OYSTERMEN, ACTIVISTS SEEK INJUNCTION AGAINST OIL COMPANIES, SEEKING COURT-ORDERED CLEANUP FOR LOUISIANA WETLANDS AND WATERS

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Today, Louisiana commercial fisherman and the Louisiana Environmental Action Network are seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, against British Petroleum, Halliburton, Transocean, Anadarko Petroleum, MOEX Offshore, Cameron International, and their subsidiaries regarding on-going damages these corporations’ actions are causing to the wetlands, waters, commercial fisheries and wildlife of Louisiana.

According to the suit, the following is being sought from the Defendants:

a)         Declaratory judgment that Defendants are responsible for all damage to Louisiana’s wetland areas and waters caused by Defendants’ negligence;

b)         An injunction requiring removal of all oil from, and restoration of, Louisiana’s wetland areas and waters resulting from Defendants’ negligence;

c)         An injunction requiring comprehensive monitoring and testing of the waters of Louisiana that were impacted by oil as a result of Defendants’ negligence;

d)         An injunction requiring a long term abatement strategy and implementation to ensure recovery of Louisiana’s wetland areas and waters that were impacted by oil as a result of Defendants’ negligence; and

e)         An injunction requiring re-seeding of all oyster habitats in Plaquemines Parish and St. Bernard Parish which were impacted by oil as a result of Defendants’ negligence.

Attorney Stuart Smith, Val Exnicious, and Gladstone Jones are leading a team of independent lawyers7 with vast experience in these types of cases. The 11 involved law firms prosecuting claims for those impacted are from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

The suit does not make any financial claims at this time, said Attorney Smith. The named plaintiffs are Ray Vath, a Louisiana oysterman, and Mary Lee Orr, Director, Louisiana Environmental  Action Network Inc.

“We believe this event has the potential to be the largest environmental disaster in the history of America. Without any hesitation I can report that the lawyers from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida who have joined together are ready to protect the interests of all those who have suffered and will continue to suffer as a result of this most unfortunate event, and like all Americans, we hope BP stops the leak soon,” said Mr. Smith.

“We have worked with these lawyers for years on oil and gas issues. This is terrifying. People need to see the human, economic and environmental costs involved,” said Ms Orr.

The fisherman contend that 71 percent of all oysters consumed in the U.S. come from Louisiana oyster beds in the areas impacted by the oil spill caused by BP and its partners.

The lawsuit is attached. For comment contact:

C. BRYLSKI (504) 897-6110 (LOUISIANA PRESS)

J. OLDHAM (OUTSIDE LOUISIANA/ NATIONAL PRESS) 703-519-1283 (w) 571-296-7747 (c)  or  703 371 7143 (c)

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Stuart H. Smith is an attorney based in New Orleans fighting major oil companies and other polluters.
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