Gulf Coast Dive Shop Files Lawsuit Against BP

Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C. has filed a lawsuit against BP and several other companies with ties to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The firm represents the dive shop Adventure Sports II in Birmingham, AL, which does significant business in the Gulf of Mexico and seeks damages related to the oil spill disaster, including loss of profits, business income and earning capacity. The suit alleges negligence and wanton misconduct.

Current estimates say between 40.7 and 114.5 million gallons of oil have already spilled into the Gulf of Mexico since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20, and oil continues to spew from the undersea well every day. Beaches up and down the Gulf Coast have been closed to swimmers, and visitors who are ordinarily drawn to the area are canceling plans. But even in areas where waters are open and diving is safe, travelers are staying away out of fear about oil contamination.

“The dive business is taking a double hit, impacted by actual oil spill damages, and the fear that surrounds reports of the leak’s effect on the Gulf of Mexico,” said Rhon Jones, head of Beasley Allen’s environmental section. “Even when the water is clean and safe and dive sites are open, many travelers are still avoiding the Gulf Coast because of misconcceptions about where the oil is now, and fears about where it might spread in the coming weeks and months.”

You can read Beasley Allen’s press release and download a PDF of the complaint it filed at: http://www.beasleyallen.com/news/Beasley-Allen-files-lawsuit-on-behalf-of-SCUBA-diving-business/