Amplify Energy Orange County oil spill $50M class action settlement

Update:

• The court granted final approval to this settlement April 24, 2023.
• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Settlements & Payouts Facebook group.

Amplify Energy agreed to pay $50 million to resolve class action lawsuit claims its Orange County pipeline failed, dumping thousands of gallons of oil into the ocean.

The settlement benefits fishermen, property owners and tourism companies affected by the 2021 pipeline oil spill off the coast of Orange County near Huntington Beach.

In October 2021, an oil spill occurred off Huntington Beach from a pipeline operated by Amplify Energy. The oil spill of 126,000 gallons of crude oil reportedly covered 5.8 miles, according to Huntington Beach officials. The spill resulted in beach closures and restrictions on off-shore fishing.

Affected Californians took legal action against Amplify Energy, arguing the company failed to properly prevent and respond to the oil spill. As a result, fishermen, property owners and tourism companies allegedly sustained financial injuries from the spill and subsequent restrictions.

The class action lawsuit also includes claims against shipping owners. According to the plaintiffs, a container ship, the MSC Danit, dragged its anchor across the pipeline eight months before the oil spill. As a result, the pipeline was allegedly weakened and eventually ruptured. Shipping companies have filed a countersuit against these allegations.

Amplify Energy agreed to a $50 million class action settlement to resolve these allegations, but has not admitted any wrongdoing. 

Under the terms of the Amplify Energy oil spill settlement, fishermen can receive payments from $37 million of the total settlement, property owners can receive payments from $9 million of the settlement and tourism companies can receive payments from around $7 million of the settlement. Exact compensation plans have not been disclosed on the settlement website.

Amplify has agreed to make changes to prevent and mitigate future oil spills. 

The company will spend at least $250,000 on “pipeline related procedures,” improve its leak detection system, increase staffing and improve training to ensure employees notify and update emergency response agencies, such as the Office of Emergency Services, in the case of future spills.

The settlement does not resolve similar allegations pending against ship owners involved in the oil spill. According to the settlement website, these claims have been paused or stayed by the court pending a trial set to begin in November. Class members may need to take further action to protect their claims against ship owners.

In order to receive a payment from the Amplify Energy lawsuit settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Dec. 7, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

Fishermen, property owners and tourism companies affected by the 2021 pipeline oil spill off the coast of Orange County near Huntington Beach

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

If you received any previous compensation you will be required to report it

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

12/07/2022

Case Name

Gutierrez et al. v. Amplify Energy Corp et al., Case No. 21-01628-DOC, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division

Final Hearing

Unknown

Settlement Website

LimitationClaims.com

Claims Administrator

JND Legal Administration

Class Counsel

Joseph A Walsh
Ellen E McGlynn
COLLIER WALSH NAKAZAWA LLP

Defense Counsel

Christopher W. Keegan
Daniel T. Donovan
Anna Rotman
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
Attorneys for Amplify

Albert E. Peacock III
David A. Tong
Margaret Stando
PEACOCK PIPER TONG & VOSS LLP
Attorneys for Cosco Beijing, V. Ships Greece Ltd., Mediterranean Shipping Co. and Costamare Shipping

Joseph A. Walsh II
Ellen E. McGlynn
COLLIER WALSH NAKAZAWA LLP
Attorneys for Dordellas Finance Corp.Conte C. Cicala

CLYDE & CO. US LLP
Attorney for Marine Exchange of Southern California