April 20 marks the 5-year anniversary of the world’s worst oil spill – the B.P. oil rig explosion and spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Deepwater Horizon Disaster claimed the lives of 11 men and spilled over 200 million gallons of crude oil along the coastline. A residue of oil and phytoplankton (dubbed the ‘marine blizzard’) that is 7 times the size of New Orleans now coats the Gulf floor area. The spill killed thousands of dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. The company has been sued by dozens of entities since the Deepwater Horizon spill, including state, local and federal governments, and individuals claiming economic loss. It has so far agreed to pay $4.5 billion in fines and plead guilty to a host of criminal charges, including felony manslaughter. The Supreme Court recently rejected BP’s bid to hear their challenge to their case. The company will also likely be liable for up to $13.7 billion in fines under the Clean Water Act.
Despite all this, the Obama administration just upheld a 2008 Arctic lease sale to allow Shell to commence drilling in the Arctic refuge, which set off a public outcry. While a potential oil spill in an ecologically sensitive area is definitely cause for concern, local residents in Louisiana are still suffering the long-term effects of the B.P. disaster. Louisiana’s coastline suffered the greatest percentage of ecological damage in the entire gulf area. With that damage comes harm to human health. Aside from the fact that the marina along the Louisiana coastline in Plaquemines Parish now stands empty, and fishermen, businesses, and restaurants have been ravaged, new studies are showing that the chemical dispersants (primarily Corexit) that were used to clean up the oil are causing environmental damage in unknown ways, along with damage to human lungs.
Dangerous Pollutants Identified by the EPA
It’s well established that exposure to chemicals in oil, namely benzene, can cause serious health issues, especially respiratory illnesses. Benzene, a main component in gasoline, has been linked to cancers in the Louisiana area, and is identified as a mobile source air toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Exposure has been associated with leukemia, anemia, low white blood cell count and low blood platelet count. The chemical can also cause central nervous system damage, such as headaches, confusion, tremors, and unconsciousness.
Legal Representation in Toxic and Chemical Exposure Cases
Harrell & Nowak represents people who have been injured by the pollution and release of toxic chemicals in the air, soil, and water. These releases can be from explosions, leaks, spills, or fires. Eric Nowak and Shirin Harrell have been appointed by the court as class counsel in a large environmental class action case in Orleans Parish involving the release of a toxic chemical. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients, and a success rate of 90% in our litigation. If you have fallen ill because of toxic chemical exposure, contact the lawyers at our New Orleans firm, also serving Metairie, Kenner, and nearby communities.