The Downs Law Group was recently featured in an article by Follow The Money, a platform for investigative journalism, highlighting BP’s attempts to influence the scientific research following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The article, titled “Slick Operator: BP’s Grip on Science Following the World’s Largest Oil Spill,” exposes how BP has funded and influenced research to attempt to downplay the disastrous environmental and health effects of the spill.
The Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010 caused one of the worst environmental disasters in history, spilling over 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The environmental damage was catastrophic, and the long-term health consequences for cleanup workers have been severe. However, according to the article, BP has funded studies aimed at minimizing the apparent impacts of the spill. These studies have led to conflicting research results, especially when compared to those funded by the U.S. government, raising concerns about BP’s influence on the scientific community.
Attorney Jason Clark of The Downs Law Group, who is involved in ongoing legal battles against BP on behalf of oil spill workers, was quoted in the article saying, "These studies that BP put out [...] are not only defending and supporting their legal position, I believe it can have a kind of downstream effect, further polluting the scientific literature that's out there on the toxicity of oil spills in general."
Clark further elaborated on BP's tactics, stating, "They help create the literature, they rely on the literature, and then the literature is cited numerous times by other reputable, actual unbiased scientists." This manipulation creates a feedback loop where BP’s narrative gains credibility and undermines independent research.
The article also highlights the struggles faced by The Downs Law Group in representing workers with long-term health issues caused by the oil spill. Although many workers were compensated in 2013 for acute symptoms, many are now seeking compensation for chronic conditions that developed later. BP, however, has challenged the scientific studies developed by the National Institute of Health linking certain long-term conditions to the spill, leading to the dismissal of many cases.
Reflecting on this setback, Clark said, "BP basically tore those studies apart. They argued that there are too many limitations for them to be relied on, and the courts have accepted their arguments."
The Downs Law Group continues to fight for these workers, appealing district court dismissals in federal courts. According to Clark, the stakes are high, as the outcomes of these cases will set a precedent for similar claims in the future.
As BP continue to drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, The Downs Law Group remains committed to holding them accountable for the long-term damage caused by the spill. If you or a loved one were affected by the BP oil spill, The Downs Law Group is here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the justice you deserve.