NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed claims by BP (BP -0.11%) fuel dealers that the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico diminished the value of the oil giant's brand and cost them business.
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier's ruling Tuesday says the dealers' claims against BP aren't viable under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, general maritime law or state law.
All claims by BP dealers are excluded from the company's proposed settlement of billions of dollars of claims by other businesses and individuals who blame the spill for economic damages.
Barbier also tossed out claims against BP by Gulf Coast homeowners who claim the spill hurt their property values even though no oil physically touched their property and they haven't sold their homes.
