Marine Oil Pollution incidents in the United States are serious and high profile events which require immediate response on a variety of fronts by a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable attorneys working closely with the responsible party, its insurers and specialized consultants, contractors and advisors. Palmer Biezup & Henderson has represented ship owners, terminals and insurers in numerous major and minor oil pollution incidents and was deeply involved in the EXXON VALDEZ and ATHOS I oil spills, two of the three largest oil pollution incidents in U.S. history.

The firm has a dedicated Oil Spill Response Team and has created and maintains a formal Oil Spill Response Plan which sets forth specific assignments and identifies all tasks to be undertaken in the immediate aftermath of a spill. The Team attorneys are intimately familiar with all governing laws including the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and state pollution laws. The firm also maintains lists of available consultants, contractors and advisors to provide necessary services including pollution cleanup operations, media and public relations management and natural resource damage assessment. We also have an established network of criminal law attorneys who are experienced with maritime pollution incidents and who can be retained in the event that an incident gives rise to criminal charges.

Our attorneys also have extensive experience defending vessel owners in connection with alleged violations of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), including many cases involving the alleged misuse of oily water separators, and have successfully recovered claims for a variety of clients from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF).

Palmer attorneys have been on the front lines in some of the largest marine oil pollution spills ever. This experience informs a comprehensive and confident approach to the response and handling of the practical and legal issues arising from these complex events. To learn more about our capabilities and methodology, please call one of our attorneys.