Aubrey L. Roney has filed a BELO (Back-End Litigation Option) complaint against BP Exploration & Production, Inc. and BP America Production Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on May 16, 2024. The lawsuit stems from Roney's work as a clean-up worker during the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010.
Roney, a resident of Dauphin Island, Alabama, alleges that his exposure to toxic chemicals during the oil spill clean-up operations led to severe health issues. According to the complaint, Roney worked as a Division Supervisor for Deep Sea Diving with APEX Environmental and US Environmental Services from April 2010 to September 2010. During this period, he was exposed to crude oil, dispersants like COREXIT EC9500 and EC9527A, and other hazardous substances without adequate protective gear or safety training.
The complaint highlights that BP downplayed the severity of the oil spill and failed to provide timely warnings about the health risks associated with exposure to crude oil and chemical dispersants. "BP Defendants did not provide complete and timely announcements and warnings about the severity, forecast, and trajectory of the BP Oil Spill," states the filing. It further accuses BP of gross negligence, willful misconduct, and recklessness in handling the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon incident.
Roney claims that his exposure to these toxic substances has resulted in multiple health conditions including a stroke diagnosed on June 14, 2019; cervical paraspinous muscle spasms diagnosed on July 17, 2019; and axillary hidradenitis suppurativa diagnosed on July 10, 2020. The plaintiff argues that these conditions were substantially caused by his exposure during clean-up activities mandated by BP.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, mental anguish, physical pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement among other economic losses. Additionally, Roney requests a trial by jury to address his grievances against BP.
Representing Aubrey L. Roney is Jeremy Block from The Downs Law Group based in Coconut Grove, Florida. The case is presided over by Senior Judge Carl J. Barbier with Magistrate Judge Donna Currault also involved in proceedings under Case ID: 2:24-cv-01280-CJB-DPC.