The 27-tonne tree is diseased with fungi and the owner wants it cut down as he would be liable for any damage caused should it fall.

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It was believed to be the first time a Dutch court has held a multinational's foreign subsidiary liable for environmental damage and ordered it to pay damages.

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And BP is liable for those damage assessments.

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Under dog-bite statutes, owners are liable for all injuries or property damage the dog causes.

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BP, as Carol said, is liable for the environmental degradation through natural resource damage assessments.

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