Find Answers To Your Questions By Searching Here:

Maritime Accident News

Government files Gulf oil spill suit against BP and other companies

Posted on Dec 16, 2010

The Obama Administration filed suit Wednesday in New Orleans federal court against BP Plc and four additional companies for allegedly violating environmental laws in the Gulf oil spill. The federal government claims 205 million gallons of oil poured into the Gulf of Mexico from the Macondo Well disaster, making it the largest offshore spill in the country’s history.

The suit seeks unspecified damages under the Clean Water Act which allows the government to ask for up to $1,100 in civil fines per barrel spill; up to $4,300 per barrel can be sought in certain circumstances. Also being sought is a declaration of liability requiring that four of the defendants are responsible for the total removal costs and damages from the spill, including to the environment.

Also named in the suit are Transocean Ltd., which owned the Deepwater Horizon platform that exploded on April 20, 2010; Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC, which were part owners of the Macondo well that ruptured; and QBE Insurance Group Ltd., which was Transocean’s insurer.

Halliburton Co., which supplied cement to plug the well, was not named in the lawsuit. However, other claims and defendants could be added later, said Attorney General Eric Holder.

Source: Bloomberg

Learn your rights as a seaman by ordering free copy of The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case written by Jones Act and maritime accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom.

Maritime Work is Dangerous

Our maritime lawyers realize that maritime work can be dangerous when companies cut corners on safety. That's why we've dedicated our time to putting out free information for workers.