Do you think you are a victim of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
We are dedicated to helping BP Oil Spill victims get the compensation they deserve
The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 affected communities along the shorelines of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Texas. Whether you were an oil rig worker, a local fisherman, captain or volunteer offering your time in the cleanup efforts, or even a resident simply living along the coastline, you could be suffering serious health conditions, property damage or economic distress as a result of this devastating oil spill.
What Caused the BP Oil Spill?
On the night of April 20, 2010, a surge of natural gas blasted through a concrete core installed by contractor Halliburton to seal the well for later use. It was later discovered that the core was likely too weak to withstand the pressure, as it was composed of a concrete mixture that used nitrogen gas to accelerate curing.
The explosion took the lives of 11 crew members and marked the start of an 87-day period during which oil flowed unabated into the Gulf of Mexico. As the largest offshore oil disaster in U.S. history, an estimated 184 million gallons were spilled, 18 times the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez.
How Much Did BP Pay in Fines for the Oil Spill?
On September 5, 2014, a federal judge ruled that BP was “grossly negligent.” The company was fined a record $18 billion under the Clean Water Act.
As of July 14, 2016, BP had spent $61.6 billion in court fees, penalties, and clean-up costs. On January 16, 2018, BP PLC announced it would take a $1.7 billion charge for expenses related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It expected cash payments of $3 billion for the year.
In total, it cost BP $4 billion to contain and clean up the mess and another $4 billion to $5 billion in penalties.
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 you are a resident living in what courts have classified as Zone A or Zone B along the Gulf Coast and can demonstrate you were 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 you have developed physical symptoms following your efforts, you can also submit claims for medical benefits 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
Additionally, many residents throughout the Gulf Coast shore experienced extensive physical damage to their homes, businesses and property. If you’re a resident suffering property damage or economic hardship following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the BP oil spill victim compensation fund covers damage to businesses facing economic losses, coastal and wetlands real property damage, physical damage to vessels, vessels of opportunity charter payments, individual economic losses and more.
If you are one of the countless hardworking people affected physically or economically by 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.
