By Jim Lewis, Eastern Shore Injury Lawyer

The offshore drilling disaster in the Gulf of Mexico may not only affect the Louisiana Coast. Reports indicate the oil leak, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island, could make its way to the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA) and all the way down to west Florida (FL), according to Yahoo News.  

Here’s a news report describing the extent of the offshore drilling disaster…

If the spill were to actually make it down the Gulf Stream and reach the Eastern Shore, our crabbing and fishing industries could be severely damaged. Fortunately, the Oil Protection Act of 1990 (OPA) has provisions that provide money and resources necessary to respond to oil spills. The OPA also created the national Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is available to provide up to one billion dollars per spill incident, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

President Obama recently declared British Petroleum (BP), the at-fault oil company, will pick up the bill for clean-up costs and restoring damage done to the Gulf Coast and other areas. A section of the OPA, §1002(a), states:

“The responsible party for a vessel or facility from which oil is discharged, or which poses a substantial threat of a discharge, is liable for: (1) certain specified damages resulting from the discharged oil; and (2) removal costs incurred in a manner consistent with the National Contingency Plan (NCP).”

Understanding these laws could prove to be essential in VA since, just a few weeks ago, the president eased restrictions on offshore drilling and VA is looking to begin drilling and exploration in the near future (an exact date hasn’t been determined).

Will this oil leak, and the serious injuries and lives lost in the oil rig explosion cause VA legislators to re-evaluate their stance on offshore drilling? No one can say for sure. If this leak continues to spread and disrupts the vibrant fishing and crabbing economy on the Eastern Shore, it may be wise to take another look at the value of offshore drilling in VA.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm handling Eastern Shore VA injury accident law and we have handled thousands of car and truck accident cases, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Check out our case results to see for yourself. We are familiar with Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island. We provide free injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the “Best Lawyers in America” 2010 Edition. These two, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper were named 2010 Virginia “Super Lawyers” For Personal Injury Law (less than 5% of outstanding lawyers are chosen), and our firm includes attorneys selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. We provide this blog as a pro bono public service.

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