Lawsuits Claiming BP Oil Spill Damaged Property, Business and Tourism

Birmingham, ALWhile a number of lawsuits have been launched on behalf of those killed or injured in the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon, the greater legal liability appears to center on how far the oil slick spreads and the lives and livelihoods it touches. The impact of the BP oil spill on property values, tourism and business is incalculable.


A growing number of individuals whose property values have been negatively impacted are launching lawsuits—especially in the tourism industry. Earlier this month a Shelby man and a Jefferson County company, owners of rental property in Gulf Shores, have filed a federal lawsuit in US District Court in Birmingham against BP Products North America Inc., Transocean Ltd. as well as several related companies and contractors.

According to the 5/5/10 edition of the Birmingham News, the lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence with respect to their response to the disaster, "downplaying the nature, size and extent of the leak and failing to employ adequate responders and / or equipment in the field to control the oil slick."

Property values have dropped as a result. ''Plaintiffs have similarly and will continue to suffer economic losses and other damages to include loss of rents and loss of use,'' the lawsuit states.

A spokesperson for the legal firm involved noted that more than one rental property has been adversely affected by the spill, resulting in rental cancellations.

The Gulf Coast is a Mecca for tourists all year round, and those in the tourism industry operate a host of facilities and services to accommodate those attracted by the fresh Gulf air, the tropical climate, the ecosystem, beaches and water. Few tourists will want to travel to an area where they cannot swim or traverse beach or waterfront shoreline without rubber boots.

Safety is also a factor. It has been reported that many of the volunteers involved with the clean-up from the Exxon Valdez oil spill two decades ago still have lingering health issues. Those recruited for the clean-up of this latest spill are carefully advised to wear the proper clothing to conduct the clean-up operation in such a manner as minimizes risks to their health.

Potential visitors to waterfront resorts will have equal concerns.

The BP oil spill lawsuit filed in Birmingham is proposed as a class action in an effort to cover those claiming similar damages from the BP crude oil spill. Three other proposed class actions have been filed on behalf of marinas, restaurants and boat dealerships. In the month since the explosion and fire aboard the Deepwater Horizon, a growing number of lawsuits have originated in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida on behalf of individuals and businesses allegedly harmed by the disaster.