San Francisco-Based Law Firm of Audet & Partners, LLP Files Class Action Complaint on Behalf of Commercial Fishermen Relating to the Cosco Bay Area Oil Spill

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Audet & Partners, LLP, a San Francisco-based, nationally recognized law firm that focuses on class actions and complex litigation, announced today that it has filed a class action complaint in federal court on behalf of commercial fishing operators who suffered economic injury as a result of the Cosco Bay Area Oil Spill of November 7, 2007. The plaintiff, Chelsea, LLC, is a family-owned commercial crab operation. The class damages are estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

"Our case is simple and straightforward: the defendants' negligence caused commercial fishermen and related operators to lose millions and millions of dollars during this critical fishing season," said William M. Audet of Audet & Partners, LLP. According to Mr. Audet, "The reports over the past few days clearly establish at least negligence on the part of the defendants." Named in the lawsuit are Regal Stone, Ltd. and Hanjin Shipping, Co., Ltd.

The law firm has been in communication with a number of potential class members regarding pursuing claims, and anticipates filing additional cases over the next few weeks. The Audet firm is considering seeking injunctive relief to force the defendants to place more resources into the clean-up effort. As attorney Audet noted: "My clients' livelihoods have been dramatically impacted -- especially crab operations and others with very short seasons." Additional information about the case and Audet & Partners can be found at http://www.audetlaw.com.

The complaint is entitled Chelsea, LLC, on behalf of the Class v. Regal Stone, Ltd., et al., Civil Action No. 07-5800 (Northern District of California).

    Contact Information:
    William M. Audet
    Audet & Partners, LLP
    221 Main Street, Suite 1460
    San Francisco, CA 94105
    Telephone:  415.568.2555
    Facsimile:  415.568.2556
    E-mail:  waudet@audetlaw.com
    (Assistant:  Hannah Weinberg)