Louisiana Rig Worker Settles with BP Over Explosion

A Louisiana woman who was a cook on the BP PLC-leased drilling rig that was rocked by a deadly explosion in 2010 has settled her personal-injury claims against the oil giant and other companies involved in the disaster.

Oleander Benton’s attorney, Anthony Buzbee, said her claims were resolved through the $20 billion compensation fund that BP established after the deadly rig explosion triggered the worst offshore oil spill.

Buzbee said the blast injured the 53-year-old woman’s neck, back and shoulder.

Buzbee’s firm sued on behalf of 19 rig workers. He said Benton’s claims were the last of those cases to be resolved.

Terms of Benton’s settlement weren’t disclosed, but Buzbee said the rig workers he represents have resolved their claims for a total of more than $150 million.