In a gripping legal battle, a former oil spill cleanup worker has taken on two major corporations, alleging exposure to toxic chemicals during the infamous Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill cleanup. Antonio Saavedra Vargas filed a lawsuit against BP Exploration & Production, Inc. and BP America Production Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on March 17, 2025. The complaint highlights Vargas's work as a boom deployer and shoreline cleanup worker from May to November 2010, where he claims exposure to hazardous substances led to severe health issues.
The lawsuit details how Vargas was employed in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon explosion, which occurred on April 20, 2010. The explosion resulted in massive crude oil leakage into the Gulf of Mexico. According to Vargas's complaint, BP initially downplayed the severity of the spill and failed to provide adequate protective equipment or warnings about potential health risks associated with exposure to crude oil and chemical dispersants like Corexit. These dispersants were used extensively despite their known harmful effects on human health. "BP Defendants did not provide complete and timely announcements and warnings about the severity," states the complaint.
Vargas alleges that his work involved direct contact with these toxic substances without proper safety measures in place. He claims that this exposure has resulted in him being diagnosed with Severe Persistent Asthma among other conditions, which he attributes directly to his involvement in cleanup activities under BP's direction. Furthermore, Vargas accuses BP of negligence by failing to warn workers adequately or provide necessary protective gear despite being aware of the risks involved.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, mental anguish, physical pain and suffering, and other related costs due to his medical condition caused by chemical exposure during his employment. Additionally, Vargas requests a jury trial for this case.
Representing Antonio Saavedra Vargas is attorney C. David Durkee from The Downs Law Group based in Coconut Grove, Florida. The case is presided over by Judge Barbier with Magistrate Judge Currault assisting. The case identification number is 2:25-cv-00523.