BP Ready to Settle With Louisiana

If you live in Louisiana, you know how important the vitality of the Gulf of Mexico is to the state. And, as such, this is why the Deepwater Horizon oil spill severely contaminating the Gulf—ravaging the coast, wildlife, and the livelihoods that depend on the Gulf’s health—has left the state of Louisiana still trying to remedy the effects.

BP is now ready to settle with states like Louisiana who were severely impacted by the spill, providing $6.8 billion to help reverse the damage done to our state alone.

Although this will not be enough to address the many environmental hazards that have been created as a result of the spill, it is crucial that the state use it wisely. But where do we start? Not only are there impacts to wetlands and wildlife, as well as livelihoods that depend upon health fish, but also potentially detrimental health impacts to future generations of children.

As of now, part of the funding is supposed to go towards trust funds to benefit healthcare and higher education; another part is to be set aside for a “rainy day”; and the last part put towards a coastal protection and restoration fund. The challenging part is ensuring that these funds are not mismanaged and derailed for other, unrelated purposes.

Dangerous Pollutants, Deliberate Misconduct and Gross Negligence

Benzene, a main component in gasoline, has been linked to various forms of cancer and is identified as a mobile source air toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Related health issues have included leukemia, anemia, and low blood cell count. Benzene can also cause central nervous system damage, such as headaches, confusion, tremors, and unconsciousness.

In the fall of 2014, a federal judge ruled that BP was responsible for the oil spill and had to pay penalties in response to claims brought by those who were injured or lost family members, or whose business interests were destroyed by the spill (fishermen, landowners, etc.) and cleanup costs. The rig itself was owned by Transocean and leased to BP, which was the main operator and developer alongside Anadarko Petroleum and MOEX Offshore. Specifically, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier described BP’s actions as “reckless.”

This year, a Louisiana federal judge decided that the 2012 medical benefits settlement between BP and the individual victims did not preclude people from filing future litigation related to medical issues that manifested after the settlement was signed.

Legal Representation in Toxic and Chemical Exposure Cases

Harrell & Nowak represents people who have been injured by the pollution and release of toxic chemicals. These releases can be from explosions, leaks, spills, or fires. 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.