Orange County Oil Spill Business Loss Lawyer
If your business is suffering financial interruptions or other negative impacts from the recent Orange County oil spill, contact the lawyers at Bentley & More LLP for assistance. Our Orange County injury attorneys know how devastating an oil spill can be for businesses that are situated on the coast or dependent upon beach-related tourism. We are passionate about holding companies accountable for oil spills and the related adverse effects on the environment, marine life, human activity, and businesses. Contact our Orange County oil spill lawyers today to request a free case consultation.
Beaches Impacted by the Orange County Oil Spill
The most recent information is reporting that up to 144,000 gallons of crude oil (an increase from initial reports of 126,000 gallons) have poured into the Pacific Ocean, beginning on Saturday, October 2, 2021. The oil spill has been traced to a broken pipeline located about six miles offshore in federal waters that was part of an oil platform called Elly. The owner of the oil platform is a Houston-based company, Amplify Energy.
Since the first reports of the spill began, the oil has spread into an area that is about 13 miles wide. It has severely impacted several beaches and beach communities on the Orange County coastline, including:
- Huntington Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Newport Beach
All city and county beaches in these areas have been closed to swimmers until further notice. However, concrete bike paths that are located away from the water remain open for recreational activities. Officials estimate that the beaches will be closed for at least a few weeks, and maybe even months, as professionals work to get the oil out of the ocean and to clean the marine environment enough to allow the public to return. In the meantime, thousands of local businesses will be negatively impacted by the oil spill.
Was Your Business Affected by the Orange County Oil Spill?
Bentley & More LLP is keeping up with the ongoing investigations being used to determine the cause of the oil spill. One possibility that has been mentioned is a ship dropping its anchor in the wrong area and striking a pipeline. If it is discovered that Amplify Energy or another entity is to blame for the oil spill, that party may be held liable for all related losses suffered by local business owners. Examples of businesses that may be impacted by the oil spill in Orange County are:
- Commercial fishermen
- Boat rentals
- Hotels
- Tourist shops
- Gift shops
- Surf lessons/surf shops
- Recreational shops and activities
- Local restaurants and bars
- Independent food truck/cart owners
If you own a business that is located in an area affected by the Orange County oil spill, you may be facing significant financial losses related to this disaster. The tourists and beachgoers that you depend upon for your revenue may be absent for many weeks during oil cleanup. The law may entitle you to financial compensation for these losses so that your business – and family – can stay afloat.
Types of Business Losses and Financial Compensation Available
According to the Oil Pollution Act, the company that is responsible for an oil spill can be held financially accountable for all related losses suffered by individuals and businesses. If your business was harmed because of the Orange County oil spill, you may be eligible for compensation for the following losses:
- Lost revenue
- Mortgage or rent/lease payments
- Business loan payments
- Taxes
- Property repairs
- Relocation costs
These are all losses that are covered by most business interruption insurance policies. If an investigation finds that the oil company is responsible for causing the oil spill, however, you may also be eligible for financial compensation through a lawsuit or class action against Amplify Energy.
Contact Bentley & More LLP Today
You are going through enough as a victim of the Orange County oil spill. You should not also have to deal with insurance companies that may try to take advantage of you or make it difficult to receive the money that you are owed for business losses. At Bentley & More LLP, our Orange County oil spill injury attorneys provide legal assistance for individuals and businesses that have suffered losses due to the Orange County oil spill. We will protect your rights and give you the legal advice that you need to move forward with a damage claim. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation.
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Bentley & More LLP – Orange County Office
4931 Birch Street
Newport Beach, CA 92660
P: (949) 870-3800