Families of oil workers killed , hurt in Gulf file lawsuits against Congress , Transocean . Swiss , which owns Deepwater Horizon , to use a 19th century Gulf law . The Limitation of Liability Act of a 19th century was meant to keep Gulf . Transocean 's ability to use the law may depend on a judge 's ruling on who at Transocean knew of potential problems and when they knew it . Merchant Marine competitive . Some lawmakers and analysts say the law should either be amended or repealed .
Families of oil workers killed , hurt in Gulf file lawsuits against Congress , Transocean . Swiss , which owns Deepwater Horizon , to use a 19th century Gulf law . The Limitation of Liability Act of a 19th century was meant to keep Gulf . Merchant Marine competitive . Some lawmakers and analysts say the law should either be amended or repealed .