Legal Question in Environmental Law in Alabama

My family, 2 children and 2 adults, live on waterfront property right where the marsh turns to dry land. We have been affected by the oil fumes from the BP disaster off and on the last 2 months, and now have a canal full of dead little fish that smell very bad. All members of my family have had one or more symptoms this past month that could be related to the fumes, but of course may not be: headaches, nose bleeds, bronchitis, nausea. The reason we live here is the water access. And my partner was starting a small boat building and rental shop. It seems inevitable that our property will get further damage from the oil. But our biggest concern is the potential long-term health effects from the oil and dispersant fumes on our children. At this point, the uncertainty is taking a huge mental toll on us, 2 of the family have been having nightmares . We'd like to just bail out and move away from the area even though I would have to quit my job and find work elsewhere. I feel BP should have to pay off my mortgage, give me resettlement money, and money for bodily harm and pain and suffering. But I fully recognize what I feel would be appropriate compensation is not necessarily what others feel would be appropriate. Would it be best to file claims now given it'll take some time to process and the damage would likely be more evident by that point; or should I wait until I have goo on my property to file? What sort of dollar amounts should I file for in any of those categories? Are there categories I'm missing? Should I submit them at once, or one at a time? Or are my prospects so bleak for recompense I should just bail out on my mortgage? Any advice would really be appreciated.

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