Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill Legal Implications And Lawsuits
The oil spill emanating from the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico at a drilling site operated by British Petroleum (BP) has led, and will continue to lead to potentially massive legal liability for the responsible parties. Thus far, in addition to BP, some of the potentially responsible players appear to be:
1) Transocean. It is the offshore drilling contractor that owned and leased the now sunken oil rig platform (Deepwater Horizon) to BP for around $500,000 per day. BP has pointed the finger saying that the explosion happened on a rig owned, operated and managed by Transocean.
2) Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Yes, our old friend is back in the limelight (or lowlight). It performed drilling services that may have led to the blowout explosion.
3) Cameron International Corp. It manufactured the blowout preventer, which is the fail-safe device that apparently failed to function adequately or appropriately and led to the explosion. Media publications have reported that Cameron has $500 million in liability insurance to cover claims against it.
The list of potential victims includes:
1) Fishermen, oyster harvesters, shrimpers;
2) Companies and individuals in seafood processing and packaging;
3) Tourism industry including charter, commercial and private boats, condos, restaurants, marinas and docks;
4) Private property owners; and
5) City, county, parish state and federal governments.
Indeed, commercial fishermen, shrimpers, charter boat operators, resort owners, vacationers and beachfront property owners have already filed lawsuits.
The environmental and ecological disaster that could transpire from this could be mammoth. If so, the companies listed above are sure to be called to account.
