In a compelling legal battle that has reignited the aftermath of one of the largest environmental disasters in history, a former cleanup worker is taking on a corporate giant. On April 17, 2025, Paul Joseph Byars Jr. filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against BP Exploration & Production, Inc. and BP America Production Company. The case stems from Byars' work as a Shoreline Clean-Up Worker and Boom Repairer during the infamous Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
The plaintiff, Paul Joseph Byars Jr., alleges that while working from May to November 2010, he was exposed to toxic chemicals released during the oil spill response activities orchestrated by BP. According to the complaint, these chemicals included benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals such as lead and zinc. Byars claims that his exposure to these substances has led to severe health issues, including being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in July 2023.
Byars' lawsuit is part of what is known as a Back-End Litigation Option (BELO) under the Medical Settlement Agreement (MSA) related to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. This agreement allows individuals who later develop physical conditions due to their exposure during cleanup efforts to seek damages from BP. The complaint accuses BP of negligence and willful misconduct, highlighting their failure to provide adequate protective equipment or warnings about the risks associated with chemical exposure during cleanup operations.
The plaintiff's accusations are backed by historical findings where BP was found guilty of manslaughter and obstruction of Congress due to their handling of the oil spill. The court documents detail how BP allegedly downplayed the severity of the spill and continued using harmful dispersants like COREXIT despite orders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find less toxic alternatives.
Byars seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, mental anguish, pain and suffering, among other claims. He also demands punitive damages for what he describes as BP's reckless disregard for human health and safety during its response activities.
Representing Byars is attorney C. David Durkee from The Downs Law Group in Coconut Grove, Florida. The case is presided over by Judge Barbier with Magistrate Judge Currault assisting in proceedings under Case ID 2:25-cv-00767.