Killed BP Deepwater Horizon Rig Workers' Wives Testify Before Congress

In her testimony before congress this week, Courtney Kemp, widow of killed Deepwater Horizon oil rig worker Roy Kemp, asked that congress hold BP accountable for safety regs the corporation routinely ignored.

Listen to their testimony.

Asking for "accountability from corportate wrongdoers", Kemp asked that drilling in the gulf continue, but not at the risk of lives or destroying families.

Kemp, mother of two, wants BP held accountable for safety regulations that are on the books for offshore drill rigs, but which she claims the corporation routinely ignored. Because her husband was killed in federal waters more than three miles from shore, she and other Deepwater Horizon widows are unable to sue BP for negligent loss of life.

Subject to an antiquated regulation that date back to the 1920's, Kemp's loss is not open to wrongful death liability lawsuits, a law she pleaded with Congress to strike and rewrite. Known alternately as the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, the act prevents suing for negligent loss of life on vessels operating more than three miles from shore.

Source: Subcommittee Field Hearings, Congressional Committee on Energy and Commerce.