As a trial consultant for over 20 years, I have witnessed first-hand the consequences of natural and man-made disasters and have developed an awareness of the financial, physical, and emotional effects such events have on people and their communities. These damages often lead individuals to hire attorneys to represent them in an attempt to alleviate at least some of the financial burden experienced in the aftermath of disaster. Trial Exhibits, Inc., through our consultation services provided to lawyers and law firms, has been involved in the representation of people affected by every one of the largest recent catastrophes in the southeastern United States. For example, Trial Exhibits, Inc. was hired within days of the 1993 oil spill involving the collision of three tanker barges, which resulted in the dispersion of over 330,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. More recently, our services were enlisted by the Port of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina’s devastating landfall.

The current BP catastrophe, an oil spill leaking 200,000+ gallons of oil per day into the Gulf of Mexico, could result in largest devastation to ever impact Southern shorelines. The BP oil spill is likely to result in environmental and financial effects, long after the oil leak is contained.

Trial Exhibits, Inc. is providing our services to attorneys who are preparing for the impending litigation that will be necessary to resolve the consequences of such a major disaster. One of our clients, leading policyholder advocate and a long time friend, Chip Merlin of Merlin Law Group, has enlisted our assistance in providing community outreach as a method of educating the public regarding what to expect in the wake of the disaster as well as their rights to recovery from the effects of the BP Deep Horizon oil spill. Residents and business owners along the Gulf Coast, concerned about the consequences that this spill will have on their properties and industries, have been contacting Merlin Law Group and Keefe, Anchors, Gordon & Moyle with concerns.

Our purpose is to communicate damage  expectations, legal rights to recovery, and resolution options in response to the effects of the BP Deep Horizon oil spill. Residents and business owners along the Gulf Coast, concerned about the consequences that this spill will have on their families, properties and businesses

As a means of addressing these concerns, a town-hall styled educational seminar will be held to educate property owners, business owners, government entities, and residents regarding their rights and abilities to proactively protect their properties, the possibility of obtaining relief through their insurance policies and the applicability of federal legislation from the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to the current situation. Experts and individuals with experience from prior oil spills will be available to offer insight as to the expected effects of the current spill and ongoing efforts to assist those in affected areas of the country.

The educational town hall seminar will be held on Tuesday, May 4th at 1:00 PM in the Emerald Ballroom at the Hilton at Sandestin, 4400 South Sandestin Boulevard, Destin, Florida 32550. The seminar will be conducted by the law firms Merlin Law Group and Keefe, Anchors, Gordon & Moyle.

We all hope the winds will not bring this epic catastrophe onto our shores….