Oil giant BP has asked for a stay on three class action lawsuits filed by Grand Strand area tourism businesses.
The suits filed June 6th by attorneys Ed Bell and Tommy Brittain claim the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has adversely affected business and tourism along the South Carolina coast.
They say based on news reports of the oil possibly coming ashore, property values along the South Carolina coast have started to decline and other tourism-related businesses have started to suffer revenue loss..
BP filed a request in US District court Thursday, asking the court to delay the suit until all of the 200 or so suits arising from the oil spill can be consolidated and brought before one multi-district court.
BP's motion says more than 200 cases have been filed in various state and federal courts since the spill happened April 20th.
A hearing will be held on BP's request in Boise, Idaho on July 29th.
