On April 20, 2010 an explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon, an oil-drilling rig working on a well one mile below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, has led to one of the largest oil spills in the history of the United States. After multiple attempts to plug the leak, government and BP company officials say oil will likely continue flowing until a relief well is in place to cut off the oil leak. This is expected to take place sometime in August.
The government estimated that between 12,000 and 25,000 barrels a day of oil were escaping, but later adjusted the estimate to a rate of 25,000 to 30,000 barrels a day. A containment cap put in place in early June began collecting 15,000 barrels of oil a day, even though much of the oil continued to flow through valves on the cap that had not been closed.
Up to the end of May, the oil making landfall from the disaster was in Louisiana. But in June, tar balls and oil mousse began to reach the shores of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Of all the states affected so far, Florida has the most to lose. Tourism is the largest industry, generating 60 billion U.S. dollars in spending of more than 80 million visitors a year, in 21 percent of all state sales taxes and using nearly 1 million people.
The Gulf Oil Spill can affect the state of Florida in many different ways. Damages to property, loss of business, and an obvious drop in tourism are just a few things that Floridians are dealing with. Seafood restaurants are already being directly affected due to a decrease in fresh Gulf seafood.
As of today, the East Coast of Florida has not felt the real impact of the Gulf Oil Spill Crisis, but when the oil spill reaches our shores it will affect our wildlife, our local businesses, our residents, and our way of life.
Roselli & Associates Personal Injury Attorneys is prepared to help anyone who has suffered damages from the Gulf Oil Spill. We have experience with Class Action Lawsuits and can help you with any claims. If you are a business owner that has suffered loss of income due to the Oil Spill Crisis, Roselli & Associates can help you file a claim. If you are a clean–up worker who has suffered any injuries working with the oil spill, you might be entitled to compensation by BP as a result of Gulf Oil Spill.
Roselli & Associates is committed to helping our community through this crisis. Please contact one of our personal injury lawyers in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to help you with your personal injury claims.