Gulf Coast Commercial Fisherman: Does the Oil Pollution Act Protect You?

Gulf Coast commercial fishermen have been in a precarious position since the April 20, 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon explosion. As unprecedented amounts of oil seep into the Gulf waters their very livelihood is threatened, and they have no control over the spill response, the oil cleanup, or the effect of the oil on the marine life.

Alaskan commercial fishermen faced a similar problem after the Exxon Valdez disaster of 1989. Many never recovered.

Current maritime law, however, provides legal options for compensation to Gulf Coast commercial fishermen-options that were unavailable to Alaskan fishermen in 1989. In response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was passed. The Oil Pollution Act protects people, such as commercial fishermen, who have suffered business interruptions due to oil spills but whose physical property was not damaged. Commercial fishermen and others in similar situations can now make financial claims against the party responsible for the oil spill, either by filing a claim with the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund or by suing the responsible party in federal court.

The New Jersey and New York maritime lawyers of Hofmann & Schweitzer are committed to helping commercial fishermen recover from the Gulf Coast oil spill  Please contact one of our New York or New Jersey  commercial fishing attorneys today for a free consultation about your case.