According to a recent online “newswire” Morgan and Morgan, a personal injury law firm with offices throughout Florida and the Southeast, is “currently reviewing BP oil spill claims” of members of the commercial fishing industry who have suffered economic losses as a result of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
As you know from the news various Gulf ishing grounds have been closed and boats have been docked due to the oil polluting the waters. Commercial fishermen, boat owners and captains, deckhands and others who depend on the Gulf waters for their livelihood and income are suffering economic losses and will remain at risk to additional losses for the indefinite future.
According to the law firm’s newswire commercial fishermen in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and other areas may be entitled to compensation for the financial losses they have suffered as a result of the BP oil spill under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which may make companies who are responsible for oil spills liable for the resulting economic harm and damages.
Potential claimants should probably first talk to their personal or business attorney before making a decision to join or forego joining any of the likely many class action lawsuits against BP / British Petroleum since joining or accepting a settlement from a class-action lawsuit can have a significant impact on an individual’s rights and remedies.
As always, it is and will continue to be important to carefully document all past, present and future losses that any individual or company claims is related to the spill. Documentation should include photographs, witness statements, all financial records (past versus present), and more. Consult with your lawyer about what evidence you should collect and preserve.