Florida Attorneys Work to Recover Vacationers’ Losses from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Those with rental property or who lost money from planned vacations may have legal options
The states surrounding the Gulf of Mexico remain a popular haven for vacationers and snowbirds. Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida are all destinations for many to get out of town or to invest in a winter home. However, the summer of 2010 proved to be a time when the dreams of many people were seriously damaged by the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
For 87 days, five million barrels of oil flowed freely into the Gulf of Mexico. More than 2 million pounds of toxic dispersants were used to combat the spread of crude oil. Much of the Gulf of Mexico was closed to non-recovery vessels. Many hotels and other destinations were filled with cleanup workers. The vacations homes that many regular people invested in were damaged by spreading oil and dispersants. If your vacation opportunities were impeded by the Gulf Coast oil spill, the Downs Law Group can advise you about your specific legal options.
Residual chemicals from the BP oil spill are a threat to many
Many individuals own or rent property along the Gulf of Mexico that does not qualify as their primary residence. The BP compensation fund was initiated as part of a settlement agreement between the federal government and British Petroleum to compensate residents for damage to their property that resulted from the spill. However, the definition of a resident is limited to those people in certain zones along the shoreline who were present for 60 days during the initial crisis. As a result, many people who own property in affected areas may not qualify as “residents.”
Nevertheless, those who own property along the shorelines and bayous of the Gulf Coast have suffered damage even if they were not present during that time. Damage includes:
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Even if you were not present in the area for the full 60-day time period, you may have legal options available for obtaining compensation. Our attorneys can provide more information about the process for recovering the costs of damage.
The young and elderly may be susceptible to health problems after the 2010 oil spill
Many people have experienced chronic and often severe health effects following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. It is alleged that both oil released into Gulf waters and the chemical dispersant Corexit used to break up the oil spill are extremely toxic and continue to wash ashore in unsafe amounts. Young members of a family and those who are at retirement age or older are the most susceptible to chemical poisoning from long-term exposure. Those who are most likely to spend long vacation times in the Gulf Coast region are most at risk. If you regularly swim in waters along the coastline, you could experience significant damage to your health.
Symptoms of chemical poisoning from oil or Corexit dispersants include:
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If you are experiencing health problems after spending time along the Gulf of Mexico, one of our attorneys can advise you about your legal options and possible medical benefits.
Contact our firm for a free initial consultation regarding damage to your vacation home or rental property
Although the crisis has subsided, the damage inflicted and the threats to the health of those who spend time in the Gulf Coast region remain. The Downs Law Group represents people who have been affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. If you have experienced medical issues or your property has been damaged by the oil spill and you need compensation, speak with one of our attorneys to learn more about your options. Contact us for a free initial consultation at 305-444-8226 or online.
