Calif. surf school sues oil pipeline over leak

October 9, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

Signs warn that beaches are closed to swimmers and surfers due to the recent oil spill in Huntington Beach, Calif., Wednesday Oct. 6, 2021. Officials imposed restrictions on Southern California beaches in response to a leak in an oil pipeline that sent over 126, 000 gallons of oil into the ocean and some ending up on nearby beaches. (AP Photo/Stefanie Dazio)

Signs warn that beaches are closed to swimmers and surfers due to the recent oil spill in Huntington Beach, Calif., Wednesday Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Stefanie Dazio)

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UPDATED 11:32 AM PT – Saturday, October 9, 2021

A surf school owner filed a class action lawsuit against the company operating the oil pipeline that leaked thousands of gallons of oil onto a California coastline.

Attorneys representing the Banzai Surf School in Huntington Beach, California filed the suit against Amplify Energy Cooperation claiming they suffered major commercial losses due to the spill. The plaintiffs also fear there will be a stigma surrounding their business, incurring further revenue losses due to their proximity to the spill.

Investigations into the cause behind the underwater pipeline rupture are ongoing.

“The lawsuit is filed because they failed to maintain their pipeline, they allowed it to be exposed,” said attorney Gary Praglin. “And then they didn’t properly report the spill once it happened. It happened around 3 a.m. They delayed for hours and the oil started flowing.”

This comes as the Houston-based energy company faces scrutiny for their response time to the disaster amid reports fishermen saw evidence of the spill a day prior.

In the meantime, beaches could remain closed for several weeks to come, causing a major hit to local businesses.