Report Shows Need For Inspection Of Blowout Preventers Throughout Gulf Of Mexico
Engineers who examined the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig’s blowout preventer for the U.S. Department of the Interior report that a dislodged pipe blocked portions of the device from closing properly. Eleven people were killed in the resulting explosion in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, and millions of gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf and shut down commercial fishing for months.
In light of that finding, Houston maritime injury attorney Jason Itkin called for inspections of blowout preventers on oil rigs throughout American waters. Itkin challenged the oil industry to prove its claim that the blowout preventers are safe, effective and won’t expose offshore workers to the risk of workplace accident, injury or death.
“An orderly and thorough inspection of every blowout preventer that is currently in use in the Gulf and elsewhere is obviously the next move in light of the engineers’ report to the federal government,” said Itkin, a founding partner of Arnold & Itkin LLP, a Houston maritime law and personal injury law firm that has been deeply involved with the aftermath of the 2010 Gulf oil spill disaster.
“The expense of the inspections cannot be weighed against the protection of lives, the environment and the oil industry itself,” Itkin said.
The Texas maritime lawyers of Arnold & Itkin LLP are working to protect the rights of many Transocean offshore workers and Gulf Coast businesses seeking redress for injuries caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon spill.
Co-founding law firm partner Kurt Arnold agreed. “The time is now to move forward and protect the thousands of workers who put their lives on the line in the Gulf and other American waters every day to ensure this country’s energy needs are supplied,” said Arnold, himself an experienced maritime accident attorney.
The lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP are aggressive maritime accident trial attorneys who understand the complexities and legalities of maritime law.
For a free consultation, call an Arnold & Itkin LLP maritime accident lawyer toll free at (877) 632-8168 or contact us online.
