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BP Defeated Thousands Of Suits By Sick Gulf Spill Cleanup Workers. But Not One By A Boat Captain

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8 months ago

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John Maas spent years purchasing and outfitting a 17-foot aluminum boat known as the Superskiff 1 so he could take people fishing for sea trout and flounder in the Gulf of Mexico.

But before the Mississippi captain could undertake his first charter trip in 2010, the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded 120 miles (193 kilometers) to the south, killing 11 workers and spewing millions of gallons of oil into the sea.

BP

AP – VOR News Image

BP Defeated Thousands Of Suits By Sick Gulf Spill Cleanup Workers. But Not One By A Boat Captain

Maas’ life, like that of many others on the Gulf Coast, was affected by the calamity. When oil fouled the water, he stopped fishing and used his boat to help clean it up. It was unpleasant working in sweltering, humid weather in oily water near the chemical dispersion Corexit, which was used in large quantities to break up oil.

Maas reported that the Corexit smelled like burning brake oil and caused his eyes to weep and his skin to burn. “You were coughing and something like that. In an interview, he described it as being similar to tear gas.

Four years later, he was diagnosed with chemical-induced asthma. Today, the former Marine, who never smoked and was always in shape, exercising with his dog on the beach and keeping up with fishermen 15 years younger, gets winded just going around his deck at home.

BP received criminal fines for the catastrophe and would eventually spend billions of dollars to resolve claims for economic harm and environmental destruction. However, after more than a decade of litigation following the greatest offshore US oil spill, Maas may be the only person to receive a BP compensation for his injuries through an individual case. Thousands of identical cases have been dismissed without ever reaching a jury.

Maas triumphed where more than 99% failed due to his intelligence, stubbornness, and, ultimately, luck. His story exemplifies how difficult it is for workers who say they were sickened by the spill to secure adequate compensation.

Maas collaborated with four different law firms and even handled the matter on his own for months, writing motions longhand on white legal pads and mailing them by US mail.

According to a private copy obtained to The Associated Press, BP eventually agreed to pay Maas $110,000 12 years after the leak occurred. The corporation denied responsibility for his illness. BP declined to comment on the story, citing ongoing litigation.

“I know this is going to shorten my life tremendously,” Maas, 61, said of his sickness. “And I know I’m going to have continued issues related to the spill.”

At every turn, Maas narrowly averted the fates of others.

He initially hired The Nations Law Firm, based in Houston, but dismissed them in 2016 after legal bills reduced his $1,300 payout from a class-action settlement between BP and cleanup workers’ attorneys.

After two miserable years with another law company that was unable to file his federal lawsuit due to paperwork issues, Maas recruited a Miami-based firm that filed one in Louisiana in 2020.

They very instantly butted heads. According to Maas, the firm handed him a document stating that his eyes were sprayed with contaminated water as he was picking up tar balls.

“This was a scripted thing for the dudes who walked down the beach in the (protective) suits with a little shovel, and a broom, and a bag,” he went on to say. “I was a master boat captain.”

Maas didn’t like the error. He also wanted his case heard in Tennessee, where he had relocated. This time, the law firm dropped Maas.

BP

AP – VOR News Image

BP Defeated Thousands Of Suits By Sick Gulf Spill Cleanup Workers. But Not One By A Boat Captain

Maas then pursued his case against BP on his own for nine months, successfully moving it to Tennessee.

“I think most people would be very hesitant on writing their own motions to court, which I was, but I’m dumb enough not to even be embarrassed by spelling things wrong and and not having it set up right,” he went on to say.

In late 2020, Maas hired Tennessee attorney Ken Burger. Initially hesitant, Burger decided to become engaged after seeing spill worker injury litigation.

“The more I looked at it, the madder I got,” he recounted. “My attitude of mind was, I don’t care if I don’t make a dime out of this. “They (BP) are going to answer my questions.”

As with hundreds of similar complaints, BP attempted to dismiss Maas’ by claiming he could not prove the exact level and duration of his exposure to oil and Corexit.

However, Maas had two things going for him.

The court first heard expert testimony from Corexit researcher Dr. Veena Antony, a professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Alabama, who stated that there is no safe dose of the oil dispersion to breath. Maas and his deckhand said that they were “crop dusted” with Corexit and inhaled lungsful.

The second advantage was that the federal court in Tennessee who heard his case was less conservative than those in the Gulf States when it came to establishing a link between harmful chemical exposure and sickness.

bp

AP – VOR News Image

BP Defeated Thousands Of Suits By Sick Gulf Spill Cleanup Workers. But Not One By A Boat Captain

“Mr. Maas does not have to establish he was exposed to a specific dose of Corexit” for his case to proceed, U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr. stated in 2021, noting Maas’ doctor indicated the boat captain was exposed regularly for a lengthy period of time.

After the judge ordered mediation, BP agreed.

BP never admitted any fault, and Maas’ attorney carefully frames the outcome: “Unlike cases from New Orleans to Pensacola to Galveston to Tampa… we were able to resolve Captain Maas’ case in a manner agreeable to the parties.”

Since Maas’ case, the lawyer stated that numerous spill workers have begged him to take theirs, but he has refused. “I don’t think any of these cases are winnable,” he told reporters.

And his Corexit expert witness says she is hesitant to testify in any future difficult cleanup lawsuits.

“As a physician, I feel terrible for these people,” he remarked. “But… I am not a lawyer. I wish I was in certain ways; I’d fight for them.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists

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1 day ago

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2024-12-21

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Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog Merchandise are hot Christmas Items

Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.

Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.

Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.

Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.

Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.

Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.

Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.

sonic the hedgehog 4

Sonic the Hedgehog 4

Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.

The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.

The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.

The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.

They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.

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Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout

Published

2 days ago

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2024-12-20

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Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union
Teamsters members were demonstrating at "hundreds" of other Amazon locations.

An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.

The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.

According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.

The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.

It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.

Amazon Strike at 10 Locations

Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.

The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.

The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.

Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.

Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.

Stalled Contract Negotiations

Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.

However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.

Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.

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Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.

Published

3 days ago

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2024-12-19

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Amazon

(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.

The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.

The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.

Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.

The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.

Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.

Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.

“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.

“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.

The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.

The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.

Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.

Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.

Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.

In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.

The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.

In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.

“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”

The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.

SOURCE: NPR

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