April 20, 2010 is a date that many families will never forget. On that day the Deepwater Horizon Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit suffered a blowout, resulting in the largest oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. The oil spill hit home for many people living on the coasts and received extensive news coverage for its disastrous environmental effects. This weekend, Deepwater Horizon will be hitting the box office with a star-studded cast including Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, and Kate Hudson.
While almost everyone remembers the disastrous oil spill and the botched cleanup attempts, few people remember the human cost of this horrible incident. Eleven workers died as a result of this preventable explosion but was massively overshadowed by the environmental cost of this incident. As one mother of a deceased worker put it, “They just swept 11 men under the rug.” The upcoming film will feature all of the eleven workers who lost their lives.
Every worker deserves a safe environment. Nevertheless, every year thousands of workers die in the United States across every industry. The oil and gas industry is no exception, as many companies prioritize their bottom line by cutting costs. When this happens, workers can pay with their lives. If you or someone know lost a loved one in a workplace accident, don’t get swept under the rug. Speak a workplace accident attorney with the Pinkerton Law Firm that will fight for you.
