Deepwater Horizon cook settles case

NEW ORLEANS – A woman who was employed as a cook on the Deepwater Horizon rig when it exploded has settled her personal injury suit.

Oleander Benton had been part of a larger multi-party group of plaintiffs set to go to trial Feb. 27, but settled her case less than a week before the trial is set to begin. Details of the settlement were not released, although in the original complaint Benton sought an award of $5.5 million for personal injury plus punitive damages.

It is also reported Benton previously settled with Cameron International and Halliburton.

Benton's case was originally filed in the Southern District of Texas in Houston before being transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana.