Injury and Loss Claims for Affected Residents
On April 20 th, the explosion that occurred on the Deepwater Horizon exploratory oil rig, which is owned by Transocean Limited and operated by BP (Beyond Petroleum formerly known as British Petroleum) resulted in the death of 11 rig workers and the injury of many others. This explosion caused the oil rig to sink into the Gulf of Mexico and also caused the piping used to transport the unprocessed oil to the rig was broken resulting in the leaking of oil into the Gulf. Experts have estimated that approximately 19 million gallons of oil has leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. The amount of oil released surpassed the Exxon-Valdez oil spill in 1989 as the largest oil spill in the history of the United States.
The coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are going to be most affected by the oil spill. The marshlands, beaches, and waterways of these states are all at risk of becoming contaminated by the release of oil and the dispersants used to control the oil, which may be just as toxic as the oil.
For much of southern Louisiana, the livelihoods of its residents rely on the resources available through the Gulf of Mexico. The residents who are going to be affected the most are those people in the commercial fishing industry, which provides 40% of the seafood to the continental United States. The economy of southern Louisiana is very dependent on the services of these commercial fishermen. The resulting decreasing of fishing would in turn affect every business that relies on seafood from the Gulf of Mexico such as restaurants, chartered fishing companies, and . The effects of this spill will be felt throughout the gulf coast region and even throughout the United States.
Also, the Gulf Coast is very reliant on tourism which will be affected by the closing of beaches, fishing areas, and recreational waterways. Hotel owners, beachfront property renters, and restaurants will be those most affected by the decrease in visitors to the gulf coast.
Don't Be a Victim Twice!
Make sure you are compensated for your losses. Read our Injury Accident Guide and learn more about what to do after an accident that leaves you or someone you love injured. To learn more about possible claims involving the BP oil spill in Louisiana, call Murphy Law Firm LLC at 225-928-8800 to schedule a free initial consultation.
At Murphy Law Firm LLC, in Baton Rouge, our lawyers provide representation for people who have been affected by the oil spill in Louisiana. With more than 28 years of combined experience, we have a thorough understanding of how devastating the current catastrophe in the Gulf can affect people's lives. We work hard to pursue the benefits our clients need for the recovery process.
Talk With Us About You've Been Affected
If you or someone you love is dealing with the effects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, contact us at Murphy Law Firm LLC to learn more about your rights to compensation. Schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney by calling us at 225-928-8800. We work on a contingency basis, which means we do not receive any attorney fees unless we recover damages for you.
