BP Oil Spill Lawsuit Update

On April 20^th, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, instantly killing 10 workers and causing environmental destruction on a scale rarely seen in human history. Operated by BP (British Petroleum) and owned by Transocean Ltd, Deepwater Horizon was one of the world’s most sophisticated offshore drilling rigs, primarily working these oil fields: Macondo (40 miles off the coast of Louisiana), Atlantis (130 miles off the coast of Louisiana) and Thunder Horse (150 miles southeast of New Orleans). The explosion caused the largest offshore oil spill in US history, and it is considered the worst environmental disaster in US history. The resulting legal action, which included criminal charges like manslaughter, saw BP and, to a lesser extent, Transocean pay billions in fines, compensation, and cleanup costs. BP’s total bill exceeded $65 billion, and the company – one of the largest in the world – almost went bankrupt. Almost 13 years later, the fight for individuals to get justice goes on. Indeed, the BP oil spill lawsuits cover more than just those immediately impacted by the disaster. Lawsuits have been filed by those who suffered injuries during the cleanup.

• January 1, 2025 - $24 million in oil spill funds to benefit birds, water quality in coastal Alabama.
• December 1, 2024 - Plains All American agrees to pay about $73 million to settle California oil spill lawsuit.
• November 1, 2024 - Deepwater Horizon oil spill - Summary, Effects, Cause, Clean Up, & Facts.
• October 1, 2024 - Vincent Culliver, a Pensacola man with cancer after oil spill clean up, sues BP
• September 1, 2024 - U.S. Military Planes "Crop Dusted the Workers" During BP Oil Spill Clean Up
• August 1, 2024 - Harris' record as California AG hints at aggressive approach to polluters.
• July 1, 2024 - BP oil spill update.
• June 1, 2024 - Officials say: Source of oil leak into Galveston Bay following barge collision has been contained.
• May 1, 2024 - Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing.
• April 1, 2024 - Bucks County, PA today filed a lawsuit against several major oil companies, charging that these titans of the fossil fuel industry have for decades intentionally deceived the public about their chief product’s role in accelerating the climate crisis.
• March 1, 2024 - Chicago has sued BP, Chevron Shell, ConocoPhillips Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and the American Petroleum Institute over their role in climate change.
• February 1, 2024 - New report aims to streamline process of obtaining BP oil spill funds.
• January 1, 2024 - Are oil firms settlements with Cameron Parish worth billions? Protective order hides details.
• December 1, 2023 - Third Coast Infrastructure in Houston has stopped leaking. The US oil spill is estimated to be the biggest since BP Deepwater Horizon.
• November 1, 2023 - A program to assist stranded dolphins and other marine mammals is leading to dramatically improved response times with help from BP oil spill money.
• October 1, 2023 - California has sued oil companies for allegedly downplaying the risks of fossil fuels. The state filed a civil lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Shell as well as Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP.
• August 1, 2023 - 13 years after Deepwater Horizon oil spill, BSEE director talks industry regulation, critical gaps.
• July 1, 2023 - US government tightens regulations on chemicals used in oil spill cleanup.
• June 1, 2023 - People got sick after oil spilled in the Gulf. Secret Florida warehouses may contain clues.
• May 1, 2023 - They cleaned up BP's massive oil spill. Now they are sick and want justice.
• April 1, 2023 - Thousands of people still have no money a decade after victims settled the BP Oil Spill lawsuit.
• March 1, 2023 - Cleanup workers, who became ill following the oil spillage are suing BP after Deepwater Horizon for compensations.
• February 19, 2023 - After the Deepwater Horizon oil spillage, Florida workers became sick. They demand BP to pay. The hopes of cleanup workers for compensation, more than a decade after 2010's oil spillage, are rapidly fading.

Thirteen years on from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the impact is still being felt by some. The initial death toll of 10 people killed rose to 11 not long after the initial explosion. However, the extent of the damage caused by the oil spill led to widespread economic damage and health consequences. Maritime sectors, fishing, tourism, and many other industries were negatively impacted, and there were many injuries and health risks caused by those involved in the cleanup or who live and work in proximity to the disaster epicenter. Today, the latter remains the focus of the lawsuits against BP. In the summer of 2022, a report by Fox News highlighted that BP was still facing hundreds of lawsuits for the oil spill, despite the company trying to draw a line in the sand with its compensation payouts and fines. Moreover, new BP oil spill lawsuits are still being filed. One of the reasons for this lag in the litigation is that some of the potential injuries caused by the oil spill, such as cancer, might take years to show up after exposure to toxic substances.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was one of the most significant environmental disasters of the 21^st century so far, prompting rolling news coverage at the time. As the operator of the rig, BP received most of the scrutiny and braced itself to pay the bulk of the costs. It was – and still is – complicated, however, as there were other stakeholders involved, including Deepwater Horizon’s owner Transocean, oil-rig contractors, as well as insurance companies employed by both BP and Transocean. Indeed, BP itself launched a $40 billion lawsuit against Transocean a year after the disaster. That detail is important today, as there are still arguments over who should foot the bill for past and future Deepwater Horizon lawsuits.

The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20^th, 2010. It took around 36 hours for the rig itself to sink to the ocean floor. However, the aftermath of the BP Oil Spill 2010 continued to the summer of that year, with the oil spill finally closed by a cap in mid-July 2010. The oil spill lasted for 87 days in total, although the environmental impact continues to this day. 

Deepwater Horizon exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, located at the time in the Macondo oil prospect, around 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. The BP Oil Spill Gulf of Mexico was expansive, however, not only affecting coastlines in the United States but also as far away as Mexico.

As mentioned, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill payout litigation was complicated, involving court battles lasting over several years. Not only were there multiple parties involved, but the disaster led to a complex web of economic damage over time. As an example, the Gulf of Mexico oyster farming industry took a huge hit, losing up to 8 billion adult oysters from the market at the time, but with problems still being felt in the sector over a decade later. The point, as such, is that it was difficult to work out where and how oil spill payout money should be administered. However, the headline takeaway is that BP paid a record civil settlement of $20.8 billion, as well as other multibillion-dollar payouts after the disaster. While BP hopes to move away from Deepwater Horizon payouts, Gulf of Mexico oil spill lawyers are still launching cases against the petroleum giant in order to secure compensation for those affected. BP’s payout bill to date is estimated to stand at over $65 billion.

Some of the most recent BP oil spill compensation claims and lawsuits have involved workers who have suffered health problems after participating in the cleanup operations. Again, this has been a complicated process as many of these workers were employed by specialist companies that require customized insurance arrangements for their employees, given the hazardous nature of the job. Many of these workers reached a settlement with BP, although some chose to sue BP individually. Others took the settlement but decided to pursue litigation after new health problems came to light. This is known as a BELO (Back-End Litigation Option), which can be pursued if new health diagnoses are made after a compensation settlement has been agreed.

One of the worrying trends about the long-term impact of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the cancer risk to those living and working close to the disaster area. Indeed, it’s important to note that the cancer risk is not just due to the oil spill but the chemical dispersants used in the cleanup operation. A 2011 study found that of the 57 chemicals found and tested, five had a link with cancer. Many of the individual lawsuits taken against BP in recent times are from those who have developed cancers, including prostate cancer.

The first wave of lawsuits against BP and other companies involved with Deepwater Horizon was a complex and, at times, unprecedented litigation process, one that resulted in the largest environmental fine in US history. Parts of the litigation were enacted through class action lawsuits, whereas BP also faced lawsuits from the federal and local governments. As to the current BP lawsuits, most are being dealt with by lawyers on an individual basis. It’s too early to say whether the cases will be grouped together in a class action or mass tort lawsuit.

Well over a decade after the Deepwater Horizon incident, there are many people who believe they have not received justice for the actions of BP and other vested parties. We know, for example, that in the aftermath of the oil spill, there have been studies showing long-term health problems among coastal communities around the Gulf of Mexico, and there are still economic consequences for the fisheries industry and those who live in coastal regions of the area. Are you eligible for a BP oil spill lawsuit claim? Below, we have broken down potential claimants into five categories:

Personal Injury Claims

As highlighted earlier, there have been studies showing long-term health issues for people who live and work around areas impacted by the BP oil spill of 2010, which include cancer, neurological and breathing problems and conditions of the stomach, skin and eyes. Claimants may be eligible to file suits against BP to help with medical bills, loss of earnings, and to gain compensation for any injuries. This extends to residents of coastal communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas

Economic Claims (Commercial Fishing)

The fisheries industry was devastated by the Deepwater Horizon disaster, with billions of fish, oysters, shrimp, and other commercial seafood products lost immediately and stocks damaged long-term. Anyone with a viable claim on having their livelihood damaged by the oil spill may be eligible for compensation.

Economic Claims (Property)

While the disaster happened 40 miles from the coastline, the resultant oil spill and pollutant damage to homes, boats, and other properties on the coastlines was extensive. People who have damaged property linked to the oil spill might be able to claim compensation from BP.

Cleanup Workers Claims

As previously discussed, many workers involved in cleaning up the oil spill have been diagnosed with health problems. Many of them continue to sue BP and cleanup contractors for injuries. If you were involved in the cleanup operation, even as a volunteer, you may be eligible to start a BP oil spill lawsuit.

Oil Rig Workers Claims

There were 126 people on the Deepwater Horizon rig when it exploded. Of that number, eleven sadly died as a direct result of the explosion. It is possible that former Deepwater Horizon workers could have unforeseen health consequences, and they may be able to pursue compensation.

When was the BP oil spill?

The BP oil spill occurred on April 20^th, 2010. The spill lasted for more than two months, until it was contained in mid-July 2010.

What caused the BP oil spill?

The oil spill was caused by the explosion of Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig that was located about 40 miles from Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.

How much did BP oil spill cost?

It is estimated that the oil spill and lawsuits cost BP over $65 billion. BP could be forced to pay more to settle new oil spill lawsuits in the future. Estimates say that the total cost of the disaster to the wider economy was about $144 billion.

How much oil was spilled in the BP oil spill?

Around 130 million gallons – the equivalent of 3.19 million barrels – of oil was spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.  

Where was the BP oil spill?

The explosion occurred at the Macondo oil prospect well in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill spread for many more miles across, impacting communities, especially coastal communities, in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere.

How could the BP oil spill be prevented?

BP and other contractors were criticized for trying to cut costs that impacted safety measures for Deepwater Horizon. Investigators found widespread flaws in the management of the rig, with a particular focus on rig safety. The same investigation also criticized government regulators for failing to carry out adequate safety checks and enforcement policies.

How did the BP oil spill affect the environment?

The BP oil spill is considered one of the most devastating environmental disasters in history, decimating marine life, coastal areas, and natural habitats in and around the Gulf of Mexico.

How many people died in the BP oil spill?

There were 11 fatalities directly related to the Deepwater Horizon explosion. It is not known how many people died due to the impact of the oil spill and cleanup operations.