Florida is suing BP and Halliburton for more than $5 billion for damages resulting from the oil spill three years ago.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed Tuesday she tried to work out a settlement with BP and gave them an offer, but never heard back.
She said she is astonished that the oil company did not respond to her, considering the amount of damage caused by the spill.
The state will seek $5.4 billion in lost tax revenue.
Bondi said that figure includes past, present and estimated future losses because there is still a large amount of oil on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico.
We are asking for $5.4 billion in losses to our state. That figure includes, by the way, current, past and future damages as well because we all know there is a large amount of oil still on the floor of the Gulf and they are going to be held accountable because we do not know what can happen in the future," she said. "Its astonishing to me considering the harm that BP has caused our state and our people Floridians deserve better and we are going to receive it from BP.
There is no doubt in my mind that BP must be required to compensate our state for our losses," she said. "We had hoped that BP would do the right thing and work with us and be able to work this out, yet that hasnt happened.
Bondi explained, Were open to still resolving the case but mark my words we are ready to try the case. We are more than ready to litigate this case. They caused a tremendous amount of damage to our great state and they will be held accountable.
Bondi calls the filing of the lawsuit the first step in a long process. She says the pre-trial motions will be moved to Louisiana but she expects the trial to be held in Florida.
Dave Heller is a Tallahassee freelance reporter/videographer.
