Parker Waichman LLP

Illness Among Exxon Valdez Workers Could Foreshadow Tragedy for BP Oil Spill Cleanup Crews

People working to cleanup the BP oil spill could very well face the prospect of long-term health problems. According to a report on CNN last night, cleanup workers from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill are still suffering health problems, 21 years later. A lawyer who represented on such Exxon Valdez worker told CNN that […]

People working to <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/gulf_oil_clean-up_workers_health_problems">cleanup the BP oil spill could very well face the prospect of long-term health problems. According to a report on CNN last night, cleanup workers from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill are still suffering health problems, 21 years later.

A lawyer who represented on such Exxon Valdez worker told CNN that One examination of health records of 11,000 Exxon Valdez cleanup workers found that 6,722 of them had gotten sick. The government and the company called those illnesses the “Exxon crud,” a flu or cold that Exxon was not required to report to federal health officials, CNN said.

One former Exxon Valdez cleanup worker interviewed by CNN said he was “slowly poisoned” by the toxins he was exposed to. Today, he continues to suffer from rashes, respiratory problems, and is going blind.

Of note, one of the dispersants used to break up the Exxon Valdez disaster included a variant of Corexit. Corexit is the dispersant BP has used during this disaster in unprecedented amounts. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)has identified the 2-butoxyethanol in Corexit to be a causal agent in the health problems experienced by cleanup workers after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. These ailments included respiratory, nervous system, liver, kidney and blood disorders.

Unfortunately, neither Exxon nor the government has conducted any long-term studies on the health problems experienced by those workers. However, an environmental activist who did study the Exxon Valdez disaster told CNN that cleanup workers in the Gulf are showing “the exact identical symptoms down here that we had 21 years ago.”

Exxon had asked the court to keep workers’ medical records under seal to protect their privacy, CNN said. But now, in the wake of the BP oil spill, some in Congress want to know more about the health consequences that followed the Exxon Valdez disaster. Earlier this month, House Energy and Commerce Committee asked ExxonMobil to turn over all records related to the health of workers who took part in the Alaskan cleanup. The company says it is reviewing the request.

So far the state of Louisiana has received 162 complaints of oil spill-related illnesses. Of those, 128 involve oil spill workers, and 21 have so far resulted in hospitalizations. Reported symptoms include dizziness, nausea and breathing issues. A report issued by the state in June said some of the workers reporting illnesses appear to have been exposed to fumes from dispersants that were deployed in the Gulf.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Thank you PW for everything you've done especially to the attorney Gerard Ryan and his team for listening, understanding, and bring resolution to the case. Many thanks and God Bless!!!
Mohammed S Rahman
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
It was great an professional experience! Really i recomend.
Santiago Lopez
4 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
My husband and I could never had gotten through the stress and anxiety of this process without the knowledge and kindness of the Parker Waichman staff but most certainly, not without the help of our paralegal, Christine Morace. She's not only knowledgeable but has been calming and reassuring throughout. Thank you Christine.
Iris Frank
4 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038