Comment Re:Crossed lines (Score 1) 166
I gotta admit, that caught my eye, too.
But if they can prove it, that goes against claims by many in the state and oil industry. The oil industry would likely try to hound/silence/sue the insurance company.
Not necessarily. Industries and governments are famous for two-faced policies.
If the insurance company says that they were manmade, the government can say, "No, they weren't, but this is a civil matter and we can't interfere." And nothing will happen. Worst case, it will be tied up in courts for the next 20 years. By then, those people currently in charge will have made a ton of money and be retired somewhere outside the US.
It's kind of like the music industry claiming that a 30-second ringtone is enough the song that consumers must pay royalties while, at the same time, claiming that they weren't so they didn't have to pay the artists royalties.
And then there's a giant class-action lawsuit where the insurance and oil companies are held jointly & severally liable. Or there's a lawsuit which crosses state lines & works its way through the federal system up to the supreme court.
