Louisiana Fishermen and Coastal Businesses May Have Legal Claims Arising from the LOOP Oil Spill
If you feel you may have a claim, contact us today for a FREE consultation by calling 985-868-4800, emailing Claims@BroussardDoveLaw.com or filling out a form at https://broussarddovelaw.com/contact-us/
If we do not recover and money, we do not charge a fee!
The recent LOOP oil spill has raised serious concerns for Louisiana commercial fishermen, shrimpers, crabbers, oystermen, seafood processors, charter captains, and coastal businesses throughout the Gulf Coast region. Individuals and businesses who depend on Louisiana waters for their livelihood may have substantial legal claims for economic damages, lost income, property damage, and other losses resulting from the spill.
At, our attorneys are actively investigating claims related to the LOOP oil spill and assisting commercial fishing communities across coastal Louisiana.
The economic impact of an oil spill can extend far beyond visible contamination. Even temporary fishing closures, public fear regarding seafood safety, reduced seafood demand, damaged fishing grounds, and interrupted commercial operations can result in significant financial harm to Louisiana fishermen and related businesses.
1. Can Commercial Fishermen Recover Lost Income?
When an oil spill occurs in the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana commercial fishermen and seafood businesses often suffer serious financial losses.
Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, individuals and businesses that lose income due to an oil spill may be entitled to compensation.
The amount of compensation a commercial fisherman can recover depends on several factors, including the size of the oil spill, the duration of fishing disruptions,
and the amount of financial loss experienced.
Potential damages from an oil spill claim may include:
- Lost fishing income
- Reduced catch or harvest levels
- Cancelled charter trips
- Loss of seafood sales contracts
- Damage to fishing equipment
- Increased fuel costs to travel to different fishing areas
- Business interruption losses
Many Louisiana oil spill claims are calculated by comparing a fisherman’s historical income with earnings during the period affected by the spill.
Tax returns, trip tickets, and seafood sales records are often used to help determine the value of an oil spill claim.
Because commercial fishing income can vary seasonally, documenting losses carefully is essential when pursuing compensation.
2. How Do I Know If I Have an Oil Spill Claim?
One of the most common questions fishermen ask after a Louisiana oil spill is whether oil must physically touch their boat or gear in order
to file a claim.
The answer is no.
Under federal law, commercial fishermen can recover compensation for economic losses even if their vessel or equipment was never directly damaged by oil.
For example, commercial fishermen may still have valid claims if the oil spill causes:
- Fishing ground closures
- Reduced fish or shrimp populations
- Market disruptions affecting seafood sales
- Cancelled fishing trips
- Loss of charter bookings
- Changes in fish migration patterns
Economic losses are often the largest damages suffered by commercial fishermen after an oil spill.
Because of this, federal law allows commercial fishermen and seafood businesses (docks, processors, dealers, etc.) to pursue compensation when their ability to make a living is affected.
Keeping accurate records of lost trips, reduced catches, and cancelled seafood orders can help support these claims.
3. How to Document Your Commercial Fishing Losses
After an oil spill, documentation is one of the most important steps commercial fishermen can take to protect their rights.
Proper records can help demonstrate the financial impact of the oil spill when filing a claim.
Commercial fishermen should begin collecting and saving the following records:
- Trip tickets and catch records
- Fuel receipts
- Seafood sales invoices
- Tax returns from previous fishing seasons
- Photos or videos showing oil or contamination
- Maintenance or cleaning costs for boats and gear
- Records of cancelled charter trips or seafood orders
These documents help establish what a fisherman normally earns and how the oil spill may have affected those earnings.
It is also helpful to keep a written log describing fishing trips that were cancelled, areas where oil was observed,
or changes in catch levels during the period following the spill.
Early documentation can make a significant difference when seeking compensation for oil spill related losses.
Commercial fishermen, seafood businesses, seafood docks, seafood processors, or seafood dealers affected by the LOOP oil spill may have the right to pursue compensation for these losses.
If you feel you may have a oil spill claim, contact us today for a FREE consultation by calling 985-868-4800, emailing Claims@BroussardDoveLaw.com or filling out a form at https://broussarddovelaw.com/contact-us/
If we do not recover and money, we do not charge a fee!
We are a local law firm located right here in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana ready to include you in our growing list of clients to hold LOOP accountable for the oil spill and the damage it has caused Terrebonne Parish and the Louisiana seafood industry!
Frequently Asked Questions About LOOP Oil Spill Claims
What is the Oil Pollution Act of 1990?
The Oil Pollution Act (“OPA”) is a federal law that allows certain individuals and businesses to pursue compensation for damages and economic losses caused by oil spills.
Should I accept a settlement offer from the responsible company?
Before signing any release or settlement agreement, it is important to understand the full scope of your damages and future losses. Once a release is signed, additional claims may be barred. Contact us today and we will review your offer and release for FREE!
How can a Louisiana oil spill lawyer help?
An attorney can help document losses, preserve evidence, evaluate damages, communicate with claims administrators, and pursue compensation for economic losses and other damages.
What if seafood buyers stopped purchasing my catch after the spill?
Economic losses caused by reduced seafood demand, contamination concerns, or market disruptions may still qualify for compensation even if your fishing grounds remained open.
Can deckhands recover compensation for lost work?
In some situations, deckhands and crew members who lost income because of reduced fishing operations or closures may have potential claims arising from the spill.
Can seafood processors and distributors file claims?
Yes. Seafood processors, wholesalers, ice houses, seafood markets, and distributors impacted by reduced harvests or contamination concerns may have economic loss claims.
What if I already filed paperwork with a claims program?
Filing paperwork with a claims administrator may not fully protect your rights. Individuals and businesses should carefully evaluate whether any proposed settlement adequately compensates them for all present and future losses. Under OPA, a claimant must formally present their claim to the responsible party before a lawsuit can be filed. That’s where we come in to make sure the legal process is followed and all requirements are met.
What if my income varies seasonally?
Seasonal fluctuations are common in commercial fishing industries. Historical business records and prior years’ income may still help establish damages and lost earning capacity.
What if my income varies seasonally?
Seasonal fluctuations are common in commercial fishing industries. Historical business records and prior years’ income may still help establish damages and lost earning capacity.
Author’s Information:
Sye J. Broussard, J.D., M.B.A.
Managing Partner
BROUSSARD | DOVE
Sye J. Broussard – Broussard Dove
Louisiana Oil Spill Lawyer
About the Author:
Prior to the 2010 BP Oil Spill, Sye’s research paper on the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was published in the Loyola Maritime Journal and was cited and utilized by lawyers, journals, articles, research papers, court pleadings, legislators, and attorney general’s offices throughout the country to argue lawsuits and draft legislation in response to the BP Oil Spill. As an attorney on the BP Oil Spill, Sye successfully recovered $MILLIONS$ of dollars for commercial fisherman, offshore workers, businesses, and property owners.
More information can be found about Sye here: Sye J. Broussard – Broussard Dove
DISCLAIMER: The information provided above and on our website does not, and is not intended to, constitute advice. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not constitute the most up to date legal or other information. Any links to third party websites are only for the convenience of the reader. Broussard | Dove makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the third party website information. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website authors, contributors, contributing law firms, or committee members and their respective employers.