The company that was in possession of the chemical when it was spilled is usually the responsible party. Even a company transporting chemicals may be held accountable for spills occurring during transport. Sometimes, the responsibility may fall upon multiple parties, such as the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill. In the state of Texas, the responsible party must make sure the chemical spill is cleaned up, and the hazardous wastes are disposed of properly. Although companies may be held responsible for the cleanup and restoration costs, most companies have insurance coverage to help offset these costs. Refusal to pay for the chemical spill cleanup can result in severe penalties, including the filing of state lawsuits. The responsible party can also be held accountable for mistakes caused by an underqualified contractor they hired to clean up the spill, so it’s critical to hire the company with the right qualifications and training.