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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit against BP and other companies by three Mexican states over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal upheld a 2013 district court ruling.
The courts held that, because Mexico's federal government owns the affected property, the states — Veracruz, Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo — don't have standing to file the suit.
The opinion, dated May 1, notes that that the Mexican federal government filed a similar lawsuit, which is progressing through the court system.
The ruling said the 2010 suit sought alleged damages or future damages, including oil spill response costs and harm to sea life and shorelines.
A BP spokesman said the company was pleased with the ruling.
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