Judge Ozerden Stays Gulf Oil Spill Cases Pending Decision by MDL Panel
As expected, Southern District Judge Sul Ozerden has begun staying the Gulf Oil Spill cases pending a decision on whether an MDL will be created in the litigation. Here is one of Judge Ozerden's orders.
I am not aware of any of the defendants filing a substantive response to the complaints before entry of the stay orders. Therefore, it will be a while before the emergence of the defendants' strategy for blaming the oil spill on other defendants through cross-claims.
Judge Ozerden is the judge in most—but not all—of the cases filed in Mississippi. But all the cases are likely to be stayed regardless of the judge.
Everyone agrees that there will be an MDL action. Speculation continues to center on where the MDL will be located. I am not sure when the MDL panel meets next. I have heard July, but I have not verified that report.
