Alabama Oil Spill Lawyer
As of Aug. 2, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was losing 62,000 barrels, or 2,604,000 gallons of oil a day. Internal British Petroleum documents estimated the worst-case scenario, before the spill was staunched, at a loss of up to 100,000 barrels or 2,500,000 gallons of oil daily.
The unprecedented oil spill has caused untold economic and ecological damage in the region, the results of which will be felt for years. Fishermen, tourism and home values in the gulf region have been especially hard hit.
Authorities the first week of May closed affected Gulf of Mexico waters to fishing from the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana to northwest Florida, effectively putting thousands of fishermen out of work at a crucial time in the season.
Gulf Oil Spill Lawyers
Because of the devastating economic damage the spill has caused, Alabama lawyers are receiving hundreds of claims. Class action lawsuits as well as individual lawsuits are being filed on behalf of affected workers, business owners and property owners.
Economic Impact on Alabama Businesses
Among those impacted economically by the oil spill disaster are:
- Fishing jobs
- Home prices
- Tourism
- Boat builders
In Bayou La Batre, Alabama, commercial fishermen formed a blockade, lining up their boats end to end. They were protesting British Petroleum’s hiring practices to help with the cleanup. The fishermen complained that BP was hiring sports fishermen before hiring those who depended upon fishing for a living.
In Baldwin County, Alabama, where tourism is big business, one hotel saw a loss of $10,000 in cancelled reservations. It’s not only the tourist business that is affected, though, said the hotel owner. Lawyers and business owners who service hotels and restaurants and their employees are also being affected.
Ron Sparks, Democratic candidate for governor in Alabama is calling for congressional hearings into the downturn in property value on the Alabama coast because of the BP oil spill. He told reporters at a news conference that “many owners are in financial hot water because they cannot rent their beach homes or condominiums since the oil spill.” Sparks said properties have dropped an average of $45,000 in value.
Financial Loss Claims in Alabama
British Petroleum said it had gotten 145,000 oil spill claims for lost income and paid out $324 million without denying even one claim, according to the Associated Press, Aug. 9, 2010. An additional 39,000 claims are, reportedly, pending. Some of them have been in limbo for months.
“Therein lies the problem,” said Mississippi attorney general Jim Hood. “They don’t deny claims,” he said, “they just hold them open forever.”
Contact an Alabama Oil Spill Attorney
If you or someone you know has suffered economically because of the BP oil spill, you might want to take action against the oil company. Many individuals are filing individual lawsuits while others are joining class actions to seek compensation for the damages they have suffered.
Your initial consultation with an Alabama Oil Spill attorney is free. For more information and to find out if you qualify to file a claim, contact our BP oil spill lawyers today.