Claims and Litigation

The Deepwater Horizon incident led to the death of eleven oil rig workers and damaged air, water, sediment, wildlife, and habitats across the Gulf. Hundreds of lawsuits related to the disaster have been and continue to be filed in courts across the nation, both by individuals and by government entities. Together, these lawsuits raise a wide variety of legal claims under state and federal law, from tort law (e.g., personal injury) to environmental law (e.g., water pollution). The result is a complex array of claims, filed by different parties, for different damages, on different timelines.

Here you will find a big-picture overview of the various types of legal claims and their status as of August 11, 2013. If you encounter any unfamiliar terms, view our Glossary of Key Legal Terms. If you would like more detail on any of the claims, see ELI’s searchable database of court cases filed in response to the spill.

What types of federal claims may be filed?

Who is liable for the disaster?
Understanding the roles of different companies in the Deepwater Horizon disaster

What is the status of the legal claims?
Learn more about the federal claims that have been filed as a result of the Deepwater Horizon disaster and their status

How are the claims organized?
Understanding Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)