Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing
When a deadly explosion destroyed BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, 134 million gallons of crude erupted into the sea over the next three months — and tens of thousands of ordinary people were hired to help clean up environmental devastation from the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S. history.
These workers were exposed to crude oil and the chemical dispersant Corexit while picking up tar balls along the shoreline, laying booms from fishing boats to soak up slicks and rescuing oil-covered birds.
Recognizing that some members of cleanup crews had likely become sick, BP agreed to a medical claims settlement two years after the 2010 disaster. Experts hailed it as “an extraordinary achievement” that would compensate workers fairly with little hassle.
But it hasn’t turned out that way.
Related articles
Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
SALERNO, Italy (AP) — Verona secured a place in next year’s Serie A after beating Salernitana 2-1 on2024-05-21Auckland lodge fire: Caravan user forced to stick to one set of clothes
Ison da Silveira must wait for approval to enter his home of five years, despite the caravan being s2024-05-21Weather watches and warnings: What they mean and when they're triggered
MetService's weather watches and warnings on the morning of 10 April. Weather watches are denoted by2024-05-213D printed eggs used in fairy tern rescue programme
A tara iti chick steps briefly out of its nest at Waipū to explore. Photo: Supplied / Darren Markin2024-05-21Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Noel Gallagher has insisted he would still back Tony Blair for PM - as he warned Keir Starmer not to2024-05-21Man, woman rescued after getting trapped for 10 hours at Australia's Jenolan Caves
File photo. Photo: 123RF2024-05-21
atest comment