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Union Oil Co. v. Oppen

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

501 F.2d 558 (C.A. Cal. 1974)

Facts

A large oil spill caused widespread damage along the California coast. A group of commercial fishermen (plaintiffs) brought a negligence suit against the oil companies (defendants) involved in coastal drilling operations where the oil spill occurred. The oil companies agreed, by stipulation, to pay damages for legally cognizable injuries. The court interpreted this as allowing the fishermen to recover lost profits. The oil companies appealed. The United States Court of Appeals granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Sneed, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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