A mistaken delivery from a heating oil company resulted in a Medford, MA home being flooded with nearly 400 gallons of oil. This horrific accident required specialized cleanup, and resulted in extensive damage to the victim’s home. However, this incident highlights the dangers that can come from heating oil spills, which are far more common than most people realize.
Heating Oil Spill Results From Incorrect House Delivery
According to fire officials, a heating oil company went to a home located in Medford to deliver heating oil, unaware that the actual address they were meant to deliver to was in the nearby city of Malden. However, the home had a fill pipe, which unbeknownst to them was not connected to an oil tank. Thus, when they connected the pipe, they flooded the home’s basement with 385 gallons of oil, requiring the home to be evacuated.
How an Oil Spill Can Happen
Unfortunately, heating oil spills like these are surprisingly common, and accidentally plugging into a disconnected fill pipe is just one of the ways they can happen. Often, an oil spill can be the result of failing to correctly connect to a fill pipe, causing oil to leak from the pipe, or due to overfilling a tank. They may also occur if the oil tank or heating system is old or poorly maintained, or if there are defective parts.
The Dangers of Heating Oil Spills
Heating oil is an exceptionally dangerous substance that you should never make contact with unless you have protective gear. In addition to being dangerously flammable, it is also highly toxic, and even the fumes can cause health problems if you are not careful. Cleaning an oil spill is also potentially costly, as it can soak into the floor or ground, requiring intensive measures to safely clean up.
What You Should Do if You Have an Oil Spill
If you have experienced a heating oil spill in your home, you first should contact the Fire Department, and report it to your local Department of Health. You will also need to contact a specialized cleaning company to remediate your home and ensure it is safe to inhabit. Finally, you should contact a lawyer with experience handling oil spills and other environmental law cases, who can help you explore your legal options.
Williams Cedar has successfully handled multiple domestic oil spill cases, obtaining significant compensation for homeowners and renters dealing with the problems caused by the negligence of heating fuel delivery companies.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.