Coffeyville, Kansas Oil Spill
The Coffeyville Resources Refinery in Kansas was the site of the most destructive oil spill in recent memory. On June 28, 2007 during an already catastrophic flood, at least 71,000 gallons of oil was allowed to escape from the refinery into the town of Coffeyville. Refinery officials said that the oil spill occurred when the company was attempting to shut down the plant and evacuate before the flood reached the refinery. A pump apparently malfunctioned and allowed oil to continue flowing to the refinery’s main storage tank until it overflowed. The problem went unnoticed for some time, and allowed a huge amount of oil to escape.
Coffeyville, with a population of 11,000, was hardest hit by the oil spill. After the oil spill, witnesses reported that a thick oily muck covered just about everything in the town, and described a foul, acrid stench that lingered in the air for days. Even after the flood waters receded, residents were unable to survey the damage to their homes, as it was far too risky to allow anyone contact with the contaminated town. Just days after the spill, local health officials were reporting cases of skin rashes, diarrhea and numerous respiratory ailments among rescue workers and other first responders to the spill. Now residents of Coffeyville are faced with a daunting cleanup, hug economic losses, and possible serious health problems resulting from the oil spill. Only time and careful monitoring will uncover the true consequences of this tragic oil spill.
But Coffeyville was not alone in its misery. The oil slick traveled down the Verdigris River and into Oklahoma, coming precariously close to Oologah Lake. Both the river and lake are popular boating and fishing spots, and between them, they provide water for nine municipalities in Kansas and Oklahoma. Though public heath officials in both states believe that much of the oil from the spill dissipated before it could contaminate these water supplies, it could be months or years before anyone knows if these other communities where spared the most horrible affects of the oil spill.
Coffeyville, Kansas Oil Spill News
Legal Help for Victims of the Coffeyville, Kansas Oil Spill
Despite residence buy back offers and other aid programs, many victims of the Coffeyville Oil Spill still face daunting personal and financial losses as a result of the disaster. To assist victims of the oil spill in exploring all legal remedies, on August 10, 2007 Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, along with Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, Becnel Law Firm LLC, the Law Offices of Ronnie G, Penton and Lambert and Nelson, P.L.C. opened an office in Coffeyville to receive legal claims related to the Coffeyville Resources Refinery Oil Spill.
The office is located at 1505 West 8th Street, and can be reached by calling 620-251-7775 or 620-251-7776. It will be open every day of the week except Sunday. The Coffeyville legal claims office is scheduled to remain open through August 25, 2007.
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP , Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, Becnel Law Firm LLC, the Law Offices of Ronnie G, Penton and Lambert and Nelson, P.L.C. are already representing many Coffeyville residents and business owners who suffered losses as a result of the Coffeyville Oil Spill. On July 5, 2007, the firms filed a class action lawsuit against the owners of the Coffeyville Resources Refinery on behalf of a man who lost his home and business to the oil spill
It will some time before the consequences of the Coffeyville Resources Refinery oil spill are fully realized. If you or a loved one have been affected by this disaster you may be entitled to compensation. Please fill out the form to the left for a free case review by a qualified attorney or call 1-800-LAW-INFO.