Cotton Bayou Marina, Inc. v. BP, PLC et al

Filing 50

MOTION to Dismiss by Cameron International Corporation. (Frazer, Albert)

Cotton Bayou Marina, Inc. v. BP, PLC et al

Doc. 50

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA SOUTHERN DISTRICT COTTON BAYOU MARINA, INC., d/b/a Tacky Jack's Restaurant; indicidually and on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, Plaintiff, v. BP, PLC, et al., Defendants. * * * * * * * * * * * *

CV-10-00243-WS-C

MOTION OF DEFENDANT CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq. ("OPA"), Defendant Cameron International Corporation ("Cameron") moves for an order dismissing the Class Action Complaint in this case (hereinafter the "Complaint") for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted against Cameron, for two independent reasons. See Compl.; [Doc. 1] First, the claims asserted against Cameron in the Complaint should be dismissed without prejudice because they are not permitted by the comprehensive and exclusive claims payment system established by the OPA. Second, the claims asserted against Cameron in the Complaint should be dismissed with prejudice because the allegations of the Complaint fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted against Cameron under the pleading requirements established by the Supreme Court in Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombley, 550 U.S. 544 (2007) and Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937 (2009).

Dockets.Justia.com

The grounds for this motion are set out in detail in the accompanying supporting brief. WHEREFORE, Defendant Cameron International Corporation respectfully prays for an order dismissing the Complaint in this action. Respectfully submitted,

David J. Beck (Pro Hac Vice) BECK, REDDEN & SECREST, L.L.P. One Houston Center 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4500 Houston, Texas 77010 Telephone: [phone] Facsimile: [phone] [e-mail]

Randal H. Sellers (SELLR3398) M. Warren Butler (BUTLM3190) Bryan G. Hale (HALEB6964) STARNES DAVIS FLORIE LLP 100 Brookwood Place, 7th Floor Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Telephone: [phone] Facsimile: [phone] [e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]

/s/ A. Danner Frazer, Jr. A. Danner Frazer, Jr. (FRAZA9809) Ross A. Frazer (FRAZR7422) Robert J. Mullican (MULLR1788) FRAZER, GREENE, UPCHURCH & BAKER, L.L.C. 107 Saint Francis Street, Suite 2206 Mobile, Alabama 36602 Telephone: [phone] Facsimile: [phone] [e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail] Attorneys for Cameron International Corporation

2

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I have on July 6, 2010 electronically filed the foregoing pleading with the Clerk of Court using the CM/ECF System which will automatically serve the same via electronic mail or by placing same in the United States mail, properly addressed, first class postage prepaid to the following: Anna Brantly Fry, Esquire Christopher D. Boutwell, Esquire David B Byrne, III, Esquire Jere L. Beasley, Esquire John Everett Tomlinson, Esquire Joseph Parker Miller, Esquire Rhon E. Jones, Esquire BEASLEY, ALLEN, CROW, METHVIN, PORTIS & MILES, P.C. Post Office Box 4160 Montgomery, Alabama 36103-4160 Attorneys for Plaintiff William H. Brooks, Esquire Marchello Dewaun Gray, Esquire LIGHTFOOT, FRANKLIN & WHITE, L.L.C. 400 North 20th Street Birmingham, Alabama 35203 Attorneys for BP Products North America, Inc.and BP America, Inc. Donald E. Godwin, Esquire Bruce W. Bowman, Jr., Esquire Floyd R. Hartley, Jr., Esquire Gavin Eugene Hill, Esquire Jenny L. Martinez, Esquire 1201 Elm Street, Suite 1700 Dallas, Texas 75270 John N. Leach, Jr., Esquire Joseph H. Babington, Esquire Russell C. Buffkin, Esquire HELMSING, LEACH, HERLONG, NEWMAN & ROUSE. P.C. Post Office Box 2767 Mobile, Alabama 36652 Robert Alan York, Esquire 1331 Lamar, Suite 1665 4 Houston Center Houston, Texas 77010 Attorneys for Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. s/ A. Danner Frazer, Jr. Of Counsel

3