BP Oil Rig Explosion/Leak

Louisiana BP Oil-Spill Claim Centers

Published on: May 17, 2010 | By Berniard Law Firm

Before filing a claim, individuals looking for relief due to oil leak damages (both to their property and for lost wages) must call 1-800-440-0858. After reporting their claim to that number and following the directions therein, individuals may then go to a Oil-Spill Claim Center for assistance in receiving compensation. For those looking to make an oil spill claim against BP for the April 20th explosion of the Deepwater Horizon, here is the contact and filing locales in Jefferson Parish:

Grand Isle Community Center, 3811 Louisiana 1, Grand Isle

Jean Lafitte Town Hall, 2607 Jean Lafitte Blvd., Jean Lafitte

What Do Commercial Fishermen Boat Owners need for an Oil Spill Claim?

Published on: May 17, 2010 | By Berniard Law Firm

In the wake of the BP oil spill that has sent the Gulf Coast into a state of panic, a variety of individuals that derive their livelihood from waterways that may soon be immersed in crude are becoming concerned with how they will continue to stay afloat financially. There is, however, a means in which claims may be made to compensate those who have been affected by the disaster. Oil Spill Losses must be made within three years after the date on which the damage and its connection with the spill was reasonably discoverable with the exercise of due care. This may seem to be an easy process but great care must be taken when submitting the claim in order to prevent a dismissal based solely upon it being improperly filed.

The process for making a claim has a list of requirements that, when completed, will profile the harms faced and damages incurred. Basically, for the owner of Commercial Fishermen operations in Terrebonne, St. Bernard, Jefferson, Lafourche and Plaquemines Parish, once they are aware of their losses they must present their claims to the responsible parties within three years of that time. In this case, fishermen must submit their claim to BP as owners of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

Certain information is required for all claimants with oil spill losses. Such basic requirements for all oil spill claims are

Attorney Jeffrey Berniard Tours Damon Bankston Ship at Port Fourchon

Published on: May 10, 2010 | By Berniard Law Firm

On Friday afternoon, Jeffrey P. Berniard of the New Orleans-based Berniard Law Firm, LLC, conducted an on-deck inspection of the 263-foot cargo ship, Damon Bankston, which is leased by BP. The ship was used to return some of the rescued crewmembers of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig to BP’s Fourchon Dock Facility after the rig exploded and sank into the Gulf. Seventeen rig workers were injured in the explosion, and eleven workers remain missing and are presumed dead. Mr. Berniard participated in the viewing because he represents numerous plaintiffs who have been affected by the incident. The inspection occurred prior to the ship being cleaned and returned to service in support of ongoing efforts to contain the oil spill. The catastrophe has resulted in the release of more than 200,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf each day since April 20.

Mr. Berniard is well known in the Louisiana legal community as an expert in personal injury cases and suits against negligent companies. With knowledge regarding the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), a federal law passed in 1990 in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989, his legal representation would help advance anyone affected by the incident. The OPA, though little known to many general-practice attorneys, will play a critically important role in the litigation over the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Assigning liability will be particularly challenging given that numerous companies such as BP, Transocean Ltd., Cameron International Corp., and Halliburton Energy Services were involved in the drilling project. In recognition of his expertise and trial experience, Mr. Berniard has been invited to deliver a Continuing Legal Education seminar on the OPA and legal matters regarding this incident to area attorneys in the coming months.

Additionally, Mr. Berniard is highly regarded for his skills in complex litigation, including class-actions. He is noted for his efforts to help Louisiana families impacted by defective Chinese Drywall, and in 2009 gave a lecture on the topic at a Continuing Legal Education seminar in New Orleans. Also, following Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Berniard recovered over $45 million in uncompensated damages for his clients.