Federal Judge Finds BP Grossly Negligent in Deep Horizon Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

“BP acted with utter disregard for human safety, wildlife, and
water quality in the Gulf”

A bird covered in oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill struggles to climb on to a boom in Barataria Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

September 4, 2014 – A federal judge has ruled BP was “grossly negligent” in its actions that led to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“Today’s ruling is a monumental decision for protecting wildlife, communities and natural resources. After a thorough review of the evidence, Judge Barbier confirmed that BP acted with utter disregard for human safety, wildlife, and water quality in the Gulf.

“BP’s willful misconduct and gross negligence put people and wildlife in grave danger. Eleven men lost their lives. Bottlenose dolphins, endangered sea turtles and countless species of fish and wildlife perished. Studies have estimated that the oil killed an astonishing 800,000 birds and caused billions of dollars of economic damage.

“Today’s decision is a critical step towards ensuring that BP is held accountable for the full impacts of the Gulf oil disaster and required to restore the vibrant ecosystem of this national treasure—justice demands nothing less.”