Andrews, et al. v. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., et al.
Plains Oil Spill Settlement
2:15-cv-04113-PSG-JEM (C.D. Cal.)

Welcome to the Plains Oil Spill Settlement Website

Important Update: The Settlement received Final Approval from the Court on September 20, 2022 and is now effective. You may review the Order Granting Final Approval of Proposed Settlement here. You may review a press release regarding the Final Approval here.

The Claim Form deadline passed on October 31, 2022

 

  • A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit involving a coastal oil spill in 2015, near Santa Barbara.
     
  • Plaintiffs claim that Plains All American Pipeline L.P. and Plains Pipeline L.P. ("Defendants") caused an underground pipeline to rupture, resulting in an oil spill along the coast in Santa Barbara County on May 19, 2015 that washed up onto coastal properties and beaches. Plaintiffs also claim that the oil spill caused the residents of coastal homes to lose the use and enjoyment of their homes, and caused damage to the fishing industry.
     
  • A Fisher Class and a Property Class were previously certified by the Court. The Notices provide information regarding the $184 million Fisher Class Settlement and the $46 million Property Class Settlement. The Fisher and Property Class Settlement, if approved by the Court, will resolve all remaining claims in the class action litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
     

Fisher Class Settlement
 

  • You are a Fisher Class Member if you are a person or business who owned or worked on a vessel that was in operation as of May 19, 2015 and that: (1) landed any commercial seafood in California Department of Fish & Wildlife ("CDFW") fishing blocks 654, 655, or 656; or (2) landed any commercial seafood, except groundfish or highly migratory species (as defined by the CDFW and the Pacific Fishery Management Council), in CDFW fishing blocks 651-656, 664-670, 678-686, 701-707, 718-726, 739-746, 760-765, or 806-809; from May 19, 2010 to May 19, 2015, inclusive; or if you are a person or business in operation as of May 19, 2015 who purchased such commercial seafood directly from the Commercial Fishers and re-sold it at the retail or wholesale level.

     
  • You are no longer a Fisher Class Member if you previously excluded yourself from the Fisher Class during the initial notice period, or entered a separate settlement with Defendants for which you signed a full release.
     

Property Class Settlement
 

  • You are a Property Class Member if you owned or leased residential beachfront property or property with a private easement to a beach where oil from the 2015 Santa Barbara oil spill washed up and the oiling was categorized as heavy, moderate, or light. You can find out if your property is included by going to www.PlainsOilSpill.com, where a list of properties Plaintiffs claim were impacted is posted.
     
  • If your property was leased as of May 19, 2015 (the date of the oil spill), you are requested to forward the Notice to the leaseholder.
     
  • You are no longer a Property Class Member if you previously excluded yourself from the Property Class during the initial notice period, or entered a separate settlement with Defendants for which you signed a full release.

Your Legal Rights and Options

ACTION EXPLANATION DUE DATE
FILE A CLAIM
  • Receive a payment from the Settlement
  • Be bound by the Settlement
Submit online or postmarked by October 31, 2022 (Passed)
OBJECT
  • Tell the Court what you do not like about the Settlement
  • You and any lawyer(s) representing, advising, or in any way assisting you in connection with your objection must appear and speak at the Final Approval Hearing
  • You will still be bound by the Settlement, and you may still file a claim
Served/filed no later than August 19, 2022 (Passed)
DO NOTHING
  • Receive no payment from the Settlement
  • Be bound by the Settlement
 

For More Information

Visit this website often to get the most up-to-date information.

Mail
Plains Oil Spill Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91450
Seattle, WA 98111