Gulf of Louisiana Oil Spill
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Damage Lawyer
On April 20, 2010, a tremendous explosion on an oil drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana left 11 dead and 17 injured. Two days later, the oil drilling platform known as the Deepwater Horizon sank into the Gulf of Mexico, just 52 miles offshore of Venice, Louisiana. The Deepwater Horizon was both longer and wider than a football field.
The Coast Guard conducted an extensive aerial search but was unable to find the 11 missing oil workers, later presumed dead, who were onboard the Deepwater Horizon when it was rocked by an immense explosion at 10pm on Tuesday, April 20. Officials said 126 people were onboard at the time of the explosion.
Deepwater Horizon Sinks, Results in Massive Oil Spill
When the platform sank into the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, oil began to pour out of the previously drilled wells at an alarming rate. Officials initially estimated about 42,000 gallons of oil were freely flowing into the ocean, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) determined that more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil has been gushing into the Gulf of Mexico every day, and has been since the explosion on April 20.
An investigation revealed the oil rig did not feature an acoustic switch, a device used to activate an emergency underwater shutoff valve that would have stopped the oil spill from spreading. As a result of this oversight, up to 4.2 million gallons of oil may flow into the ocean before relief workers can stem the flow.
By comparison, the Exxon Valdez—the worst oil spill in U.S. history—leaked 11 million gallons into Alaskan waters in 1989.
Property Damage, Environmental Dangers, and Economic Trouble Ahead
Louisiana’s $2.4 billion a year fishing industry is in serious peril. Louisiana provides a significant amount of the country’s seafood, as its waters prior to the spill were some of the most fertile on the planet.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency as the government sent in a fleet of vessels to help deal with the expanding oil spill. President Barack Obama dispatched aides to assist in the cleanup. The overall cleanup effort has been called “too little, too late” by many Louisiana residents.
The Deepwater Horizon explosion and resulting oil spill ranks among the worst offshore drilling disasters in U.S. history.
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If you've suffered property damage, loss of business, or loss of income, contact the lawyers at Dudley DeBosier right now. Call us or fill out a free online consultation form to learn what we can do to help you. We easily serve clients throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, including Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport, and New Orleans. Call (866) 897-8495 or fill out a free online consultation form and talk to a lawyer today.