FED: Esso faces $1.3 billion claim = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-1999
FED: Esso faces $1.3 billion claim = 2

Some 22 insurance companies, representing a wide range of clients with individual claims of
up to $40 million, would be seeking to join the class action, Slater and Gordon partner Nick
Styant-Browne told reporters.

However, the joint action did not necessarily mean a faster result, he said.

"We expect this to be fought in the federal court and then back before a full bench of the
federal court and then in the High Court," he said.

According to Mr Styant-Browne, only 10 people out of the 1.2 million Victorians eligible to
join the class action had asked not be be involved.

"This is just extraordinary ... I've never run a class action of this size where such a
small proportion have opted out," he said.

"The addition of the insurers give the proceedings real added grunt. They've got $300
million worth of insured losses ... it's a reflection of how strong the insurers think the
case is and it presents a united front to Esso.

"Esso's capacity to unite the Victorian community against it is just breathtaking."

AAP ag/jlw/hu

KEYWORD: GAS INSURERS LD 2 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)

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