Hicks v. BP Exploration & Prod., Inc.

LANCE M. AFRICK, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

The question is, what substantive law governs plaintiffs' case? BP Exploration and Production Inc. ("BP Exploration"), BP America Production Company ("BP America") (collectively, "the BP defendants"), and Bishop Lifting Products, Inc. ("Bishop") argue that Louisiana law applies to this negligence action, at least as to plaintiffs' tort claims against them.1 Plaintiffs counter that general maritime law, not Louisiana law, applies.

Before the Court are three motions2 for summary judgment on this narrow, yet significant, issue.

I

The MAD DOG is an oil…