On April 20, 2010, a BP oil rig named Deepwater Horizon burst into flames 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana. It sank two days later, leaving 11 workers missing and presumed dead as well as three critically wounded. During the following weeks, the underwater well continued to pump an estimated 210,000 gallons of crude oil directly into the Gulf of Mexico every day, for a total of more than 5.5 million gallons.
On May 16, BP succeeded in inserting a pipe into the leaking well to siphon off some of the spewing oil and pump it to a ship on the surface. However, it is not clear how much of the oil is being captured or how much continues to spill into the sea. Moreover, researchers have now discovered huge plumes of oil deep underwater, suggesting that the spillage rate may have been higher than 210,000 gallons a day and that the spill may be more environmentally harmful than originally thought.
President Barack Obama has declared the spill a “potentially unprecedented environmental disaster.” The impact is expected to be felt especially hard by the region’s $2.4 billion fishing industry. Already, large areas of ocean have been closed to fishing. Tourism could also be affected, presenting a potential economic blow to the resorts and vacation spots that dot the coasts of Texas, Louisiana and Florida.
The region’s personal injury attorneys are concerned about the environmental an economic impact of this potentially devastating environmental disaster. If you would like to learn more about your rights as an oil spill victim, contact one of the area’s attorneys, such as a BP oil spill Pensacola lawyer, to discuss your situation. A skilled attorney can help you determine whether legal action is appropriate for you.