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CASEY GERRY SCHENK FRANCAVILLA BLATT & PENFIELD, LLP
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Original Post

Possibly the Largest Oil Spill in Decades is Poised to Wreak Havoc off the Louisiana Coast
Possibly the largest oil spill in decades, is poised to wreak havoc off the coast of Louisiana. 

In fact, the situation in the Gulf of Mexico is deteriorating rapidly.

SkyTruth,a group that investigates environmental incidents, used satellite imagery and Coast Guard aerial photos to estimate that the damaged well is gushing about1.1 million gallons a day.  At that rate, it could quickly eclipse the 11million gallons leaked from the Exxon Valdez in Alaska, to date the worst U.S.oil spill in history.

Fears of irreparable damage to the region's delicate ecosystem  -- as well as the area's robust fishing industry -- are rampant.  A federal class action lawsuit was already filed on behalf of two commercial shrimpers, and more lawsuits are undoubtedly in the wings.

After a BP rig exploded, oil began gushing into the Gulf, rapidly encroaching on the Louisiana shoreline and its fragile marshland.

BP,as the leaseholder holds primarily responsibility for the cleanup, and is prepared to pay for the costs.


According to environmental experts, the spill is spreading rapidly as fisherman and clean up crews mobilize and rush to the scene.

This unfortunate situation recalls a similar scenario in 1989, when a massive oil spill ensued following the crash of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker. Casey Gerry was the only San Diego law firm involved with that historic case, which included claims from more than 32,000 people, among them fishermen, businesses,processors, natives and others.   The Exxon vessel ran aground on Bly Reef in Prince William Sound, spilling millions of  gallons of oil in one of the most pristine fishing environments in the world. 

In 1994, after a four-month trial, a jury awarded a class of 32,000 plaintiffs a verdict in excess of $5 billion. Ten years later, Federal Judge H. Russell Holland affirmed this verdict and ordered Exxon to pay $4.5 billion in damages as well as about $2.5 billion in interest.

Appeals by Exxon inevitably ensued and the Supreme Court ultimately slashed the damages, which were to be paid to plaintiffs to $500 million. 


The pristine Alaskan environment  impacted by that spill is still recovering-- more than 20 years later. Pockets of toxic oils  remain buried there,and wildlife still struggles to survive. 

Perhaps today, we can learn from our mistakes, and adequately compensate the fishermen whose livelihood is threatened by this latest disaster off of Louisiana. More importantly, we will efficiently and effectively clean up the gallons of oil which are threatening the abundant sea life in the Gulf Coast.

CASEY GERRY SCHENK FRANCAVILLA BLATT & PENFIELD, LLP