Walker v. BP Exploration & Production, Inc. et al

Filing 57

ORDER AND REASONS: IT IS ORDERED that the 45 motion in limine is GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the 47 spoliation motion is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the 44 motion for summary judgment is GRANTED. Signed by Judge Susie Morgan on 5/25/2023. (pp)

Case 2:17-cv-04272-SM-KWR Document 57 Filed 05/25/23 Page 1 of 2

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
CYNTHIA WALKER,
Plaintiff

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

NO. 17-4272

BP EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION
INC., ET AL.,
Defendants

SECTION: “E” (4)

ORDER AND REASONS
Before the Court is a motion in limine to exclude the opinions of Cynthia Walker’s
(“Plaintiff”) general causation expert, Dr. Jerald Cook (“Cook”), filed by BP Exploration
& Production, BP America Production Company, and BP p.l.c. (collectively
“Defendants”).1 Also before the Court is the Defendants’ motion for summary judgment.2
Plaintiff has filed oppositions to both motions, and Defendants have filed replies. Plaintiff
separately filed a spoliation motion,3 which Defendants oppose. The Court is prepared to
rule on pending motions herein.
Defendant’s motion in limine and motion for summary judgment are nearly
identical to the ones filed by Defendants, and granted by this Court, in other B3 cases.4
Likewise, Plaintiff’s spoliation motion is nearly identical to the ones filed by other B3
Plaintiffs, and denied by this Court, in other B3 cases.5

R. Doc. 45. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Deepwater, Inc., and
Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling, Inc., additional Defendants, join in the motion in limine.
2 R. Doc. 44. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Deepwater, Inc., and
Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling, Inc., additional Defendants, join in the motion for summary
judgment.
3 R. Doc. 47.
4 See Bruton v. BP Exploration & Production, Inc., et al., Civ. A. 17-3110 at R. Doc. 107 (E.D. La.
11/30/2022) (Morgan, J.); Harrison v. BP Exploration & Production, Inc, et al., Civ. A. 17-4346 at R. Doc.
85 (7/1/2022) (Morgan, J.).
5 Bruton, Civ. A. 17-3110 at R. Doc. 107.
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Case 2:17-cv-04272-SM-KWR Document 57 Filed 05/25/23 Page 2 of 2

Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the Orders & Reasons issued in the cited B3
cases;
IT IS ORDERED that the motion in limine is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the spoliation motion is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motion for summary judgment is
GRANTED. Judgment is granted in favor of Defendants BP Exploration & Production,
BP America Production Company, BP p.l.c., Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.,
Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Deepwater, Inc., and Transocean Offshore
Deepwater Drilling, Inc., and against Plaintiff on all claims.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this 25th day of May, 2023.
________________________________
SUSIE MORGAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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