Dunedin, Clearwater Sue BP

Dunedin and Clearwater have filed lawsuits in U.S. Distrcit Court, seeking millions in damages due to the 2010 Deepwater oil spill off the Gulf coast, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Clearwater lists BP and its contractors – Halliburton and Transocean – as defendants.

Both Clearwater and Dunedin are not claming loss due to oil washing ashore but to from economic hardship as tourists stayed away during the disaster.

In making its claim, Clearwater describes tourism as the "primary economic driver for the city," according to the Tampa Bay Times. Dunedin notes that  outdoor recreation, including fishing and boating, draw visitors to the city.

The two north Pinellas cities' lawsuits are among 60 filed Friday, April 19, in Louisiana by the law firm Motley Rice, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The flurry of filings occurred as the third anniversary of the spill nears and claimants reached a deadline to sue.

Lou Kwall, filing for Clearwater, said: "It was the fear factor," referring to the tourists who stayed away, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Dunedin has estimated its loss at $8.8. million, while Clearwater had sought $20 million, when both municipalities earlier demanded a settlement with BP, which the oil company ignored.

Read the Dunedin Patch's ongoing BP coverage

Dunedin Claims $8.8 Million in BP Oil Spill Losses

Dunedin Hires Law Firm to Investigate Possible BP Oil Spill Claim

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