Despite BP's payment of billions in damages and funding for coastal restoration projects across five states, many local residents and cleanup workers have struggled to receive compensation for health issues linked to the spill.

The flagship restoration project aimed at diverting sediment from the Mississippi River to rebuild land in southeast Louisiana has recently been paused due to concerns over its environmental impact and costs.

While BP asserts that it has improved safety standards since the spill, environmental advocates remain cautious, emphasizing the lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Fifteen years after the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill on April 20, 2010, the Gulf Coast continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster, which claimed 11 lives and released 134 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean.

The environmental consequences of the spill were devastating, resulting in the destruction of coastal habitats, the death of tens of thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, and significant harm to the fishing industry.

In light of the ongoing challenges, the Trump administration is advocating for expanded offshore oil drilling, with BP announcing new oil discoveries and plans for over 40 new wells, despite warnings from environmental groups.

Gremillion's experience highlights the difficulties faced by many in proving a direct link between oil exposure during cleanup efforts and subsequent health problems.

Conservation groups are urging immediate action to protect marine life, including the endangered Rice’s whale, amidst a push for increased fossil fuel production.

The Deepwater Horizon disaster serves as a critical reminder of the inherent risks associated with offshore drilling and the necessity for stringent safety measures moving forward.

Families like that of Tammy Gremillion, who lost her daughter Jennifer to leukemia after she worked on the cleanup, illustrate the ongoing struggles for justice and compensation from BP.

Lawsuits from those affected by the spill have encountered significant barriers, with most of the approximately 4,800 claims dismissed and only one case settled, resulting in minimal compensation for the majority.

Officials like PJ Hahn have noted the profound environmental damage from the spill, which included the suffocation of oyster beds and significant harm to local fisheries.