The April 20, 2010, explosion and subsequent sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the largest accidental oil spill in history. The Deepwater Horizon disaster spilled approximately 4.9 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, killed 11 oil rig workers, devastated our nation’s natural resources and profoundly harmed the economic and emotional well-being of hundreds of thousands of people. The Dugan Law Firm has been representing people, families and businesses hurt by the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill since shortly after this disaster occurred. Our attorneys have helped those pursuing litigation and those needing help filing and negotiating their claims through the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF). We are now helping them file claims through the new claims program established by the recent class action settlement reached between BP and Plaintiffs Steering Committee (PSC). The Economic and Property Damage Settlement is being administered by the Deepwater Horizon Economic Claims Center (DHECC) and the program began operating on June 4, 2012. To date, over 200,000 claims have been filed with the new program.

Deepwater Horizon Settlement Oil Spill Claims

The Settlement covers certain property damage and economic loss claims related to the oil spill and is being fully funded by BP, with no cap on the amount BP will pay. Nearly all businesses and individuals located along the Gulf Coast (all counties/parishes in LA, MS and AL as well as select counties in TX and FL) are included as class members in the settlement program. Your income does not have to be generated directly from tourism, seafood or the Gulf in order to qualify. There is no requirement to conventionally prove that the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill caused your loss. The Settlement allows for an objective revenue test to establish causation. For example, if your a business and your monthly revenue trends follow certain prescribed patterns, then all financial losses during the applicable time periods are presumed to be caused by the oil spill. This settlement program is open to individuals and businesses that have experienced economic and property damages related (directly or indirectly) to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

The long-term damage from the oil spill is not yet fully evident. It may be months or years more before tourism and other industries along the Gulf Coast return to pre-oil-spill levels. Make no mistake – this has affected Louisiana’s economy in general, in addition to the thousands of people it impacts directly on a daily basis through the loss of income—both personal income or business income. It is important that you protect your rights and make sure you and your claim are given the consideration it deserves. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge and experience with the formulas and methodologies used to adjust oil spill claims.

We currently represent hundreds of claimants including commercial fishermen, coastal property owners, business owners, individual wage earners, and vessel of opportunity (“VoO”) workers with their oil spill claims. Examples of eligible businesses are below, but many more businesses are now eligible to file claims:

• Restaurants
• Marinas
• Rental Property Owners
• Retail Stores
• Golf Courses
• Hotels
• Medical & Dental
• Practices
• Construction Companies
• Engineering Firms
• Commercial Fisherman
• Seafood Distributors
• Charter Fishing Guides
• Tourist Attractions

Our experienced lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have regarding a BP oil spill economic loss claim. We can help you file a new claim, reevaluate a past claim to determine if you qualify for further compensation or re-file a claim after you have been denied. Our Oil Spill Attorneys will fight to help you obtain the full amount of compensation you are entitled to under the new settlement program. To date, The Dugan Law Firm has settled over $85 million for our oil spill clients.