[StBernard] Meraux Class Action Ruling

[Westley Annis]

 There are a few questions that we wish the experts/knowlegeable to answer
please:

1. If one opts out/settles before the June deadline, will there be some type
of cleanup or guarantee that whoever gets the property won't have to worry
about reprisal/suit filed by future owners against the present homeowner?

2. There are some who believe that the value of the lawsuit might be in the
best interest of those who stay in the lawsuit and receive considerable more
money and thus the 12% to be extracted would be a better choice? Comments?

3. Regardless of how one chooses, what bering does owning the home have
after a legal settlement (after effects economically/future issues, etc.)

4. If Murphy IS setting presently to those not inititially in their original
zoned area, are the homeowners in the expandedly-zoned area getting
considerably less than those in the original? If so, what's the "going rate"
that they're offering? Any counter offers accepted? Suggestions for dealing
with Murphy for one's rights?

Thanks.

Jer.

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Editor's note: These comments are official comments from Murphy in response
to questions I sent them.

-----Original Message-----

1)  Does this effect everyone who opts out or is it limited only to those
who are outside of the map as defined by Murphy/EPA back in October/November
but inside of Judge Fallon's map?

There are two different court orders on set-asides.

The first order is to withhold 12% from any party that settles that is
attorney represented and is compensating their attorney. Being represented
by an unpaid attorney would not result in a withholding. This 12% would be
withheld irrespective of the location of the property.

The second order is to withhold 7% from any party that we settle with that
resides outside of the original CTEH affected area map that Murphy began
using in late October.  This would include anyone in the EPA expansion area
(beyond the CTEH area).  It would also include those that are outside the
current CTEH/EPA area who test positive for Murphy crude that we have always
been willing to settle with.  The order is prospective and will not be
applied to those who settled prior to Judge Fallon's two orders.

2)  What is the percentage for people who opt out without representation and
the percentage for those with representation?  

Those who are represented by paid counsel will all have the 12% withheld -
regardless of location.  Those outside the CTEH area that are not
represented by paid counsel will have the 7% withheld.