Oil Spill Chemical Contamination

FDA Addresses Effects of Chemical Dispersants on Gulf Seafood Harvests

The attorneys in Weitz & Luxenberg’s environmental oil spill unit are currently assisting hundreds of commercial fishermen, business owners and others who have been impacted by the BP oil spill disaster. Thousands of Gulf residents have been affected financially, had property damage because oil spill contamination or have suffered health problems because of exposure to chemical contamination caused by the oil spill.

If you or a family member has developed health problems due to their work to clean up the BP crude oil spill or had business and income losses caused by the oil spill, please complete the form on this page to obtain important information about your legal rights.

IMPORTANT: If your livelihood, property or health has been affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill, we urge you to seek the advice of a lawyer before signing job applications, requests for financial reimbursement or other documents. You may be signing away your legal rights to take part in an oil spill lawsuit.

In the months since the April 2010 oil spill disaster, thousands of businesses dependent on the Gulf region’s fishing industry have faced considerable financial losses, and many are also reporting that they have become ill after being exposed to crude oil and the chemicals in the oil and dispersants used to contain the oil spill.

The environmental disaster has also led to considerable concern about both the short and long-term effects for the region’s marine and wildlife, and whether populations of finfish and shellfish that have been harvested since the spill may have been affected.

To that end, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new test for commercial seafood harvests to determine whether the fish and shellfish had been contaminated by chemical dispersants.

FDA Initiative
On October 29, 2010, the FDA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a new test to ensure that commercial seafood harvests were safe for public consumption.

The FDA’s new test will test for a chemical known as dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS), which is one of the major components in the chemical dispersants used in the oil spill cleanup.

To read the FDA’s announcement with regard to this new testing, please click here.

Fishermen Who Worked on the Cleanup Now Face Health Problems
Hundreds of commercial fishermen, boat owners and fishing vessel crews sought work helping in the containment and cleanup of the BP oil spill. These workers included those who worked for the Coast Guard’s Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) program, as well as those who worked to lay boom, collect tar balls that washed on the shores, and clean up tar and oil that reached Gulf area beaches. In addition, those involved in weathered oil spill remediation efforts are also at risk.

As a result of exposure to crude oil, weathered oil and crude oil dispersants (see examples below), many of these workers are now reporting health-related oil spill injuries.

Crude Oil Weathered Crude OilChemical Dispersants

Business and Income Losses
These businesses and individuals have also faced significant financial losses as a result of the spill. In addition to the loss of business income for the owners, operators and crews of both commercial and leisure fishing vessels, restaurants, as well as wholesale and retail seafood retailers faced consumer concerns about increased fish, shrimp and other seafood prices and the safety and quality of fish and shellfish offered for sale.

These losses extend far beyond the Gulf shores, as the owners of retail seafood stores and supermarket fish counters in every area of the country face hundreds of customers each week with the same question: “Did this fish come from the Gulf of Mexico?”

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 you or a loved one has suffered health problems or has had business, property, income or other financial losses caused by the after-effects of the Gulf oil spill disaster, please complete the form on this page to have your possible case reviewed by our firm.

A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.

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Please complete the following questionnaire:

First name
Last name
Mailing address
Phone number
E-mail address
How were you involved in the cleanup after the BP oil spill disaster (Coast Guard Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) Program, beach cleanup, etc.)
In what state(s) did you work?
What company(ies) did you work for?
Were you exposed to crude oil, weathered oil or oil mixed with a chemical dispersant such as Corexit? (See photos on this page)
Have you developed any health problems after being exposed to crude oil or chemical dispersants during your work?
Have you seen a doctor for your health problems? If so, what was your diagnosis?
Are you still experiencing these health problems?
Have you filed a claim with the BP Claims Office or the Gulf Coast Claims Facility? If so, what is the status of your claim?
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Weathered Crude Oil

Weathered Oil Spill: Remediation | Weitz & Luxenberg oil spill lawyers
Free legal case review from a Weitz & Luxenberg oil spill lawyer available for those injured by weathered oil spill during Gulf remediation cleanup efforts

Chemical Dispersants

Crude Oil Dispersants | Weitz & Luxenberg BP oil spill lawyers
Gulf residents face serious health concerns caused by exposure to crude oil and chemical dispersants. Free case review from Weitz & Luxenberg's attorneys.

Health Claims

BP Oil Spill Injuries | Weitz & Luxenberg oil spill claims lawyers
Free legal review available for those now suffering from health problems or other injuries related to the BP oil spill. Contact Weitz & Luxenberg.

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