Gulf County, Florida became the first governmental entity to retain Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman & McKee, part of a team of independent lawyers, to represent its interests in the BP DEEPWATER HORIZON catastrophe, announced Attorney Stuart H. Smith and Florida Attorney Bob McKee.
The independent team of lawyers is already representing commercial fisherman and environmental activists in the Gulf region.
Gulf County Commissioners decided Monday, May 17 to hire the firm because of its strong litigation capacity and solid foundation of knowledge in the field of marine disasters. Gulf County Commissioners made it clear that they were disturbed by BP’s lack of timely information on a county preparedness plan.
The independent team of lawyers is the first and only thus far to have won injunctive relief in court for commercial fisherman and citizens of the Gulf Coast against BP, protecting their legal rights and demanding proper training and protective equipment for individuals utilized by BP in the cleanup efforts.
Florida Attorney McKee said, “The area expected to be affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is much greater than for the Exxon Valdez spill, putting at risk multiple industries, including tourism and the Gulf fisheries. Louisiana’s fisheries alone are estimated to generate $2.4 billion in its various areas of activity. With Florida also at risk of being affected by the Deepwater Horizon spill, the economic losses due to the damage to fisheries and other shore business will likely dwarf that of the Exxon-Valdez spill. I encourage all of the victims, and potential victims, to be proactive in preparing for this storm of oil.”
Gulf County encompasses an area of 559 square miles and hosts more than 15,000 residents.
About Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman & McKee:
For more than 30 years, Krupnick Campbell Malone has represented people who have been injured due to the fault of others. The firm specializes in handling complex litigation matters across a full spectrum of matters, including – product liability, medical malpractice, environmental disasters, personal injury, and aviation, in the United States and abroad.
Stuart H. Smith of the law firm Smith Stag, LLC, New Orleans, Louisiana has assembled a team of independent lawyers from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to prosecute claims for those who have been affected by BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Commercial fishermen and shrimpers have filed a class-action lawsuit against BP and owners of the oil rig for economic losses stemming from the disaster. The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, April 28 in U.S. District Court in New Orleans. On Sunday, May 2, Judge Ginger Berrigan in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, after receipt of petition of Louisiana commercial fishermen, indicated the language in question in the Master Charter Agreement with BP was overbroad. Legal counsel for BP agreed to enter into a stipulated judgment holding that the offensive provisions are without effect.
More info:
www.smithstag.com
www.gulfoildisasterrecovery.com
