The BP Oil Spill Lawsuit Timeline

April 20, 2010 - The BP oil spill began. BP's DEEPWATER HORIZON rig exploded, killing 11 and triggering one of the worst oil spill disasters in history.

On May 5, 2010 - The Lanier Law Firm filed a second federal court lawsuit, asserting Class Action status for a group of fishermen, shrimpers and various others whose vocation is dependent upon clean and healthy waters, in order to perform their trades. We currently represent several hundred such clients, many of who are Vietnamese-Americans, whose lives have been have been destroyed by the oil flowing from BP's well. Attorney, Tammy Tran, of the Tran Law Firm, is co-counsel in these cases and assisted in filing the Vietnamese American Fisherman Emergency Association v. BP, et al. The cases are pending in Federal Court in Houston, Texas before Judge Lynn Hughes. Numerous hearings have occurred, and The Lanier Law Firm lawyers already have begun the discovery process, which will lead to the trial against BP and other defendants.

May 13, 2010 - The Lanier Law Firm has filed claims and taken a highly active role in the suit Transocean, owner and operator of the vessel DEEPWATER HORIZON, has filed in Houston. This particular suit is an effort, by Transocean, to limit the amount they would have to pay for any damages. Currently, they are attempting to cap the amount to approximately $27 million. We have filed claims in this case on behalf of various commercial fishermen and related clients. This case is pending before Judge Ellison. The Lanier Law Firm has continued to play an active role in the case. In addition we were one of the first groups to assert claims and negotiate agreements regarding the inspections of the equipment brought up, from the seabed, below the DEEPWATER HORIZON.

July 12, 2010 - One of the firm's most distinguished maritime attorneys, along with one of the most respected liability experts in the country, attended an all-day inspection of the equipment salvaged from the wreck, by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Lanier Law Firm was the only plaintiff's counsel to attend this significant and important event.

More BP oil spill news will be added as it happens.