Environmental Pollutants
Gulf Oil Spill Income Loss Fishing Industry Fishing Business Losses
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Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Commercial Fishermen, Property and Owners Business Owners Face Possible Property Damage and Financial Losses
IMPORTANT: If your livelihood or property has been 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.
Since the April 2010 oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, thousands of families who live and work in the Gulf Coast regions in Alabama, Texas, Florida, Mississipi and Louisiana have been bracing for the possibility that the oil spill will reach their shores.
Along with the possibility that beaches, marinas and wetlands may be damaged by the oil slick and chemicals that have been pumped into the Gulf waters in attempt to contain the spill, there are serious economic consequences for the residents of coastal towns who depend upon summer tourist income in order to earn their living.
In the first weeks following the environmental disaster, the U.S. Coast Guard has taken a lead role into the investigation into the oil spill and the cleanup efforts. Other federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Homeland Security are also playing vital roles in the containment and cleanup efforts to prevent the miles-wide oil slick from reaching coastal shores, injuring wildlife and marine life, and causing more air and water pollution.
Serious Economic Problems for Gulf Coast Fishing Industry
Data compiled by the Fisheries Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reflects that the nation’s shrimp industry is dependent on shrimp caught in Gulf waters. Nearly three quarters of the white, pink and brown shrimp caught in the United States is harvested by commercial operations in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, nearly one-fifth of the nation’s consumption of fish such as kingfish, red snapper and marlin are caught in the Gulf.
Many of the crew members who work on commercial fishing vessels may also be facing additional lost income, as many own, operate or work about recreational fishing boats that take amateur wranglers out for a day of fishing in the Gulf.
Lastly, American consumers will be the final group that will suffer from the possible destruction of fish populations in the gulf, as the owners of commercial fish markets and restaurant owners are already predicting that the costs of gulf fish and shrimp will skyrocket because of the oil spill.
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.
In April 2010, our lawyers, together with a consortium of law firms in the U.S., filed lawsuits in response to the BP oil spill. The complaints (Case Numbers 3:10-cv-00137-MCR-EMT and 2:10-cv-01229-KDE-SS) seek to recover damages on behalf of our clients whose businesses and properties were affected by the oil spill.
If your business or family is facing property damage or business interruption by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, please complete the form on this page to have your possible lawsuit reviewed by our firm.
A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.
see also:
Restaurant Industry Affected
Restaurants affected by gulf oil spill | Weitz & Luxenberg attorneysFree legal case review is available for owners and employees of Gulf region restaurants who suffered financial losses because of BP oil spill.
Marine Life
Gulf Oil Spill Harms Fish, Travel, Tourism | Weitz & Luxenberg LawyerGulf oil spill affects fishing sporting activities and marine life in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida. Get a free legal review
Business Losses
BP Deepwater Horizon | Weitz & Luxenberg lawyersNews, information and free legal resources are available for those impacted by the BP Deepwater Horizons oil spill disaster.
