Judge Rules Transocean In the Clear In Oil Spill Lawsuits

The effects of the Gulf Oil Spill are still being felt, and mounds of litigation are still flowing through the courts.  Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig, picked up one legal victory on Thursday.

FOX News Radio’s Lisa Brady has details:

The latest ruling involves the contract between well owner BP and rig owner Transocean.  A Federal judge, ruling Transocean is shielded by that contract from having to pay many pollution claims.

However, the judge says Transocean is not exempt from all pollution claims, or from punitive damage and civil penalties.

The ruling comes as settlement talks continue, with the first phase of a trial looming next month to determine liability for the nation’s worst offshore oil spill.

Lisa Brady, FOX News Radio.