Are you a Concerned Citizen?
On April 20, 2010, one of the worst environmental disasters in the history of the U.S. took place. In the Gulf of Mexico, the explosion and eventual collapse of the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform killed 11 oil rig workers, injured 17 others and began spewing an estimated 184 million barrels of oil into the surrounding waters over an 87-day period. The effects of this disaster impacted the coastal regions in the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Texas, poisoning fishing grounds and damaging the property and health of those living in the areas.
Almost nine years later, both the towns and ecosystems located along the Gulf are still struggling to recover from the BP oil spill.
Who is to Blame for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill?
The blowout on the drilling platform that triggered the crisis was the result of negligence by the companies that operated it, including BP, Transocean (the owner of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig) and Halliburton, the cement contractor. In 2014, a federal judge placed the majority of the blame on BP (67 percent) for the 2010 disaster, stating that their conduct was “reckless,” while Transocean’s and Halliburton’s conduct was “negligent.”
How Much Did BP Pay for the Oil Spill?
BP was fined a record $18.7 billion under the Clean Water Act in September of 2014. Additionally, in 2016 they spent $61.6 billion in court fees, penalties and cleanup costs. BP is also liable for Natural Resources Damages Assessment fines and economic losses. The Clean Water Act fines will be used in an effort to continue restore the delicate ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico.
Holding BP Accountable for the Disaster
Roughly 44 million people throughout the region have been exposed to oil and chemicals that, almost nine years later, continues to affect their quality of life. BP never provided proper safety gear to cleanup workers, such as respirators and hazmat suits, leaving them vulnerable to the exposure of the oil and dispersant on a daily basis. This resulted in a variety of medical conditions like respiratory problems, skin irritations and chemical burns, vision troubles and more among those who dedicated themselves to cleaning up their beloved waters and coastlines.
BP oil spill victims located in what courts have classified as Zone A or Zone B along the Gulf Coast who can demonstrate they were sickened by the effects of the oil spill may be eligible for compensation through a fund established for victims of the disaster. However, the thousands of ill workers hired by BP to clean up the oil are still awaiting their compensation. To date, only around 23,000 workers have been paid under a 2012 class action settlement, with the average claim paid only around $2,940.
It’s time to hold BP accountable for their negligent actions. Please share our video to help spread the word about the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon disaster and how it’s still affecting the lives of so many to this day. Encourage those affected by the spill to seek settlement funds by contacting the experienced attorneys at the Downs Law Group today. We are ready to advise BP oil spill victims and help them receive the compensation they so deserve.
