BP Oil Spill, BP Oil Spill Cleanup Workers BLOG POST

Do I Qualify as a “Cleanup Worker”?

Exposure to five million barrels of crude oil, which contains benzene, a known carcinogen. Working with two million gallons of chemical dispersants, which are linked to numerous health problems, including skin and respiratory ailments ― without the required protective clothing and equipment. A general increased risk of cancer and leukemia, kidney and liver damage, blood disorders and numerous other illnesses.

If you were employed as a cleanup worker following the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill, you deserve to be compensated for what you have suffered and may suffer in the future, both in the short- and long-term. Under the medical settlement with BP Oil, individuals who performed “response activities” qualify as cleanup workers. These individuals are entitled to slightly higher recovery amounts than Gulf residents and are required to file a little less paperwork in order to qualify for compensation.

What are “response activities”?

“Response activities” include all activities that relate to the cleanup, remediation efforts and other actions performed because of the Deepwater Horizon incident and the release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This includes anyone who handled the chemical dispersants or other decontaminants for the purpose of cleanup efforts. The work must have been performed under the supervision of BP Oil, any federal, state, or local authority or the Unified Command.

Does my work performing “response activities” qualify me as a “cleanup worker”?

Under the medical settlement, you are considered a “cleanup worker” if:

1. You performed response activities as an employee (captain, crew or other worker) of a Vessel of Opportunity (VoO)
2. You were employed to decontaminate a VoO that participated in response activities
3. You performed response activities as an employee (captain, crew or other worker) of a vessel other than a VoO
4. You were employed to perform response activities onshore
5. You were engaged in the recovery, transport and decontamination of any form of wildlife that was harmed by the BP Oil Spill

If you believe that you qualify as a cleanup worker, contact the attorneys at The Downs Law Group to see how much you are entitled to under the terms of the medical settlement with BP Oil, and/or what else can be done to assure that you get the testing, treatment and support you need and deserve. Call our office today for a free consultation.