FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Fort Lauderdale law firm of Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman & McKee has been retained as legal counsel for Gulf County to consult on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill that is devastating the West Coast. Gulf County Commissioners decided Monday, May 17, 2010, to hire the firm because of its strong litigation capacity, solid foundation of knowledge in the field of marine disasters, and its association as lead Florida counsel with the Gulf Oil Disaster Group.
"We believe this is the first government entity to retain counsel to protect its interests from the effects of the spill," said Robert McKee, partner with Krupnick Campbell Malone. Since the spill was discovered, Mr. McKee has been traveling around the state to work with victims situated along the coast. "A situation of this magnitude requires proactive attention and intense planning."
Gulf County's decision to retain legal counsel was likely based in part on the firm's experience handling environmental disaster cases and its relationships with the world's best experts. Gulf County Commissioners made it clear that they were disturbed by BP's lack of timely information on a county preparedness plan.
Krupnick Campbell Malone is renowned for representing the shrimping industry in chemical contamination cases, and is also handling cases for Florida's Panhandle and the Gulf Coast where the impact of the spill is causing significant damage.
The source of the spill is still spewing an estimated 210,000 gallons of oil per day into the Gulf of Mexico, jeopardizing important spawning grounds of shrimp, various important fish species, and oyster areas of the northern Gulf. Information from the U.S. Coast Guard indicates that the loop current may be picking up portions of the surface and even subsurface oil which will act as conveyor system for potential impacts in the Florida Keys, and potentially the southeast coast of Florida. Even if the flow is stopped from the wellhead, the amount of oil presently in the gulf has the potential to impact these areas in the near future. The spill is affecting numerous individuals and businesses, since the fisheries on which they are all based are under attack.
According to Mr. McKee, the oil spill is a disaster of tremendous proportion. "This spill will greatly affect fisheries and businesses along the Gulf Coast, and may become one of the most damaging environmental disasters this country has ever seen."
The Coast Guard has estimated a spill rate of 5,000 barrels a day (some 210,000 gallons a day) revising initial estimates of 1,000 barrels a day. The blowout occurred on April 20, 2010, and in just seven days, the slick had grown to well over 2,200 square miles (already 1/5th the area of the Exxon-Valdez spill). However, the spill continues to expand as more oil gushes out and Gulf winds continue to spread the light, watery oil.
While the Valdez spill several years ago caused severe economic losses upward of several hundred million dollars to the Alaskan fisheries industry, the impacted area was limited by a number of factors. 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. Mr. McKee encourages all of the victims, and potential victims, to be proactive in preparing for this storm of oil.
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. For more information, visit our Web site at www.krupnicklaw.com or contact us by phone at (954) 763-8181.