Parker Waichman LLP

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Larger than Thought, Environmental Disaster Looms

More oil is leaking from the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, and officials now say the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is five times bigger than first thought. According to a report in The New York Times, a scientist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that 5,000 […]

More oil is leaking from the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, and officials now say the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is five times bigger than first thought. According to a report in The New York Times, a scientist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that 5,000 barrels a day, not 1,000 as first stated, is leaking from the stricken well.

If the new estimates are correct, the slick could match the 11 million gallons that spilled during the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster in a scant two months.

There’s even more bad news. According to an Associated Press report, a third leak from the well has been discovered, and the spill may be closer to shore than expected. Officials also fear that BP, the operator of the well, is not well equipped to contain the spill.

The operation to contain the oil is becoming desperate, the Associated Press said, as fears grow that the massive oil slick will reach the U.S. Gulf Coast tomorrow. Now the military may be called in to help contain the spill.

If the spill reaches the coast, it could be both environmentally and economically devastating to the states it impacts. According to a Bloomberg report, the Louisiana coast, for example, includes 3 million acres of wetlands that serve as a nursery for game fish such as speckled trout and red drum, and are currently nurturing the brown shrimp crop to be harvested by the state’s fishing fleet.

Louisiana’s seafood industry brings in annual retail sales of about $1.8 billion, while its sports fishing industry nets the state about $1 billion in sales every year. But the oil spill could cause long-term damage to the state’s marshes, severely damaging both industries. The marshes also are home to 5 million migratory birds, along with alligators, turtles and other species, Bloomberg said.

According to The New York Times, BP’s efforts to use the well’s blowout preventer – a set of valves designed to seal off the well in the event of a sudden pressure release to stop the leaking – has not worked. Yesterday, crews began corralling and burning some concentrated oil to try to keep it from reaching the coast. According to The Times, a small section was ignited yesterday afternoon and deemed a success. But weather and other conditions could impact how well the operation works in the long run.

As concerns about BP’s ability to handle the oil spill grew yesterday, the U.S. government offered the company military assistance. On the NBC Today show this morning, a BP official said the company would welcome the help.

According to the Associated Press, a spokesperson for a U.S. military base in Colorado Springs, Colo., that provides support to civil authorities during natural disasters said BP has not requested the defense department’s help to contain the leak. However, the official said the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base were anticipating the request.

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
Great company. If you really want to win your case - they will do it for you. Very professional.
Andre Kras
8 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
PARKER WAICHMAN LLP, Excellent Professionals with experiences and very kind, and in particular I want to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Jorge Peniche for helping with all my questions and being in constant communication regarding my case. We won it!!! and without a doubt I recommend them
Yosselyn Castillo
3 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I can't thank Yesenia and the team at Parker Waichman for helping me with my case. I was treated with the most professional help and respect. I can't thank them enough for handling everything without ease and always keeping me updated on my case. This was my first case dealing with lawyers and Yesenia guided me and was very knowledgable. Thank you again to her and everyone at Parker Waichman!
Perry Shum
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