April 21, 2010 - Transocean/BP Oil Rig Accident And Explosion, Gulf of Mexico,

TRANSOCEAN/BP OIL RIG ACCIDENT AND EXPLOSION

GULF OF MEXICO
APRIL 21, 2010

On April 21, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon, an offshore drilling platform owned by Transocean Limited, exploded with at least 126 people onboard. The Deepwater Horizon is a type of platform known as a semi-submersible rig. At the time of the explosion, the platform was actively drilling but was not in production according to a spokesman for Transocean Ltd. The rig was under contract to British Petroleum PLC ("BP").
While some of the offshore workers escaped the blast, many were injured and 11 are missing and presumed dead.

The explosion occurred in the Gulf of Mexico about 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, left the rig burning and in flames. Ultimately, the rig collapsed into the sea.

The Buzbee Law Firm (www.txattorneys.com) has represented thousands of injured offshore workers, including several with claims against Transocean. Tony Buzbee successfully concluded a unique class action lawsuit on behalf of offshore workers relating to wage fixing by offshore employers, resulting in a $75 million settlement. The Buzbee Law Firm recently obtained a $100 million gross negligence verdict against BP in a Galveston federal court, and has represented hundreds of injured workers with claims against BP.

Not surprisingly, respected and well known Houston attorney has filed one of the first lawsuits against both Transocean and BP on behalf of six workers injured as a result of the Deepwater Horizon explosion. The case seeks more than $30 million. Buzbee, a former Marine Captain who was selected as one of the top five attorneys in Texas, obtained the highest verdict ever recorded in Galveston County in December against BP. That verdict was in excess of $100 million.

Now, Buzbee takes on his old nemesis, Transocean, as well as BP, in what most are saying will be one of the most important and difficult offshore cases in decades. According to Buzbee: "Potential clients need to be aware that this will be a tough case, and they need a seasoned, experienced attorney to handle it. Whenever something like this happens, far too many clients are misled and hire inexperienced attorneys because they are cold called. You need to hire the best; someone that these companies will fear and respect."

Buzbee was the lead attorney a few years back when the Parker 14J collapsed. In that accident, Buzbee's clients reportedly received more in compensation than did the clients of any other attorney. According to Buzbee: "I have a long history with Transocean. Back in 2001, they paid my clients $15 million dollars for alleged wage fixing. I have sued them multiple times over the years for negligence and injuries suffered by offshore drilling workers." Tony Buzbee has more than eight lawyers and a full support staff, and has handled hundreds of cases against all of the major offshore drilling contractors, as well as Halliburton and other offshore companies. Buzbee has handled more cases against BP than any other attorney in the United States, and has the highest verdict and largest settlements with BP than any other attorney in the United States.

Buzbee is optimistic about his chances with Transocean and BP: "I believe there will be other defendants that will be added to the case, including Halliburton and Cameron (the BOP manufacturer). I am a former Recon Marine. I love offshore workers, and have represented them my entire career. When clients hire me, we ensure they get the medical treatment they need, and we take care of them in the event they have household expenses. We are a full service firm, but, in the end, clients and their families hire our firm to win, and that is what we do best." Buzbee continued: "My heart goes out to all of the families involved in this. Our firm can't change the hurt, we can't undo what happened. All we can do now is try to figure out what happened, hold those responsible accountable, and protect the families going forward to make sure they are fully and fairly compensated for this life changing event." The case filed by Buzbee is filed in Houston state court; no trial date is yet set.