The 2010 explosion of British Petroleum’s (BP) Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico claimed the lives of 11 workers aboard.
But there was more. In the three months after the spill began on April 20, approximately 5-million barrels – 208-million gallons – of toxic oil gushed from the Gulf floor and formed a massive slick about half the size of California across the surface of those waters.
The spill took a toll on the environment, on businesses, and on individuals – its adverse impacts continue to this day.
Tourism, for example, suffered substantial losses. In Florida alone, tourism declined 10 percent, costing the state $2.2 billion, according to CBS News.
Fishing, too, was harmed due to widespread ecosystem damage. Weitz & Luxenberg currently represents more than 500 fishermen in a class-action lawsuit against the party responsible for the spill – British Petroleum (BP). These fishermen once made their livelihood plying the waters of the Gulf and daily hauling in bountiful catches. But with the spill, whole populations of fish, shrimp, crab and clams thinned or vanished. As a result, catches have been paltry for many fishermen, while nets keep coming up empty for others. Comparatively few have escaped financial pain.
Now there is very good news to report. In February, 2012, BP agreed in principle to a settlement that would compensate these fishermen and others for their losses. The settlement, reached after more than two years of litigation, would create a variety of funds to help affected residents of the Gulf Coast. Read the press release here.
If you or your livelihood were harmed by the 2010 BP Gulf oil-spill, you may be entitled to compensation.
Weitz & Luxenberg stands ready to aid you in your efforts to claim what justly is owed to you. Here, for example, are some of the grounds on which you have the right to seek compensation. You may be owed if you:
* lost income because you make a living from or are dependent upon fishing, clamming, shrimping, or any other oceanic-based business;
* lost income because you make a living from or are dependant upon tourism;
* lost income because you make a living from or are dependant on people moving into the Gulf Coast area;
* incurred out-of-pocket expenses related to the oil spill, such as the cost of relocating yourself, your family and/or your business;
* suffered damage to your home, boat or other property;
* experienced emotional pain and suffering;
* went into debt to pay expenses, and the reason you did was because you had too little or no income as a consequence of the oil spill.
Start the process of receiving the compensation you may be owed by filling out the short form on this page and then clicking the “submit” button – you won’t be under any obligation if you do. A Weitz & Luxenberg attorney will then promptly contact you and provide a free legal consultation.
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