Deepwater Horizon
On April 20, 2010 the $560 million BP-operated Deepwater Horizon exploded causing over 2.6 million gallons of crude oil to gush into the Gulf of Mexico each day until it was cut off on July 18, 2010.
The United States Government estimated more than 200 million gallons of crude oil poured into the Gulf of Mexico resulting in the worst oil spill in the history of the United States. During the explosion 11 people were killed and many were injured as the platform would begin to sink into the Gulf.
As weather conditions and ocean current continued during the spill, the gigantic oil slick would make its way towards land, and eventually cause millions of dollars in damages to the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
If you or a loved one has been affected by the Deep Horizon oil spill, the victim may be entitled to compensation for their losses and damages. At the Arguello Law Firm we believe it is the responsibility of the negligent party to pay for the losses and damages they have caused to innocent victims and their families.
For more information, simply fill out the “Free Case Review” form on this page – It’s 100% Free.
About the Deepwater Horizon
The Deepwater Horizon is an offshore oil drilling rig owned by Transocean and leased by British Petroleum. It was built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2001. The rig drilled the deepest oil well in the history of oil drilling in September 2009 which measured at a depth of 35,055 feet.
When the Deepwater Horizon exploded in 2010 while drilling at the Macondo Prospect, the oil ignited a fireball which was visible from 35 miles away. This explosion occurred during the final phase of drilling when a geyser of seawater erupted in the main riser of the oil rig and shot over 240 feet into the air.
The eruption of seawater would be followed by a combination of mud, methane gas, and water. The methane gas component of the material would cause a series of explosions which would turn into the large fireball. There was an attempt to put out the fire using the blowout preventer, which was issued four citations in 2003, and would fail to work. This resulted in a fire that was impossible to extinguish and ultimately caused the Deepwater Horizon to sink to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
Deepwater Horizon Citations
Throughout the lifetime of the Deepwater Horizon, it was cited five times for non-compliance, while four of these citations were in 2002 and the other was in 2003. The first four citations involved safety issues including the blowout preventer, which ultimately caused the demise of the Deepwater Horizon, while the fifth citation was issued due to pollution.
In 2007 another citation would be issued which was related to the non-grounding of electrical equipment, which would later be withdrawn when the equipment was found to comply with regulations.
Side-Effects of Oil Exposure
As a result of the oil spill, there were dozens of men and women who were both hired and volunteered to perform cleanup duties. These courageous men and women would begin to experience a host of physical ailments associated with being in direct contact with these large amounts of oil.
A few symptoms and conditions include:
- Depression
- Disorientation
- Headaches
- Gastro-Intestinal Conditions
- Memory Loss
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Skin Rashes
Many makeshift clinics were established near the coast to provide basic medical care, however the long-term effects of the exposure to oil, water vapors, and dispersants are manifesting in these individuals health reports. Studies are beginning to show potential side effects including cancers and birth defects.
The National Institute of Health has been conducting a study of over 54,000 individuals that were involved in the cleanup efforts to determine if they are suffering from health conditions due to exposure to the crude oil and dispersants.
Who is to Blame for this Event?
In most cases, BP PLC, Halliburton, and Transocean LTD are among the multiple companies that are taking blame for this tragic incident. These companies are expected to be held legally responsible for the economic damages, financial losses, and long term health problems that were suffered as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and oil spill.
As this enormous cleanup effort continues, the environmental and health issues will continue to be diagnosed and recorded for years to come.
Contact An Experienced Oil Spill Attorney
If you or someone you love has been affected by an oil spill, due to the negligence of another individual, the victim may be entitled to compensation including; medical expenses, property damage, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. By speaking with an experienced oil spill attorney, you may discover that you are eligible to receive the maximum compensation available.
At the Arguello Law Firm, our goal is to guard the rights of all citizens and help them to receive justice due to the negligent actions of other individuals or entities.
With our main headquarter in Houston, we are licensed to serve multiple areas across the United States.
Our locations include:
To discover more about how our oil spill attorneys may be able to assist you in the court of law, or to schedule a free no-obligation consultation, we welcome you to contact our firm at 888-CLAIM-68 (888-25246-68) where you will be greeted by a member of our intake staff who will take the information about your crash. They will then quickly connect you with one of our experienced oil spill lawyers fit to handle your case.
Begin now by completing the “Free Case Review” form on this page – It’s That Easy!