Article by georgebizpro
A lawsuit brought on by ten Louisiana restaurants and one distributor against BP over the Deepwater Horizon accident may reach class action status. The plaintiffs' Louisiana Maritime Attorney is seeking class action for all restaurant operators and seafood distributors that are located in counties or parishes that touch on or border the Gulf of Mexico in the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas.
Despite an announcement by BP that it was awarding tourism promotion grants of $ 15 to $ 25 million to the governors of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi (excluding Texas), restaurant industry professionals in these parts feel that these grants will not offset the increase in operating costs they will face as a result of this catastrophe. The Transocean oil spill has reduced production and available the population of fish and shellfish in the area, causing prices to rise.
The plaintiffs also fear that even with the increased awareness the grants may bring, tourism in the coastal part of their states will be severely affected. They are not alone in this assumption; in fact over 20 lawsuits against BP have been filed in Alabama, with countless others being filed in the aforementioned states.
The restaurants and distributor seeking class status through their Louisiana Maritime Attorney are looking to make claims under the federal Oil Pollution Act. This act mandates that oil companies have "plans to prevent spills that may occur" and detailed containment and cleanup contingency plans if a spill does occur. Their Louisiana Maritime Attorney is contending that BP was negligent in carrying out these mandates.
While it remains to be seen if class action status is reached on these lawsuits against BP, what is clear is that thousands of individuals and businesses have been affected by BP and Transocean's joint failure of responsibility in causing and failing to contain the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. If you are seeking damages against BP or Transocean, it is wise to seek advice from an experienced Louisiana Maritime Attorney to consult with about your best course of action.
No comments:
Post a Comment