Finding the Right Lawyer After an Oil Spill

The 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had an almost immediate impact on people in the area, and for many the impact will be felt for years to come. Remember the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989? The oil company settled many of the lawsuits filed against it, but in some instances it took nearly 20 years for some people to get paid for their claims. And some volunteer clean-up workers still suffer poor health today.

Anyone who's been affected by the oil spill - or any oil spill, for that matter - should know how to find the right lawyer.

Types of Legal Claims

An oil disaster like the one in the Gulf can bring up all sorts of legal claims, which usually call for a lawyer with particular expertise in a particular area of law or "practice." For instance:

• Wrongful death claims focus on someone's negligence or recklessness as the cause of another person's death and the emotional injuries to his family, such as the 11 workers killed in the explosion of oil rig in the Gulf. There are attorneys who specialize in these types of cases
• Personal injury lawyers can help in cases where you or a family member become ill because of exposure to oil or "tar balls," for example
• Did the oil spill lead to the loss of your job? A labor and employment law attorney can help you get unemployment benefits to help make ends meet until you can find a new job
• Do you own a fishing, shrimping, tourism, or resort business, or any other business that relies on the Gulf shores and waters? Do you stand to lose thousands of dollars over the 2010 summer alone because no one wants to rent your property? If you're losing customers, or worse, had to close down because of an oil spill, a business law lawyer may be able to help you recover some of your losses
• You probably don't need to be told that oil spills can cause property damage, such as staining or discoloration of the sand on your beachfront property or the paint on your home. Obnoxious smells or odors making it unpleasant to stay on your property is damage, too. So is the loss in value of your property. How much could you have sold the property for before the spill, and what what's the price today? Lawyers experienced in real estate and insurance matters can help you with these things
• Do you want to cancel your vacation to the Gulf area? On the flip side, do you want to stop renters from canceling on you? An attorney with experience in contracts or real estate is who you're looking for
• Are you a friend of the environment and simply want to make sure the oil spill is cleaned-up properly and the wildlife and natural surroundings are restored to pre-spill conditions? An environmental law attorney can explain if and how concerned citizens like you can file a lawsuit against the oil companies and others

Act Now

Don't wait to talk to an attorney. Usually, you have to file a legal claim within a certain period of time or else you lose your right to file a lawsuit. The period of time is called the statute of limitations. Each state has its own statute of limitations, and they're different for each type of legal claim. For example, in Louisiana, you generally have one year to file a wrongful death lawsuit, but in Florida you have two years to file it.

It's also a good idea to talk to an attorney as soon as possible because, over time, people forget important facts, witnesses may move, and insurance or oil companies may collapse.

Don't have an attorney? We can help you find one in the state you live in or where your property is located, or by the area of practice that suits your particular legal needs. The point is, talk to someone and soon so you can protect all of your legal rights.

Questions for Your Attorney

• I live in Michigan but my rental property is in Florida. Do I need a Florida lawyer to help with my oil-spill legal claims?
• Does my homeowner's insurance cover oil-spill related damage?
• What happens if I don't notice any damage to m y property until 5 or 10 years after the spill?