One of the most difficult challenges after an oil spill is to determine who has been affected and what steps to take. Though oil spills cause the most obvious damage to the ocean or beach, many other parties suffer serious damage as well. Oil spills are environmental hazards and affect a vast range of surrounding areas.
Arnold & Itkin knows this is a complex matter, especially when trying to prove a correlation. Though it may seem obvious to some, others will deny an oil spill had anything to do with the recent downfall of a certain business or natural habitat as the damage may not always be obvious. For instance, recent reports have shown the 2010 BP oil spill may have affected the health of fish that were eggs at the time of the accident. This in turn could affect the entire ecosystem.
The following are often severely affected by an oil spill:
From hotel owners to wildlife conservation volunteers, everyone in the community can be affected by an oil spill. The ocean, beach, and surrounding land will suffer a scar from the damaging oil-one that may never fully recover in some areas. Oil spills destroy tourism markets, they damage business success, and they damage a fishermen's ability to bring in profits. Most directly, oil spills endanger many wildlife species that are crucial to ecosystems.
Property value often drops, making it difficult for homeowners and real estate agents to stay afloat. Oil spills can even claim the lives of local workers and those who were nearby when the accident occurred. A community will struggle to get back on its feet after an oil spill, making it even more important that the companies involved are held responsible for supporting these communities. Contact Arnold & Itkin today to discuss your situation.
Arnold & Itkin represented nearly a third of the crewmembers injured in the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Because maritime law is so complex and so complicated, it is crucial that you work with an attorney who has an in-depth understanding of how it works and who has proven themselves in similar cases before.
