Santa Barbara Oil Spill Threatens Small Businesses
On July 7, 2015, Audet & Partners, LLP filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, on behalf of businesses harmed as a result of the recent Santa Barbara oil spill.
The pipeline rupture and oil spill in Santa Barbara County has posed significant threats to the environment, wildlife, and small businesses. The company which owns the ruptured pipeline is Plains All American Pipeline, LP, which has been cited for at least 175 safety and maintenance violations since 2006.
The Santa Barbara oil spill has presented a threat of significant economic loss to businesses along the Gaviota Coast related to area tourism as well as many types of fishing and shellfish harvesting. A 2009 report by the California Department of Fish and Game found that annual ex-vessel revenues for fishing vessels in Santa Barbara County totaled approximately $6.5 million.
Audet & Partners, LLP: Experienced Oil Spill Litigation Attorneys
In 2008, an oil spill by the Cosco Busan of approximately 58,000 gallons of fuel into the San Francisco Bay created similar concerns. In that case, Audet & Partners, LLP assumed a lead role in initiating swift action to protect the interests of commercial crabbing and fishing businesses in the San Francisco Bay.
The Santa Barbara pipeline rupture is reported to have released up to 105,000 gallons of crude oil into Santa Barbara County, an estimated 21,000 gallons of which is estimated to have entered the water.
The law firm is no longer accepting clients in this case.