These workers were exposed to crude oil and the chemical dispersant Corexit while picking up tar balls along the shoreline, laying booms from fishing boats to soak up slicks and rescuing oil-covered birds.

Recognizing that some members of cleanup crews had likely become sick, BP agreed to a medical claims settlement two years after the 2010 disaster. Experts hailed it as “an extraordinary achievement” that would compensate workers fairly with little hassle.

But it hasn’t turned out that way.

Through the settlement, BP has paid ill workers and coastal residents a tiny fraction — $67 million — of the billions the company has spent on restitution for economic and environmental damage. The vast majority — 79% — received no more than $1,300 each.

  • unreasonabro@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    $1,300 is more than i was expecting by two orders of magnitude, but it’s still two orders of magnitude out from being an acceptable sum. BP and the entire field of current players simply don’t deserve to be doing business, and everyone investing in them deserves to lose that money.