Two Louisiana shrimpers have filed a lawsuit against BP and several other defendants in association with the massive oil rig accident that is currently ravaging the Gulf Coast. The lawsuit claims the fire, explosion, and ensuing oil spill at the rig in the Gulf of Mexico were the result of negligence.
The shrimpers are currently attempting to receive class action status for their lawsuit. The plaintiff class is to be made up of Louisiana residents who have suffered financial losses as a result of the oil spill, including shrimpers, fishers, oystermen, and others working on the Gulf Coast. The amount of damages will be determined at trial, but the plaintiffs have indicated it will be at least $5 million.
Experts have estimated that approximately 5,000 barrels of oil are spilling into the Gulf of Mexico each day. It is already on its way to becoming one of the largest oil spills in our country’s history.
There are two other defendants listed on the lawsuit alongside BP:
- Transocean, the owner of the sunken rig
- Cameron International, the company that manufactured a safety valve which failed to shut off the oil
The lawsuit claims the oil rig was not operated properly, charging the defendants with acting negligently regarding the safety of others. The plaintiffs’ attorney has announced that they have a whistleblower from an adjoining rig who claims 85% of the drilling pipe was not properly inspected by the U.S. Minerals Management Service.
BP stands to face many more environmental litigation claims in association with the oil spill. If you have suffered personal or financial damages as a result of the oil rig accident in the Gulf of Mexico, an experienced environmental litigation attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
