions of dollars of research money into alternative energy. Yet the simple fact of the matter is that at the end of the day they need to turn a profit to stay in business. they need to sell things that people want to buy. thats why most of their revenue comes from petroleum products. if you feel that private companies NEED to do research on clean energy do YOU support them? Do you have a 50k$ solar array on your roof or a 100k$ battery powered car in your drive way?
When the government gets involved you people say " Government stay out", when they don't get involved, you people say "Government, why aren't you doing something" It's a no win situation for them with those of you who don't know how our government actually works, whether dems or the gop is in power...
Obama didn't cause this spill like a lot of people are saying. Where are all you "Drill baby drill" people now?
That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard. They are not drilling to satisfy OUR thirst for oil. They are satisfying their thirst for PROFIT. YES sue these SOB's into oblivion, and let it be a lesson to those who think they can save a buck by avoiding proper safety inspections when so much is at risk. This disaster could have been prevented and should NEVER happen again.
Actually atraz80, BP does invest in alternative energy and is the only large oil company that does. Just throwing that one out there. Lets keep with the facts.
You miss the point completely! Of course drilling for oil is all about business/profit! No one disputes that! What you mentioned is no excuse to act with negligence. In any type of business you must act responsibly because any mistakes affect people’s lives one way or another! We live in a capitalist country if you have not noticed! If it is not oil later in our future, it will be natural gas or electricity! That would still be no excuse to go around causing accidents due to negligence – gassing people or electrocuting them.
Wow! That's a stupid answer. Yes, let’s sue ourselves. Of course they had government permission to drill for oil, but that doesn’t absolve them from doing thing right and not cutting corners. Perhaps BP should come dump a truck load of oil in your living room and then you can blame yourself.
So, if a school collapses and kills children, it's okay because we need to educate the kids? If wingsfall off planes because we can't do without rapid transportation, that's okay? Are you seriously saying that, because we need oil, it's okay for a company to kill people and ruin local economies? They aren't doing us any favors, are profiting greatly (which is just fine...provided it's not at anyone else's expense), and unless you're a Libertarian wacko and think business and markets are God and incapable of abuse, they are liable for ALL damage they cause in the course of doing their business. Period.
Jaybee – except many of us have been trying to get our cars operating on something OTHER than fossil fuels, but we keep getting told to shut up. Heck, i would even settle for car manufacturers to double gas mileage, which would go a long way towards reducing consumption, but agagin we keep being told by people like you "we need our big ol gas guzzlers". Do we need them, or just want them...and ultimately, just not care? Because I care, I want better cars, I want to stop using as much fossil fuels as possible – and I want people like you, to finally be the ones to shut up and let us lead the way.
While I agree that we as a culture allowed this horrendous disaster occur, I don't agree with the philosophy that anyone who owns a car or uses plastics is culpable for their negligence. This has occurred because of massive deregulation, by our policy makers, and because we are so dependent on oil that we fail to create a market for alternative fuel sources.
Our economy and political climate have not allowed or pressed for alternative solutions and I hope that this disaster has a silver lining that it will force us to take action when it comes to creating alternatives to our oil dependency.
If you lived in Germany like Jasongd5's friend, you would be paying over 7.00 US for gas. That's the Real Solution to get off our Gasses!!!
Are you serious? Have you not read about the countless safety precautions that this ill-run company completly ignored? Two safety valves instead of the suggested 16? It's not the end-product (which is a problem itself), but the reckless collection methods that this company decided to use. What part of "greatest enviromental disaster this country has ever seen" do you not understand? To blame it on our need for oil is pathetic man. The end does not justify the means. If I raped dead hookers to get air, would you blame it on our need for air?
Guest keep the facts straight even the current president had started chanting drill baby drill before this disaster happened. He only 180'd back to his original stance after it all happened.
JayBee, that has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Thanks for embarrassing yourself with a complete lack of any logic. Go back to your pessimistic hole and talk crap to yourself.
FANTASTIC RESPONSE... I HATE INDIVIDUALS WHO LOOK TO SLIDE THE BLAME ON OTHERS. WHILE IT DOES NOT GIVE BP FREE PASS BUT ONE MUST BE NAIVE AND MORE OR LESS STUPID TO FILE CLAIM ONLY ON BASIS THATS ITS JUST SOMEONE ELSE'S FAULT!!!!!
WAKEUP YOU INDIVIDUALS WITH IQ LEVEL LESS THAN 3 AND SMELL THE COFFEE, THIS SPILL IS RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL WHO DRIVE GAS GUZZLERS, USE OIL RELATED PRODUCTS, SUPPORT CAPITALISM AT ITS BEST.. ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES AND LIVE WITH IT.
BUNCH OF MORONS!!
I agree with the fact that we are 'thirsty for oil'... but mainly because it is a completely and utterly obvious fact. However, it is rather foolish to suggest that one may as well sue oneself if they are a consumer of oil. That is like saying you shouldn't sue an insurance company because you have insurance. The level of reliance we have on the oil industry is absurd, but that's a point to be taken in another conversation. I believe the honed-in issue is the failure of BP to prevent and resolve the oil spill and its implications; those effected are merely seeking what is rightfully owed to them in response to a global company's major blunder.
JayBee, I just spent $163,000 on a big rig with the very latest emissions and fuel economy. This was what was available to someone who is very conscious of their impact on the environment and the economy. This is one of the big rigs that delivers things like; the computer you just entered your comment from, hospital goods, supplies to Universities, that lunch you must ate, etc. and etc.. I get very TIRED of flip comments from someone who is not making their own effort.
i drive a car, but i use gasoline because we are too greedy to use alcohol, which was used in wwii. not my choice. if you drive on the wrong side of the road, you are liable for the damages you do. if you ignore safety measures you are responsible bp is responsible, they were negligent, we should all sue them.
JayBee, I think that you have a valid point. I'm certainly sure that we're all using the same (if not more during these summer months) amount of oil, but not thinking at all about how if we conserve more of what we have, we'll demand less.
South American oil companies drill 3 wells in oceanic drilling. It cost more and takes longer, but it is done to prevent disasters like this. BP could have prevented this if it had been a responsible business, and not cut corners for the sake of money. ALL oil companies should be held accountable if they are allowed to start drilling again without the right safeguards.
And also, for what it's worth, I don't think many of us would be using oil like we are presently doing if there were better alternatives. Another 50 years or less, there will be no more oil to drill.
Sure I'll quit driving my gas powered car because i have so many other options! idiot
Not sure why she has to file a lawsuite other than to seperate herself and the other resturant owners involved from the normal recognized claims process here?
This is sad for everyone concerned. It also isn't what BP wanted in any way to be sure but BP is going to have to pay up a ton and deal with the repurcusions. I just wish that there wasn't so much government messing things up in getting things done. With so many different government entities involved saying do this don't do that don't let people work more than 20 minutes per hr like OSHA does, the Fed Gov messing up what the states are doing etc. it might help some.
goverment messing things up? you do realize it took about a month for Obama to get involved and even then they haven't done much
Sweetie, the government tried to stay out of it and let the company take care of it's own mess, but it had to finally get involved. If the government wasn't involved NOTHING would have happened at all. At least now things are happening. OSHA guidlines are to protect people – and, in this case (chemicals etc. in the water), I don't think they are strict enough. This isn't "messing things up".
Im pretty sure the federal govt has been involved since day 1 – in fact, thats what they said right after this happened. As far as local govt's, im sure they are trying to do whatever they can, because they think BP and the fed Govt arent doing enough, and they are probably right. But at the same time, you cant just ask a few thousand volunteers to show up to clean up oil, without any protective gear. the OSHA 20 min rule is because you have to wear the gear, and gear + extreme heat = danger of stroke. This is not a simple mess, there's a whole lot of unknown variables going on and everyone just has to proceed with caution – so as not to make a horrible situation infnitely worse.
This message is to everyone posting on here. If you have a problem with the oil spill, go volunteer. If you have a problem with off shore drilling or oil in general, go to your congressman, mayor, senators... Sometimes when you exercise your first ammendment right, all you do is produce a lot of hot, pointless air. Get off your seat, away from your computer and go out and help.
You're making a huge assumption that everyone complaining isn't actively using what means they have to instigate change. People can scream at politicians all they want but it ultimately comes down to whether or not it suits that politician's personal agenda when the vote comes up. You can shove the horse's head into the trough, but you can't force it to drink. There's still too many people out there that don't get it; they don't see the problem with carrying on using oil to the degree that we do. These are the same people that don't see the need to recycle and refute the validity of global warming. Add to them the people that do get it but don't care because it won't affect them in their lifetime. Until those of us that WANT clean energy outweigh those of us that don't, we'll still be just banging our heads against a corporate & political concrete wall.
“But I know my suppliers are suffering from the reality of a diminished supply and the perception that all Gulf seafood is unsafe.”
-
Well unfortunately it won't be much longer before it won't just be a perception.
Sadly people like here who file suit before their claims are processed delay claim payment. For her, it may not be as big of a deal financially, but for those already on shoestring budgets, filing suit before your claim is processed is shooting yourself in the foot because once a suit is filed, claim payments are put on hold until the case is decided. These lawsuits could easily be drawn out over 10-15 years before they reach a resolution. Cases are still pending from the Exxon Valdez spill. Best bet is to wait until you're either paid or denied. Claim payments do not null and void your right to file suit against BP and/or Transocean.
Grey, you are wrong on so many levels I'm not sure where to begin. If you take money from a claims process that is your recovery. Period. No lawsuit. No "I'll get more later." Nothing. Nada. Zip. A lawsuit protects the claims process and takes as long as it takes. Most suits do not take 10 to 15 years to resolve. This is not some Dickensian "Bleak House." Chef Spicer filed suit to protect her businesses, and those of her colleagues, from the negligence which caused the drilling rig to explode. That is part of the claims process as well.
If any of these restaurants prepare their food poorly and people get sick they should be sued out of business and if any of their employees fail to use proper hygiene they should be held criminally accountable as well as the owners. Let the wild rumpus begin.
And evidentally the proper preparation of food & hygenic practices of the employees will nullify the oil contaminating the base product? On another note, someone w/ Chef Spicer's reputation does not attain that status by making people sick-she gets it from maintaining quality, SAFE, food.
The day that we are an oil-free world will be a happy one. Until then, we're stuck with this mess. I do believe BP is doing there best – and I live in South LA – hopefully our state will be whole soon.
I have designed a device to replace the leaking cap on the oil well, that will stop the leak. I have tried for two week to submit this design to the appropriate person(s). Can anyone help ?