Verdict Reached in BP West Coast Class-Action

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon jury found that BP West Coast Products LLC charged customers more for gas than the amount registered at the pump and failed to properly disclose its prices when charging a 35-cent fee to consumers who used debit cards to pay for gas at ARCO-branded stores in the Beaver State.

Under the decision rendered Wednesday by the Circuit Court for Multnomah County in the Scharfstein vs. BP West Coast Products LLC lawsuit, consumers who purchased fuel at certain Oregon ARCO or ARCO ampm locations from Jan. 1, 2011 to Aug. 30, 2013 and paid a 35-cent debit card transaction fee are eligible to receive a payment of $200, minus attorneys' fees up to $40 per claim, as well as a prorated share of costs.

Consumers who received a direct notice in the mail do not need to take further action to qualify for the payment. Consumers who did not receive a letter must file a claim via mail or Internet by Dec. 31.

Consumers who wish to opt out of the lawsuit also must do so by Dec. 31.

The Oregon court is scheduled to hold a hearing on attorneys' fees on Feb. 11. However, BP West Coast Products disputes the ruling and said it plans to appeal the verdict. Hence, according to the court, no payments will be made unless the verdict is upheld after appeal.

La Palma, Calif.-based BP West Coast Products LLC is a subsidiary of BP plc.