Louisiana parishes launch court battles against oil companies as contamination spreads

Amid three oil spills along the Louisiana coast in two weeks, the state's Vermilion Parish decided to join three other local governments that are suing oil and gas companies for damage done during drilling operations.

In late July, Vermilion Parish announced it was suing 49 oil and gas companies for violating regulatory and permitting guidelines while instigating alleged land loss via marsh erosion, radioactive water discharge, and salt water intrusion into local ecosystems.  Read more.