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Since the “Deepwater Horizon” oil rig burst into flames on April 20, 2010, an estimated 1.47 to 2.5 million gallons of oil have been spewing into the Gulf of Mexico each day. The latest estimates also suggest that the total amount of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico has reached approximately 79 to 144 million gallons. This is 8 times the amount of oil spilled in the infamous Exxon Valdez accident, making the BP oil spill the largest in U.S. history. Moreover, the relief well, which BP believes could bring an end to the disaster, is not expected to be completed until August. This means that even the most optimistic reports have the oil catastrophe continuing till the end of the summer.
Before the BP Oil Spill, the Gulf Coast was considered the number one destination for Americans that fish, swim, dive, and otherwise enjoy the areas beaches, coastal wetlands, and shores. Today, tourists and frequent visitors are avoiding the region due to the devastating effects the oil has had on the area’s wildlife, beaches, and coastlines. It is estimated that the region will suffer no less than 4 billion dollars of economic loss as a result of the oil spill. Businesses in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, dependent on tourism and/or the environment, are suffering immense financial losses and property damage.
Since April 20, 2010, it has become increasingly clear that the BP oil disaster could have been avoided. The oil spill occurred due to BP’s blatant disregard for safety. From the beginning, the company had admitted that the Macondo Oil Well presented “very large abnormalities;” nonetheless, BP rushed to finish the job at the expense of safety precautions. In fact, BP has a long history of willfully committing safety violations in order to cut down on costs. BP’s negligent actions have brought immeasurable damage to the environment and the American people, and according the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, BP is 100% responsible for doing everything in their power to fix the disaster they have caused.
On June, 16, 2010, President Obama announced that BP Oil agreed to set aside 20 billion dollars for victims of economic loss. However, businesses are rightfully concerned over the possibility that BP Oil will attempt to negotiate unfair terms of loss and payments in an attempt to minimize their own corporate losses. In order to prevent unfair settlements, Babbitt, Johnson, Osborne, & Leclainche is now accepting cases against BP Oil. Babbitt, Johnson, Osborne, & Leclainche believes that BP should be held accountable for their negligent, selfish actions and that just compensation should be rewarded to those who have suffered.
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