Louisiana and Alabama shrimpers have filed several class-action lawsuits against BP as owners of the drilling platform that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, reports say. The lawsuits, according to reports, accuse the company of negligence. Suits were filed on behalf of three commercial shrimp fishermen from Louisiana and Alabama.
Each lawsuit seeks economic and compensatory damages of at least $5 million, the minimum sum required by the federal Class Action Fairness Act. They also seek unspecified punitive damages. Swiss-based Transocean Ltd, owner of the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform, is also reportedly named in the suit.
The oil slick, now some 110 miles long and 40 miles wide, was expected to wash ashore in a wildlife reserve at the mouth of the Mississippi River later this week, threatening the environmentally sensitive coastline of four states.
In addition, the Gulf Coast region is one of the most prolific fisheries in the United States, accounting for more than 70 percent of a nationwide shrimp catch. At $442 million, it is one of the nation's largest finishing industries. Unfortunately, the oil spill also coincides with the start of the shrimp season, as immature shrimp make their way out to deeper sea waters.
Estimates are that 5,000 barrels - or around 210,000 gallons -- of crude oil is gushing from the sea floor per day, with BP desperately trying to cap and clean what it calls the largest oil spill containment operation in history.
For those injured or suffering from the effects of this spill, there may be hard times to come. The Doan Law Firm may be able to help defray costs. The Doan Law Firm has extensive experience in litigation and personal injury cases. For more information, contact the Doan Law Firm at 1 Riverway, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77056. Phone: (713) 869-4747 or (800) 910-FIRM.