Toxic Exposure

BP Oil Spill

No longer accepting claims for this case

The Deepwater Horizon disaster killed 11 oil rig workers, spilled close to five million gallons of crude oil into Gulf Coast waters, devastated our nation's natural resources and profoundly harmed the economic and emotional well-being of hundreds of thousands of people.

Motley Rice attorneys continue to fight for fair compensation for all those whose lives and livelihoods were critically damaged by the BP oil spill since shortly after the disaster occurred.

Our Experience in BP Oil Spill Litigation

Motley Rice co-founder Joe Rice was co-lead negotiator for the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) for both settlements reached with BP, one of which is the largest civil class action settlement in U.S. history. He also served as one of the lead negotiators in the $1.028 billion settlement between the PSC and Halliburton Energy Services for its role in the disaster. Joe continues to hold an active role on the PSC negotiating team for In re Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon” in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 (MDL 2179).

Additionally, Motley Rice attorneys John Baden and Fred Baker have been central to the BP settlement process, and Motley Rice attorney Kevin Dean, who served on the original Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) Jurisdiction & Court Oversight Workgroup, has been working with injured parties since April 2010.

Our attorneys remain in a leadership role in the BP litigation and are working to ensure that qualifying oil spill victims are fairly and efficiently paid for their losses. From our central role in negotiating both settlement agreements to our early and effective involvement in establishing the claims facilities, our BP oil spill attorneys have an intimate working knowledge of the claims process and continue to help affected people and businesses receive just compensation.

About the BP Oil Spill Settlements

Economic and Property Damages Settlement

Frequently Asked Questions: Economic and Property Damages Settlement 

The Economic and Property Damages Settlement is designed to compensate businesses and people that suffered economic loss and property damage from the oil spill, including for lost business profits, lost income, property sales loss and lost growth potential. Owners and long-term lessees of waterfront properties in eligible areas are also potentially eligible to receive compensation for loss of use and enjoyment of their properties.

In Dec. 2014, BP's Economic and Property Damages Settlement was finalized and stopped accepting eligible claims as of June 8, 2015.

This settlement also included a separate Seafood Compensation Program for specific seafood vessel owners, commercial fishermen and seafood crew. This program stopped accepting claims in January 2013.

Medical Benefits Settlement

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Benefits Settlement

BP's Medical Benefits Settlement compensated people with specified acute or chronic illnesses generally associated with short-term exposure to the oil spill and/or dispersants used in the cleanup efforts.

BP's Medical Benefits Settlement became effective on Feb. 12, 2014, and ran until Feb. 12, 2015. We are no longer accepting Medical Benefits Settlement claims cases. More information about the settlement  

Key Dates

Previous Claims Deadlines

June 8, 2015: The final deadline for filing a claim or additional claims under the Economic and Property Damages Settlement, except claims under the Seafood Compensation Program.

Feb. 12, 2015: The deadline for filing a claim under the Medical Benefits Settlement.

Jan. 22, 2013: The deadline for filing claims under the Seafood Compensation Program.

Economic and Property Damages Settlement Finalized

Dec. 8, 2014: The Settlement Agreement was finalized, setting the deadline for filing a claim as June 8, 2015, six months after the Settlement Agreement became final due to the U.S. Supreme Court denying to hear the appeal of the Business and Economic Damages Settlement Agreement.

Dec. 21, 2012: Judge Carl Barbier granted final approval of the Economic and Property Damages Settlement.

Medical Benefits Settlement Finalized

Feb. 12, 2014: The Medical Benefits Class Action Settlement became effective following a final approval by Judge Barbier. The deadline for filing a claim under the Medical Benefits Settlement was Feb. 12, 2015.

Settlement Program Begins Operating

June 4, 2012: The Deepwater Horizon Court-Supervised Settlement Program covering economic loss and property damage claims began being operating on this date.

Distribution

Eligible claims under the Economic and Property Damages Settlement are actively being reviewed and processed by the Claims Center, with payments issued as soon as possible after a claim is approved.

Relevant Court Documents

Read about Toxic Exposure litigation

Primary Contact

BP Oil Spill Attorneys