Lawsuit Filed After Oil Spill in Huntington Beach, California
Last Updated on August 5, 2022
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
Case Update
- August 5, 2022 - Investigation Closed, Litigation Continues
- Thank you to everyone who reached out to us in regard to the Huntington Beach oil spill. At this point, attorneys working with ClassAction.org have decided to close their investigation into this matter, meaning they no longer need to hear from people who were affected by the oil spill. This is because consolidated class action litigation continues to move forward against Amplify Energy and several other defendants.
If you have questions about your rights, you may wish to contact an attorney in your area. You can, however, check out this article to find out why you generally don’t have to do anything to join a class action lawsuit.
The content below was posted when this investigation began and remains for reference only. You can check out our open list of investigations here or sign up for our free newsletter for the latest in class action lawsuit and settlement news.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- All individuals and businesses who were harmed as a result of the Elly oil rig spill that occurred off the southern coast of California on or around October 1, 2021.
- What’s Going On?
- A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging the owners and operators of the rig acted negligently and are now responsible for the harm residents and businesses have suffered as a result of the spill.
- How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
- If successful, a class action lawsuit could provide California residents and businesses with money for business losses, property damage, diminished property values, medical expenses and more.
A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging that the owners and operators of the Elly oil rig that spilled more than 140,000 gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean on or around October 1, 2021 acted negligently and are now responsible for the harm California residents and businesses have suffered.
If you or your business was affected by the oil spill, attorneys working with ClassAction.org want to speak with you.
What Does the Lawsuit Say, Exactly?
The lawsuit accuses Amplify Energy Corporation and Beta Operating Company, LLC of failing in their duty to operate and manage the Elly oil rig in a safe manner so as to prevent oil spills and other catastrophic events.
Specifically, the suit says the companies:
- Failed to ensure the oil rig was safe to operate
- Knew – or should have known – that the oil rig was not being operated or supervised properly
- Failed to provide the public with adequate and timely notice of the leak and the harm it could cause
- Are responsible for the physical injury, property damage, and stress and anxiety suffered by those in the vicinity of the spil
Health Effects from the Oil Spill
On October 3, 2021, the Orange County Health Care Agency recommended that those who came in contact with oil from the spill or contaminated materials should seek medical attention.
The agency cautioned locals to watch for any of the following symptoms that could result from exposure to the oil or its vapors:
- Vomiting and stomach upset
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Skin, eye, nose and throat irritation
Because petroleum products contain benzene and other toxic chemicals, those along California’s southern coast, from Huntington Beach to Newport Beach, have been “significantly exposed to oil and other chemicals, toxins, and particulates proven hazardous to health,” according to the lawsuit.
The suit notes that those who were exposed to these dangerous substances are at risk for latent diseases – including cancer – and will need to monitor their health for years to come.
What Could I Get from a Class Action Lawsuit?
A successful lawsuit could provide compensation for the following:
- Property damage, including harm to animals and livestock
- Diminished property value
- Business losses
- Medical monitoring costs
- Physical harm
- Stress and anxiety
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