Environmental Impact

Many injuries and fatalities were caused by the BP oil spill and environmentally the damages are still being assessed by scientists and environmental advocacy groups.

Two days after the Deepwater Horizon explosion a leak was found at the old rig site which would eventually spill approximately 210 million gallons of oil into the Gulf Coast until it was finally controlled months later.

Oil washed up along the shores of multiple states including:

• Louisiana
• Florida
• Alabama
• and parts of Texas

Eventually the oil was contained and dispersants, such as a Corexit, were used in clean-up efforts. Unfortunately the spill and clean-up process proved to be hazardous for much of the environment in the area.

If you or a loved one was impacted by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill of 2010, our lawyers can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve whether you suffered injuries, property damage, health problems, and more.

For a free evaluation of your claims, fill out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form to your left or call us today at 888-CLAIM-68 (888-25246-68).

Effects to the Immediate Environment

The impact to the wildlife is widely known as news outlets publicized how animals living in the Gulf Coast were directly impacted by the oil spill. However, their habitats were also deeply affected as many of these animals were immersed in oil where they once called home.

Wetlands, marsh, coastal areas, and even the air were polluted with many contaminants. According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), approximately 1,050 miles of beach and wetlands were contaminated by oil.

The NWF believes that without proper restoration an additional 1,750 miles of coastal land could be lost by the year 2060.

One of the biggest environmental impacts seen was in coral colonies as oil turned once brightly colored coral into black and brown coral. Scientists believe that the coral colonies are experiencing a slow death with loose tissue, heavy mucus and brown fluffy material covering the corals. The oil spill affected deep sea corals as far as 7 miles away.

The environmental impact of the oil spill is a big concern because of how it will affect wildlife as well. Deep sea coral is an important habitat for many types of fish, shrimp, and sea turtles.

Coral reefs can take hundreds of years to grow and the damage seen in the gulf coast means it will also take hundreds of years for these coral reefs to recover.

Effect of Clean-Up Efforts on the Environment

During gulf coast clean-up efforts approximately 2 million gallons of toxic dispersants were used and the NWF believe it may have killed different portions of vegetation throughout the area. The clean-up efforts might have also accelerated land erosion thus converting land to water much quicker than anticipated.

Further studies are being conducted to find out how the chemicals used affected clean-up crews after some people were experiencing physical and behavioral side-effects.

Contact Our Oil Spill Attorney Today

One of the most difficult parts of the oil spill clean-up has been figuring out how much of the environment and wildlife was affected. Many scientists note that it could take decades for all the effects to be seen as the spill and clean-up efforts caused ripple effects in the ecosystem.

If you or anyone you know was affected by the BP Oil Spill, our knowledgeable attorneys can provide comprehensive legal counsel for your situation. At the Arguello Law Firm we are dedicated to doing what’s right and believe that those who were at fault for the BP Oil Spill should be held accountable for their actions.

Our main office is located in Houston, Texas but we are dedicated to assisting those who were negatively affected by the oil spill in the following areas:

• Mobile, AL
• Pensacola, FL
• Biloxi, MS

…and many more surrounding gulf coast towns and cities. Contact us at 888-CLAIM-68 (888-25246-68) and one of our intake staff members will connect you with one of our knowledgeable lawyers to speak about your claim at no-charge and no-obligation to you.

You may also contact us online by filling out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form at the top left hand corner of this page – it’s 100% free and completely confidential.