Is your Florida business affected by the Gulf Oil Spill?
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Florida’s tourism industry generates 65 billion dollars a year in revenue and employs millions of people. The impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the economy of Florida is potentially devastating. Oil is already saturating the coastline of the Northwest Florida Panhandle, with multiple beach and water closings ,causing visitors to cancel hotel reservations and taking all their tourism dollars elsewhere. One recent study by the University of Central Florida estimates losses of 195,000 jobs and more than 11 billion dollars in revenue for the state and some economists are predicting revenue losses of up to 50% for much of Florida’s west coast.
The Florida coast is historically one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, attracting over 80 million visitors per year. Counties that have not even had any oil wash upon their shores are already experiencing a 10% drop in tourism as news reports of oil soaked beaches and pelicans are leading people to believe the entire coast is compromised.
With more than 120 million gallons of oil already in the Gulf of Mexico, many environmentalists fear that the oil on the surface as well as the oil lurking below the surface of the water could reach the Gulf Loop Current. This would force the oil along Florida’s western coast, through the Florida Keys, past Miami, and up along the Atlantic Coast. If this were to happen, the economic and environmental damage would be catastrophic. The delicate and fragile ecosystem of the Florida Everglades and the more than 6000 reefs of the Florida Keys would be decimated destroying natural fish nurseries and potentially poisoning the entire food chain. The tourism and fishing industries are wholly dependent upon the health of these natural ecosystems and their destruction would decimate Florida’s already fragile economy. Cleanup efforts are only able to remove a fraction of the oil that has already spilled, leaving millions of gallons more subjected to the Gulf’s powerful currents.
Stopping the leak, although necessary, does not begin to halt the damage that has already occurred. Many Floridians are watching and waiting in fear of what will happen when the oil submerged under the surface floats up over the reefs and even into the bays.
If you are a resident of Florida and are suffering an economic loss, injury, or property damage as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill you may be entitled to compensation from BP or another responsible party. The claims process is complicated. A lawyer with experience in environmental law, oil spill litigation, disaster litigation, or personal injury can help guide you through the difficult process to ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled. Even if you have not yet been impacted, but fear that you may be in the near future, contact a qualified oil spill attorney today to ensure that you are covered in the future.
BP has pledged a 25 billion dollar relief fund, but damage estimates predict the impact may run upwards of 100 billion dollars. To ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled, don’t delay, contact an oil spill lawyer today.