The high-stakes Gulf oil spill trial has started with a lawyer criticizing BP by saying company executives put enormous pressure on drilling managers to cut costs and rush the job.

Jim Roy is an attorney for individuals and businesses affected by the spill. He says BP repeatedly chose speed over safety.

The federal government and attorneys for a couple of Gulf coast states are also expected to make opening statements Monday. BP is also expected to present its side.

The trial is designed to assign blame and help figure out exactly how much more BP and other companies should pay for the nation's worst offshore oil spill.