BP Oil Spill Cleanup Workers Left with Little Compensation Despite Court Settlement

The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico led to a massive cleanup effort involving tens of thousands of workers. These individuals were exposed to crude oil and chemical dispersants while working to mitigate the environmental devastation. BP later agreed to a medical claims settlement to compensate workers who became ill, but the effort has fallen far short of expectations.

Despite the court settlement, most of the cleanup workers have been left with almost nothing. The settlement has paid out only a tiny fraction of the billions BP has spent on restitution for economic and environmental damage. A single word in the agreement prevented many workers from receiving more than the minimum $1,300 each.

Thousands of workers who claimed lasting health effects from the spill have received little to no compensation. Most of the roughly 4,800 lawsuits seeking compensation for health problems have been dismissed due to the difficulty in proving that specific illnesses were caused by chemical exposure from the disaster. Efforts to establish a direct link between exposure and illness have faced significant challenges, with BP insisting on a high burden of proof.

John Maas, a Mississippi boat captain who helped with the cleanup, is likely the only sick worker to have prevailed in a lawsuit against BP. Maas developed health issues, including chemically induced asthma, after being exposed to the oil dispersant Corexit during the cleanup. He had to be persistent and lucky to reach a settlement, repeatedly switching law firms, finding the right expert, and pursuing his case in Tennessee. For months, he even represented himself, writing out legal filings by hand.

Experts have testified that Corexit can damage cells and cause scarring that narrows breathing tubes, and oil itself is known to cause a range of health issues, including skin irritation and cancer. However, most judges have sided with BP and dismissed the workers' claims, citing the high burden of proof demanded by the settlement.

Why this matters: The legacy of the Deepwater Horizon disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by cleanup workers in their quest for fair compensation and accountability. The flawed settlement process and legal challenges highlight the need for better protections and support for individuals who risk their health in response to environmental catastrophes.

As the legal battles continue, with some law firms appealing court decisions in hopes of establishing a lower burden of proof for toxic exposure cases, the majority of the BP oil spill cleanup workers remain without adequate compensation for their health issues. The settlement's shortcomings have left many of these individuals struggling with the long-term effects of their exposure to crude oil and dispersants, while BP has largely avoided responsibility for their medical claims.

Key Takeaways

• BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill led to a massive cleanup effort, exposing workers to hazards.
• BP's medical claims settlement has paid out only a tiny fraction of the promised compensation.
• Thousands of workers with lasting health issues have received little to no compensation.
• Proving a direct link between exposure and illness has been challenging, with a high burden of proof.
• The settlement's shortcomings have left many workers struggling with long-term effects, while BP avoids responsibility.