As it announced better than expected first quarter results yesterday, the company said that the additional claims had been brought by a range of individuals,companies, states, local government entities and Mexico with more expected.
Most of the lawsuits have been registered under  the United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 which has a three year statute of limitations.

Ongoing litigation

The first  trial of BP with its partners Transocean and Halliburton ended in April and  judgement  is expected in the summer  allocating the degree of blame for each company. The company is attempting to include the new claims within the civil trial which is being held in New Orleans.