Oil and Gas Field Contamination

New Orleans, LA Oil and Gas Field Contamination Claims Lawyer

The first oil well in Louisiana was drilled in 1901 in a rice field near the rural community of Jennings.  Since then, Louisiana’s oil and gas industry has rapidly expanded throughout the state.  Recent studies indicate that one in every six employees in Louisiana is connected to the oil and gas industry.

In 2013, the Department of Natural Resources reported that there were 20,577 oil wells in Louisiana.  North Louisiana accounted for 16,691 oil wells.  South Louisiana accounted for 3,646 oil wells.  There were 240 oil wells situated off the coast of Louisiana.

In 2013, there were 19,583 gas wells in Louisiana. North Louisiana accounted for 18,184 gas wells.  South Louisiana accounted for 1,295 gas wells.  There were 104 gas wells situated off the coast of Louisiana.    

With the rapid expansion of Louisiana’s oil and gas industry comes considerable risk of environmental danger.  Louisiana communities are covered with pipelines, flow lines, storage tanks, and drilling equipment that can pollute otherwise viable land and leave landowners with serious problems.  Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) can remain in the soil for years after oil and gas operations have ended.  Groundwater can be contaminated by fracking, oil and gas spills, and/or tank leaks.

Oil and gas field contamination leaves property owners and residents with financial losses, including serious declines in property value.  Negligent companies may destroy land with ruts, trenches, and mud pits.  Equipment such as rigs, wells, and pipelines may simply be left behind when the company is finished harvesting the land.   Contamination can poison vegetation and livestock, sterilize soil, and creep into bayous, lakes, and rivers. 

Contamination associated with oil and gas fields may also cause serious health affects to those exposed.  Potential side effects may include:

-Cancer;

-Gastrointestinal pain;

-Headaches;

-Shortness of breath;

-Skin conditions; and

Vision impairment

Fighting back against large corporations that have invested millions of dollars into local economies can be difficult.  Oil and gas companies are able to harness popular support in their defense.  However, companies that contaminate our land must be held accountable.  The victims of such contamination are owed the financial compensation needed to repair their land and well being.  

No firm is better equipped than HKGC to handle your personal injury claim stemming from a contamination event.  HKGC’s experience in these types of pollution claims led the court overseeing the BP Oil Spill litigation to select HKGC partner, Steve Herman, as Co-Liaison Counsel for the plaintiffs.

The BP oil spill is widely considered to be the worst pollution disaster in American history.  As Co-Liaison Counsel, Steve led the charge on behalf of thousands of shrimpers, oysterman, and other businesses that were devastated by the spill.  

Our firm was instrumental in negotiating the uncapped, multi billion dollar settlement with BP.  The settlement ended up being so favorable to victims of the spill, that BP actually took the unprecedented step of appealing the terms of a settlement that it actually agreed to in writing.     

If your community has suffered a pollution event as a result of oil or gas contamination, learn about your legal rights from an experienced Louisiana pollution lawyer by calling 504-581-4892 or by filling out our free, no obligation case review form.