Are you a Family or Friend of a Victim?
On April 20, 2010, an explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil-drilling platform took the lives of 11 crew members and within the first month following the disaster, allowed 30 million gallons of oil to spill into the Gulf of Mexico. This toxic flow of oil into the Gulf poisoned enormous amounts of sea life, the coastline, the air and the water in surrounding communities in Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Texas.
Did the BP Oil Spill Affect Your Loved One?
Oil rig workers, fishermen, oystermen and shrimpers, cleanup workers, volunteers and residents along the Gulf of Mexico were affected by the disaster physically or financially – and in some instances, in both cases. To this day, many of your loved ones may still be suffering from the consequences of what’s known as the largest offshore disaster in the country’s history, especially those who made their living on the water or helped with cleanup efforts.
How Did BP Clean the Oil Spill?
Over an 87-day period, an estimated 184 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana was the hardest hit state, with almost 10 million pounds of oil residue left behind in the disaster’s wake.
In an attempt to contain the oil, BP distributed floating booms and utilized skimmer vessels to scoop up as much oil as possible. Additionally, some 1.8 million gallons of a chemical dispersant called Corexit, which is designed to break down oil into droplets natural oil-eating bacteria could more easily consume, were distributed into the Gulf.
Problems Caused by the BP Oil Spill
BP neglected to provide proper safety gear and protection like hazmat suits and respirators to your loved ones working along the Gulf after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, causing them to be directly exposed to the chemical dispersants and the oil. Studies show that Corexit has been linked to a variety of symptoms that developed both quickly and over time in the tens of thousands of people who participated in the cleanup efforts.
If your loved one displays symptoms such as eye problems, neurological conditions, respiratory illnesses and sinus issues, skin conditions or stomach complications, these could all be medical conditions covered by the settlement fund established by BP.
The oil spill also caused economic hardships for many of those living in the regions affected. If your loved one’s business relied on the waters for fishing or transportation, or their property was damaged from the oil, compensation is available to help them get back on their feet.
Who Qualifies for Compensation?
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. If your loved one lived in what courts have classified as Zone A or Zone B along the Gulf Coast and you can demonstrate he or she was sickened by the effects of the oil spill, you may be eligible for compensation through a fund established for victims of the disaster.
Residents in these zones must demonstrate one or more specific medical conditions that have caused damage to their:
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose
- Throat
- Upper air or respiratory passages
- Skin
- Head
Those people who bravely volunteered to help clean up the shoreline are also entitled to submit claims for injuries related to the spill. In the wake of the disaster, more than 100,000 individuals worked tirelessly to restore the Gulf Coast. Countless people were directly exposed to crude oil, benzene and other harmful chemicals. If your loved one has developed physical symptoms following the cleanup efforts, claims for medical benefits can be submitted to a court-ordered fund. Medical conditions covered include:
- Respiratory problems
- High blood pressure
- Chemical burns
- Vision problems
- Dizziness
- Rashes and skin problems
- Ear, nose and throat conditions
- Gastroenterological problems
If your loved one was one of the countless hardworking people now suffering with health conditions due to the BP oil spill, the experienced attorneys at the Downs Law Group are ready to advise you and help you receive the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation, please contact us today.
