A Gulf Shores resident has filed a lawsuit against BP Exploration & Production, Inc. and BP America Production Company, accusing them of negligence and misconduct during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup efforts. Harry King, the plaintiff, filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on June 27, 2024.
Harry King worked as a Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) worker during the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill from June to August 2010. As part of his duties, he was exposed to toxic chemicals including crude oil and dispersants like COREXIT. The complaint alleges that BP failed to provide adequate protective gear or safety training to cleanup workers, exposing them to hazardous substances. King claims that this exposure led to his diagnosis of IgA Kappa Multiple Myeloma on July 6, 2020.
The lawsuit details how BP initially downplayed the severity of the oil spill and misrepresented the dangers associated with their cleanup methods. For instance, an internal BP document revealed that the actual rate of oil leakage was significantly higher than what was publicly reported. Furthermore, despite directives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find less toxic dispersants than COREXIT, BP continued its use after objecting to these orders.
King's complaint also highlights BP's failure to warn workers about health risks and their hiring of Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), which allegedly underreported safety concerns due to conflicts of interest. Additionally, it is noted that many cleanup workers were threatened with termination if they attempted to wear respirators or additional safety equipment.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, mental anguish, physical pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, fear of future medical issues including cancers, loss of consortium, cost for past medical screening and monitoring, cost of litigation, and pre-judgment interest.
The case is being handled by attorneys C. David Durkee and Jason P. Frank from The Downs Law Group in Coconut Grove, Florida. The presiding judge is Judge Barbier with Magistrate Judge Currault assisting. The case ID is 2:24-cv-01642-BWA-EJD.