Environmental Pollutants
Gulf Oil Spill Income Loss
|
Fishing Industry and The BP Oil Spill
BP Oil Spill’s Impact on the Gulf Region’s Fishing Industry: Those Facing Property Damage or Business Losses Can Get a Free Lawsuit Review From Our Attorneys
Weitz & Luxenberg's lawyers, along with environmental advocate Erin Brockovich, have been meeting with Gulf coast residents (including those who work in the commercial fishing industry) who have been affected by the BP oil spill. If you or a family member is facing property, business or other monetary losses, please complete the form on this page for a free review of your potential lawsuit.
IMPORTANT: If your livelihood or property is affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill, we urge you to seek the advice of a lawyer before signing job applications or other documents. You may be signing away your legal rights to take part in a class action lawsuit.
Every day since the April 20, 2010 explosion and fire aboard the Deepwater Horizons oil rig, millions of gallons of crude oil have been polluting the waters in the Gulf Coast region.
Residents who live, work and own property in the Gulf coast regions of Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas have spent the weeks since the spill watching their coastal shores for signs that the massive oil slick may contaminate their beaches, wetlands and marshes.
Financial Losses in the Millions
Tragically, the potential devastation to the region’s marine life may be seen for decades. However, those who depend upon the region’s commercial and leisure fishing industry may also be facing years of financial losses.
The owners of commercial fishing vessels that farm the Gulf region for red snapper, marlin, kingfish, as well as shrimp, oysters and crab have had their operations halted due to concerns about whether schools of these fish and shellfish have been tainted by the oil slick, controlled burns begun in the first days after the spill, and other containment and control efforts that have dumped thousands of gallons of chemicals into the Gulf waters.
On land, the operators of the facilities that process fish and shellfish harvests for sale throughout the U.S. have also been affected by reduced fish harvests and new regulations that will require U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testing of fishing harvests for chemicals that may render the fish unfit for human consumption.
Tourism Losses Lead to Lost Revenues
While tourism departments have been working valiantly to inform potential tourists that the region’s beaches are safe, the owners of Gulf area hotels, spas, golfing resorts, casinos and vacation rental properties face each day to scores of phone messages, e-mails and faxes with cancellations.
The loss of tourist revenues has also impacted area restaurants—not only from lost tourism income—but from concerns about whether the fish and seafood was safe.
In addition, the owners and crews of fishing vessels hired to take vacationers out to fish the Gulf’s vast marlin population, the scuba and snorkeling experts who host daily cruises for vacationers, and the business owners who rent water and beach sports equipment are also facing lost revenues and employee layoffs.
Get Help From Weitz & Luxenberg
For over 25 years, Weitz & Luxenberg’s lawyers have been fighting for the rights of those whose property, health and livelihoods have been impacted by environmental pollution, and we are ready to help you, your family and your business.
If your business or family is facing property damage or business interruption by the BP Gulf oil spill disaster, please complete the form on this page to have your possible lawsuit reviewed by our law firm.
A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.
see also:
Louisiana Bayou Indians
Louisiana Bayou Indians livelihoods endangered by BP spillBP Gulf spill endangers lives of Bayou Indians in Louisiana
Fishing
Water Pollution From Gulf Oil Spill | Weitz & Luxenberg Lawyers Help is available from our lawyers for fisherman affected by oil pollution in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Greenwald Profile
BP Spill Lawyer Discusses Damage | Weitz & Luxenberg Class ActionLawyer Robin Greenwald interviewed about effects of BP oil spill on businesses, tourism, restaurants, waitstaff and hotels. Free class action case review
