A commercial fisherman has brought a class action lawsuit against BP, Transocean, Cameron International Corporation, and Haliburton Energy Services to seek compensation and damages for destruction of local fishing businesses caused by the explosion and oil leak from oil drilling platform Deepwater Horizon.
On April 28, Brad Bradford of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, of Pensacola, Florida, along with Mat Richardson of Jackson, Foster, & Richardson, of Mobile, Alabama, filed suit on behalf of John T. Harris, a commercial fisherman from Panama City, in the Northern District of Florida Federal Court.
Harris has filed the suit individually and on behalf of commercial fishermen operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico are already suffering serious financial losses following the oil spill, and there appears to be no end in sight to this environmental catastrophe. Unless the leak is stopped and the spill quickly contained, Mr. Harris and other commercial fisherman like him face the stark prospect of losing their livelihood altogether.
With an estimated 200,000 gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf waters every day, it is only a matter of time until the spill reaches our beaches and wetlands. If that happens, the economic impact of the spill will extend far beyond marine wildlife and the fishing industry, harming coastal property owners, the tourism industry, and a myriad of others who supply them with goods and services. Sadly, the spill threatens to destroy the stretch of coastline often said to contain the “World’s Whitest Beaches” and all those that depend on it for their livelihood.
“It’s disturbing in an era of record profits, BP failed to use basic safety measures which could have prevented this disaster,” said Brad Bradford, law firm partner at Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz. “Details are emerging now that BP argued against stricter safety regulations for its oil rigs in the gulf and it failed to have a remote control shut off switch.”
“In addition to the unfortunate loss of life of at least 11 crewmen,” Bradford said, “we learned today over 200,000 gallons of oil is spilling into the Gulf waters every day. We are blessed to have the most beautiful beaches in the country. The impact to our tourism and fishing industry will be devastating.”
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For additional information about Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, and Overholtz visit www.AWKOlaw.com or contact Brad Bradford at 850-202-1010 or toll free at 888-255-2956.
About Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, and Overholtz:
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz is a Florida-based law firm geared towards protecting the rights of consumers who are seriously injured as a result of defective products, defective medical devices, accidents, or other negligent behavior. The lawyers representing Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz are licensed to practice law in eight states (FL, AL, MS, CO, NY, NJ, DC, VA), with associated counsel in all remaining states. Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz is a national leader in fighting for consumer justice.
Contact:
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, and Overholtz, PLLC
Brad Bradford, Partner
850-202-1010 or 888-255-2956
bbradford@awkolaw.com