Yourlawyer.com (Oil Spills News)

Oil Spill Workers Prone to Health Problems Later On

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

People who help clean up huge oil spills face long-term health consequences down the road, says a new study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.   In the first study to ever investigate the health effects of oil spill cleanup, researchers found that volunteers and workers involved in the cleanup of the 2002 Prestige tanker oil spill off the coast of Spain where 1.7 times more likely to suffer respiratory illnesses than the general population.

It has been always suspected that oil spills cause long –term health problems for people affected by them. People living in the zone of an oil spill are often plagued by problems of the nervous system, blood and kidneys long after a spill has been contained.   Crude oil contains numerous chemicals like benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have been linked to cancers and birth defects. And anecdotal evidence suggests that individuals involved in the cleanup of oil spills have reported skin and respiratory problems years later. But no studies have previously been done on the long-term health consequences of oil spill cleanup.

When the oil tanker Prestige sank off the northwestern coast of Spain, spilling 67,000 gallons of oil, more than 10,000 workers and volunteers assisted in the cleanup.   Immediately after the spill, most of the work was done by fishermen and their families who did not use protective equipment. More than two years after the spill, researchers at the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid in Spain administered a questionnaire to about 7,000 people who had spent at least one day working on the oil spill cleanup to assess the long-term impact of their exposure on their health. The questionnaire was administered in a variety of ways, including through telephone interview.

Men who participated in the cleanup where twice as likely to have had chronic cough or asthma in the past year, while women who had done the same were 1.7 more likely than others to experience such symptoms, and 1.6 times more likely to report nasal problems. The researchers also found that the increased occurrence of respiratory problems lasted for more than a year after the cleanup.   Although rates did show some decline, the study found that the symptoms of respiratory illness where still significant more than 20 months later.

There researchers found no association between a worsening of pre-existing respiratory illnesses, like asthma, and oil spill cleanup. They speculate that this is due to the fact that the Spanish health officials warned people with such conditions to avoid the oil spill.

The authors of the report acknowledged that the questionnaire format of the study did leave it open to bias, and they plan on following a smaller cohort of subjects in order to reach firmer conclusions.   But based on their initial findings, they recommended that proper precautions be taken to protect workers involved in oil spill clean up.

Coffeyville Oil Spill Two-Month Anniversary Finds Stricken Town Struggling to Recover

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

As the citizens of Coffeyville, Kansas mark the two-month anniversary of the oil spill and flood that ravaged their town, many are wondering if the community will every be the same. Between July 1 and July 2, 2007, Coffeyville was overrun by more than 71,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from the Coffeyville Resources Refinery.   Now parts of the town lie in ruins, far too contaminated with crude oil to ever be rebuilt.

The Coffeyville oil spill occurred just as the town was being deluged by a massive flood brought on by several days of heavy rains.   The combination of the flood and crude oil created an enormous disaster, as the flood waters carried the oil far from the Coffeyville Resources Refinery. Even after the flood was gone, much of Coffeyville was still covered in an oily muck.

The oil spill displaced more than 2,000 residents, and some of them may never return.   Many homes are so contaminated with crude oil that they will never be habitable again. Coffeyville Resources has offered to buy and demolish the most badly damaged homes, and the town has said that those home sites will not be built on again. Many of those left homeless by the Coffeyville Resources Refinery oil spill have left the town for good. Others are staying with friends and family, and many are waiting for temporary housing that was promised to them by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). About 50 FEMA mobile homes have been delivered to the Coffeyville airport, and another 100 are promised. But right now, town officials have nowhere to put them. The absence of so many Coffeyville residents has turned parts of the community into a ghost town.

Even as the town struggles to recover from the oil spill, the refinery responsible for so much of the misery in Coffeyville is up and running. Coffeyville Resources had said that it expected operations at the refinery to be in full swing by September, but the recovery process has gone much faster than expected. Prior to the oil spill, the Coffeyville Resources Refinery had been processing about 108,000 barrels of crude oil each day. Presently, the plant is refining around 98,000 barrels per day.

The investigation into the Coffeyville oil spill has found that workers at the refinery had failed to close a valve on one of the plant’s oil storage tanks when they were rushing to prepare for an emergency shutdown ahead of the flood.   Because of that oversight, oil was able to flow into a bigger storage tank until it overflowed.   It was hours before anyone noticed the problem.    Coffeyville Resources has claimed that a malfunctioning flood gauge upstream on the Verdigris River led the plant workers to believe they would have more time to shut down the refinery. But that day, the National Weather Service had issued other warnings that indicated record flooding was imminent. Still, the company has stated its contention that the flood was responsible for the Coffeyville oil spill, not employee error. But regardless of the circumstances behind the disaster, it could be years before the town of Coffeyville finally recovers from this summer’s devastating oil spill.

Coffeyville Resources Refinery Up and Running After Oil Spill, Yet Much of the Town of Coffeyville Uninhabitable

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The Coffeyville Resources Refinery in Kansas has reopened, and is working at near full capacity, the company announced Friday.   The refinery was the site of a catastrophic oil spill earlier this month that made much of the town of Coffeyville, Kansas uninhabitable.

Coffeyville Resources had said that it expected operations at the refinery to be in full swing by September, but the recovery process has gone much faster than expected. Prior to the oil spill, the Coffeyville Resources Refinery had been processing about 108,000 barrels of crude oil each day. Presently, the plant is refining around 98,000 barrels per day.

Meanwhile, the town of Coffeyville has been slower to recover from the devastating oil spill. Between July 1 and July 2, 2007, more than 71,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from the Coffeyville Resources Refinery. The problem was not noticed for several hours. Due to widespread flooding, the crude oil reached and damaged a very large area. More than 2,500 residents and businesses were displaced by the oil spill, and more than 200 residences were destroyed.   While some of those evacuated have been able to return home, many other buildings in the town were contaminated so badly by the crude oil that they were condemned.   Coffeyville Resources has offered to buy out the most badly damaged properties, but even with such help many residents of the town are still faced with huge financial and personal losses.

The investigation into the Coffeyville oil spill found that workers at the refinery had failed to close a valve on one of the oil storage tanks when they were rushing to prepare the plant for an emergency shutdown ahead of the flood.   Because of that oversight, oil was able to flow into a bigger storage tank until it overflowed.   At a town meeting following the spill, many Coffeyville citizens questioned why Coffeyville Resources waited so long to shut down when it was well known that the flood was coming. Plant spokesman Steve Eames later told the Wichita Eagle that employees did their best to shut the refinery down. Eames clamed that a malfunctioning flood gauge upstream on the Verdigris River led the plant workers to believe they would have more time to shut down the refinery. But that day, the National Weather Service had issued other warnings that indicated record flooding was imminent.

Already, one class action lawsuit has been filed against the owners of the Coffeyville Resources Refinery on behalf of a man who lost his business to the oil spill. The law firms involved in that suit opened a legal office in Coffeyville earlier this month.   The office, which will remain open until August 25, will take legal claims on behalf of anyone affected by the Coffeyville Resources Refinery oil spill.

Coffeyville Oil Spill Claims Office Opened Today

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A legal claims office opened today in Coffeyville, Kansas to assist victims of last month’s Coffeyville Resources Refinery oi l spill. Several law firms involved in a class action lawsuit against the refinery and its owners have opened the office in an effort to reach out to Coffeyville residents affected by the spill.

The new office, located at 1505 West 8th Street, is staffed by 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.   It will be open every day of the week except Sunday. The law firms plan to keep the office open through August 25, but if response is great enough, that date could change. The Coffeyville office can also be reached by calling 620-251-7775 or 620-251-7776.

The six law firms are representing many Coffeyville residents and business owners who suffered losses as a result of 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.

While preparing the Coffeyville Resources Refinery for an emergency shut down in anticipation of record flooding that was forecasted for the area, employees at the plant failed to shut a valve on one of the plant’s storage tanks. That failure allowed oil from that tank to continue to flow into a larger storage tank. The larger tank soon overflowed. As a result, between July 1 and July 2, 2007, more than 71,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from the Coffeyville Resources Refinery. The problem was not noticed for several hours. Due to the widespread flooding, the crude oil reached and damaged a very large area. More than 2,500 residents and businesses were displaced by the oil slick and “toxic soup” that made its way on the Verdigris River. In excess of 200 properties have been destroyed by the oil spill.

At a town meeting following the spill, attendees wondered why the refinery waited so long to shut down when it was well known that the flood was coming. Plant spokesman Steve Eames later told the Wichita Eagle that employees did their best to shut the refinery down. Eames clamed that a malfunctioning flood gauge upstream on the Verdigris River led the plant workers to believe they would have more time to shut down the refinery. But that day, the National Weather Service had issued other warnings that indicated record flooding was imminent

The economic effects of the oil spill could devastate the town of Coffeyville for years. Large companies, sole proprietors, and individuals alike stand to endure major economic losses from the spill. Exposure to crude Oil from the Coffeyville spill could also cause long-term health problems    People living in the zone of an oil spill are often plagued by problems of the nervous system, blood and kidneys long after a spill has been contained.   Crude oil contains numerous chemicals like benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been linked to cancers and birth defects.

Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the responsible party is liable for the costs associated with the containment or cleanup of the spill and any damages resulting from the spill.

Coffeyville Oil Spill Claims Office Set to Open Friday

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Starting Friday, people affected by last month’s Coffeyville Resources Refinery oil spill will have access to an office in Coffeyville, Kansas for filing legal claims. Several law firms involved in a class action lawsuit against the refinery and its owners have opened the office in an effort to reach out to Coffeyville residents affected by the Kansas oil spill.

The new office is a joint undertaking by 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.   The office will open on Friday, August 10, at 1505 West 8th Street, Coffeyville, Kansas.   For now, the office is scheduled to remain open through August 25. If response to the office indicates a need, the firms will consider changing the closing date. Until then, the Coffeyville office will be open every day except Sunday.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP and the other law offices have already been retained by many Coffeyville residents and business owners who suffered losses as a result of Coffeyville Oil Spill.   On July 5, 2007, the law 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. The firms are inviting anyone who suffered damages as result of the oil spill to stop by the office once it opens for a legal consultation. The Coffeyville office can also be reached by calling 620-251-7775 or 620-251-7776.

On July 1 and July 2, 2007, more than 71,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from the Coffeyville Resources refinery. The spill occurred when Coffeyville Resources was preparing the refinery for an emergency shutdown in expectation of a record flood that had been forecasted for the area. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management said that during the flood, one storage tank continued to pour oil into a larger tank which eventually overflowed. The problem was not noticed for several hours. The state’s investigation found that a valve on the smaller tank was not closed by plant employees during the emergency shutdown, allowing the oil to escape. Due to widespread flooding that was occurring at the time of the oil spill, the crude oil reached and damaged a very large area. More than 2,500 residents and businesses were displaced by the oil slick and “toxic soup” that made its way on the Verdigris River. In excess of 200 properties have been destroyed by the oil spill.

The economic effects of oil spills can be devastating and far-reaching. Large companies, sole proprietors, and individuals alike stand to endure major economic losses when oil spills occur. Exposure to crude Oil can also cause long-term health problems. Individuals involved in the cleanup of oil spills have reported skin and respiratory problems years later. People living in the zone of an oil spill are often plagued by problems of the nervous system, blood and kidneys long after a spill has been contained.   Crude oil contains numerous chemicals like benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been linked to cancers and birth defects.

Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the responsible party is liable for the costs associated with the containment or cleanup of the spill and any damages resulting from the spill.

Kansas Oil Spill at Coffeyville Resources Refinery Blamed on Open Valve

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Employees at the Coffeyville Resources Refinery in Kansas failed to close a valve on one of the plant’s storage tanks during emergency shutdown procedures, an oversight that allowed more than 71,000 gallons of crude oil into the town of Coffeyville, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said. But refinery management disputes that finding, claiming that an “act of God” and not human error was to blame for the massive oil spill.

The June 30 oil spill occurred as the town was bracing for a massive flood. Coffeyville Resources was attempting to shut down the refinery before it was inundated with flood waters. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management said during the flood, oil continued to pour oil into a larger storage tank, and that tank eventually overflowed. The problem was not noticed for several hours. The state’s investigation found that one valve was not closed by plant employees during the emergency shutdown, allowing the oil to escape.

Plant spokesman Steve Eames told the Wichita Eagle that employees did their best to shut the refinery down. He said that while it usually takes 24 hours to complete an emergency shut down, the Coffeyville Refinery only had about six hours to complete the process before the flood inundated the plant. Eames contends that a malfunctioning flood gauge upstream on the Verdigris River led the plant workers to believe they would have more time to shut down the refinery. But that day, the National Weather Service had issued other warnings that indicated record flooding was imminent

At 2 a.m., with flood waters bearing down on Coffeyville, workers were ordered to leave the plant. The refinery eventually was submerged in 10 feet of water. Police and Fire Rescue teams monitoring the flood said they first noticed oil on the water around 4 a.m. It was then that Coffeyville Resources was informed of the spill.

The refinery is still completing its own investigation, but Eames told the Wichita Eagle that Coffeyville Resources employees at the plant acted “heroically”. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also awaiting the results of the company’s investigation. If the EPA is satisfied with Coffeyville Resources report, it will take no further action. However, if the report does not answer all of the EPA’s questions, the agency will ask Coffeyville Resources for more information.

The June 30 oil spill left homes and business in Coffeyville, Kansas covered in an oily muck. Coffeyville Resources has said that it would buyout homes that sustained the most damage from the spill. Already, some residents have filed a class action lawsuit against the company for damages incurred because of the spill. Coffeyville Resources has hired The O’Brien Group to help with clean-up. The O’Brien Group is a Louisiana –based company that assisted with oil-spill reclamation after Hurricane Katrina.

Coffeyville Resources Says it will Buy Some Homes Destroyed by Oil Spill

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Coffeyville Resources Refining & Marketing says that it is willing to buy back homes that sustained the most damage as a result of last month’s massive oil spill at the company’s refinery. Under the plan, qualified residents will be reimbursed for 110-percent of their homes pre-flood market value. The plan is likely an effort by Coffeyville Resources to mitigate its liability from the oil spill. Already, some residents have filed a class action lawsuit against the company for damages incurred because of the spill.

Coffeyville Resources estimates that approximately 300 homes would qualify for the program. To take advantage of the program, homeowners must contact the company within the next 30 days. Homes eligible for remediation are properties that Coffeyville Resources determined were the hardest hit by the oil spill. The company said that officials from the town of Coffeyville are behind the plan, as it provides the quickest way for the community of 11,000 people to get back on its feet.

The June 30th oil spill occurred as the town was bracing for a massive flood. Coffeyville Resources was attempting to shut down the refinery before it was inundated with flood waters. 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 as much as 71,000 gallons of oil to escape. At a town meeting following the spill, attendees wondered why the refinery waited so long to shut down when it was well known that the flood was coming. Coffeyville Resources defended its actions, saying that the flood was more severe and hit the town much sooner than had been anticipated.

Once the flood waters were gone, much of the town was covered in a black muck – residue from the oil spill. Thousands of homes will require extensive repair, while others are beyond saving and have been condemned. In a state where farming is still an important occupation, many farmers are facing dire financial prospects as a result of crop failure from contaminated soil. While this year's crops are obviously a total loss, no one knows the toll the oil spill will take on subsequent growing seasons. Cleanup of contaminated soil is no easy matter, as the old soil must literally be scooped up and replaced with new soil. It is a time consuming and expensive process. One farmer told the Wichita Eagle that he expects his crop losses this year to total more than $50,000.

There are also concerns regarding long-term health consequences related to the oil spill. Those involved in the cleanup of oil spills have reported skin and respiratory problems years later. Prolonged exposure to contaminated soil or water can affect the nervous system, blood and kidneys. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted test of the air, soil and water around the spill, and has said that it detected no dangerous levels of chemicals. Still, residents of Coffeyville are reporting the skin rashes, headaches and nausea associated with oil spill cleanups.

Coffeyville Resources has hired The O’Brien Group to help with clean-up. The O’Brien Group is a Louisiana –based company that assisted with oil-spill reclamation after Hurricane Katrina.

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Kelso & Company Affiliates Named as Additional Defendants to Kansas Oil Spill Lawsuit

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Complaint Amended to add additional defendants on behalf of a Coffeyville Resident and Business Owner, Include Entities Principally Owned by Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Kelso & Company and its Affiliates

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett Beard & Arsenault and Becnel Law Firm have been retained by numerous individuals and business owners who have sustained losses as a result of Coffeyville Oil Spill

Amended Complaint Seeking Class Action Status Filed in Kansas District Court to Benefit All Affected Residents and Businesses

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault and Becnel Law Firm LLC announce that additional defendants have been added to a class action lawsuit they have filed. The lawsuit was filed suit on behalf of a man who lost his house and business as a result of the oil that spilled from the Coffeyville Resources refinery. The suit was initially filed on July 5, 2007 in the United States District Court, District of Kansas as a class action lawsuit and has been assigned to Judge J. Thomas Marten (Docket Number 6:07-CV-1186). One of the additional defendants include Coffeyville Acquisition, LLC, an entity principally owned by Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., its subsidiary J. Aron & Company, Kelso & Company and/or its affiliates. Other additional defendants include CVR Energy, Inc.; Coffeyville Group Holdings, LLC; Coffeyville Refining and Marketing Inc.; Coffeyville Resources Crude Transportation, LLC; Coffeyville Resources Terminal, LLC; and Coffeyville Resources Pipeline, LLC.

On July 1 and July 2, 2007 more than 71,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from the Coffeyville Resources refinery, far more than the 42,000 gallons that was initially reported. The spill occurred when Coffeyville Resources mistakenly allowed crude oil to be pumped into a storage tank long after it had reached capacity. It was several hours before the leak was discovered. Due to widespread flooding that was occurring at the time of the oil spill, the crude oil reached and damaged a very large area. More than 2,500 residents and businesses have been displaced by the oil slick and “toxic soup” that made its way on the Verdigris River. In excess of 200 properties have already been destroyed by these uncontrolled waterborne poisons.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault and Becnel Law Firm LLC urge anyone affected by the Coffeyville Resources refinery oil spill to visit www.oilspillclaims.com for a free case evaluation or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

The economic effects of oil spills can be devastating and far-reaching. Large companies, sole proprietors, and individuals alike stand to endure major economic losses when oil spills occur. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the responsible party is liable for the costs associated with the containment or cleanup of the spill and any damages resulting from the spill.

Oil spills cause large scale damage, destruction and death to aquatic environments. The type of oil determines the type of damage. Crude oil is suffocating and has a toxic effect because it is like a heavy tar. Crude oil is difficult to clean and can linger in the environment for many years. Crude oil causes much damage to birds and mammals; it sticks to their fur or feathers, causing hypothermia by reducing insulation and making them easy prey. It also causes loss of weight due to lack of ability to feed and also causes damage to the digestive systems when the oil is ingested. Crude oil can destroy food and water supplies, produce toxic fumes, and destroy shorelines and riverbanks. Refined petroleum such as gasoline is generally more toxic but evaporates quickly. Refined petroleum causes damage not due to stickiness but due to toxicity. Animals become poisoned when they ingest refined petroleum products, and the poison travels up the food chain. Respiratory, immune and adrenal systems are also damaged. Blood and organs are damaged. Breeding is interrupted or halted, or offspring become poisoned and die.

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has represented thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective products, tainted foods, defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices, toxic spills and medical malpractice. For more information on Coffeyville Resources refinery oil spill to visit www.oilspillclaims.com

About Hutton & Hutton LLC
Hutton & Hutton represents people who suffer personal injury and/or economic harm. The Firm has obtained verdicts and settlements exceeding $200 million in Kansas, Oklahoma and other states.

About Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP
Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has represented injury victims and their families for almost three decades. They represent people who have suffered serious injury and death resulting from offshore and maritime incidents, automobile accidents, dangerous products, medical negligence, workplace accidents, and environmental exposure to dangerous and toxic substances. They also served on the executive committee in the litigation brought as a result of the oil spill at the Murphy Oil refinery during Hurricane Katrina.

Becnel Law Firm LLC
Becnel Law Firm LLC is a full service law firm representing clients both locally and nationally. Becnel Law Firm, LLC has been in existence for over 30 years and is one of the largest personal injury firms in the New Orleans area. They were heavily involved in the litigation and resolution of numerous claims brought as a result of the oil spill at the Murphy Oil refinery during Hurricane Katrina.

CONTACT:

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
David Krangle, Esq.
1-800-LAW-INFO
1-800-529-4636
dkrangle@yourlawyer.com
www.yourlawyer.com

Coffeyville Refinery Owner Goldman Sachs Feeling Heat as Kansas Oil Spill Rescuers Begin Showing Signs of Illness

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

First responders to the Coffeyville, Kansas Oil Spill have begun to show signs of illness, prompting state officials to once again order residents of the oil-soaked town to leave the area. This is ominous news for investment giant Goldman Sachs, which plans to sell stock in Coffeyville Resources, the refinery responsible for last week’s massive spill. Goldman Sachs owns CVR Energy, Inc, the unit that manages the Coffeyville refinery. Already, a lawsuit has been filed against Coffeyville Resources, and many more are expected to follow.

This past weekend, Kansas officials halted the return of hundreds of Coffeyville residents who had been allowed to come back to assess the damage done to their homes in the wake of the flood and oil spill. Health officials had begun to see cases of skin rashes and diarrhea among rescue workers who have had prolonged exposure to the contaminated flood waters. Possible negative health consequences are always a concern during oil spills. Exposure to contaminated soil or water can affect the nervous system, blood and kidneys. There is evidence that workers in the petroleum industry have a higher chance of developing skin cancers and leukemia. For this reason, Kansas officials cordoned off Coffeyville until a more thorough assessment of the health dangers could be made.

Ramifications from the contaminated floodwaters could be felt as far away as Wall Street, where Goldman Sachs had planned to offer an initial public offering (IPO) of Coffeyville Resources stock in the coming months. According to a June 5 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the investment banker planned to offer 21-percent of the company to the public in the hopes of raising $375 million. But because the success of an IPO hinges on the future prospects of a company, it is questionable whether that figure is realistic considering the staggering costs associated with the oil spill cleanup. There is also concern that lawsuits stemming from the spill will put further strain on Coffeyville Resources’ bottom line. Already, one oil spill lawsuit has been filed against the company, and it is not known how many more will follow. Although the company does have insurance to cover damages and liability up to $1.25 billion, the refinery would have to remain closed for more than 45 days for the policy to take effect. Coffeyville Resources has not yet calculated the costs of cleanup or potential liabilities, nor does it have a timeline for reopening the refinery.

The Kansas oil spill occurred on June 30 when Coffeyville Resources was attempting to shut down the refinery before it was inundated with flood waters. 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 as much as 42,000 gallons of oil to escape. The town of Coffeyville, with a population of 11,000, has so far been hardest hit, although water supplies in several Kansas and Oklahoma communities might have been compromised.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault and Becnel Law Firm LLC File Lawsuit Concerning Kansas Oil Spill on behalf of a Coffeyville Resident and Business Owner

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Class Action Status Requested To Benefit All Affected Residents and Businesses

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault and Becnel Law Firm LLC announces that they have filed suit on behalf of a man who lost his house and business as a result of the oil that spilled from the Coffeyville Resources refinery. The suit was filed on July 5, 2007 in the United States District Court, District of Kansas as a class action lawsuit and has been assigned to Judge J. Thomas Marten (Docket Number 6:07-CV-1186). The defendants named in the complaint include Coffeyville Resources, LLC; Coffeyville Resources Refining & Marketing, LLC; Coffeyville Resources Crude Transportation, LLC; Coffeyville Resources Terminal, LLC; Coffeyville Resources Pipeline, LLC; and Coffeyville Resources Nitrogen Fertilizers, LLC.

On July 1 and July 2, 2007 more than 71,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from the Coffeyville Resources refinery, far more than the 42,000 gallons that was initially reported. Due to widespread flooding that was occurring at the time of the oil spill, the crude oil reached and damaged a very large area. More than 2,500 residents and businesses have been displaced by the oil slick and “toxic soup” that made its way on the Verdigris River. In excess of 200 properties have already been destroyed by these uncontrolled waterborne poisons. Refinery officials said they are still investigating how the spill occurred.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Hutton & Hutton Law Firm LLC, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault and Becnel Law Firm LLC urge anyone affected by the Coffeyville Resources refinery oil spill to visit www.oilspillclaims.com for a free case evaluation or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

The economic effects of oil spills can be devastating and far-reaching. Large companies, sole proprietors, and individuals alike stand to endure major economic losses when oil spills occur. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the responsible party is liable for the costs associated with the containment or cleanup of the spill and any damages resulting from the spill.

Oil spills cause large scale damage, destruction and death to aquatic environments. The type of oil determines the type of damage. Crude oil is suffocating and has a toxic effect because it is like a heavy tar. Refined petroleum such as gasoline is generally more toxic but evaporates quickly. Crude oil causes much damage to birds and mammals; it sticks to their fur or feathers, causing hypothermia by reducing insulation and making them easy prey. It also causes loss of weight due to lack of ability to feed and also causes damage to the digestive systems when the oil is ingested. Refined petroleum causes damage not due to stickiness but due to toxicity. Animals become poisoned when they ingest refined petroleum products, and the poison travels up the food chain. Respiratory, immune and adrenal systems are also damaged. Blood and organs are damaged. Breeding is interrupted or halted, or offspring become poisoned and die.

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has represented thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective products, tainted foods, defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices, toxic spills and medical malpractice. For more information on Coffeyville Resources refinery oil spill to visit www.oilspillclaims.com

About Hutton & Hutton LLC
Hutton & Hutton represents people who suffer personal injury and/or economic harm. The Firm has obtained verdicts and settlements exceeding $200 million in Kansas, Oklahoma and other states.

About Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP
Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has represented injury victims and their families for almost three decades. They represent people who have suffered serious injury and death resulting from offshore and maritime incidents, automobile accidents, dangerous products, medical negligence, workplace accidents, and environmental exposure to dangerous and toxic substances. They also served on the executive committee in the litigation brought as a result of the oil spill at the Murphy Oil refinery during Hurricane Katrina.

About Becnel Law Firm LLC
Becnel Law Firm LLC is a full service law firm representing clients both locally and nationally. Becnel Law Firm, LLC has been in existence for over 30 years and is one of the largest personal injury firms in the New Orleans area. They were heavily involved in the litigation and resolution of numerous claims brought as a result of the oil spill at the Murphy Oil refinery during Hurricane Katrina.

CONTACT:

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
David Krangle, Esq.
1-800-LAW-INFO
1-800-529-4636
dkrangle@yourlawyer.com
www.yourlawyer.com

Huge Kansas Oil Spill Threatens Thousands in Kansas and Oklahoma

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A gigantic oil spill this past weekend at the Coffeyville Resources Refinery in Kansas has residents of that state, as well as Oklahoma, bracing for what could be a huge environmental disaster. The refinery, which is owned by CVR Resources, was submerged under 4-6 feet of water during weekend flooding when a pumping malfunction allowed at least 42,000 gallons of crude oil to escape the plant. The resulting slick of the Kansas Oil Spill is headed down the Verdigris River, and fears are growing that the oil spill could contaminate Oologah Lake in Oklahoma. Between them, the Verdigris River and Oologah Lake provide water for nine separate municipalities.

Witnesses to the disaster said that the odor from the slick could be smelled for miles, and reported that a sticky muck was covering pets, possessions and emergency personnel. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has teams on the scene, and at least a third of the homes in Coffeyville and Independence, Kansas have been evacuated.

Oil spills like the one in Kansas can lead to horrible environmental consequences, cause devastating heath problems as well as huge property loss for residents. They can devastate fish and wildlife populations for years, and can cause serious health problems in humans. Just breathing petroleum vapors can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and respiratory irritation. Those involved in the cleanup of oil spills have reported skin and respiratory problems years later. Prolonged exposure to contaminated soil or water can affect the nervous system, blood and kidneys. Animals that have been exposed to high levels of petroleum products have been found to suffer from liver and kidney cancers. There is evidence that workers in the petroleum industry have a higher chance of developing skin cancers and leukemia.

Because the refinery is still largely under water, officials concede that they have not been able to ascertain exactly how much oil has escaped from the Coffeyville Refinery. Initial estimates were as low as 1000 gallons early on, but officials now say at least 42,000 gallons have been let loose from the plant. The Coffeyville Refinery processes around 108,000 barrels of crude oil each day, and has the capacity to store 2.7 million barrels of crude oil and refined products.

The spill, which was detected at 3:55 am Sunday, 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. The town of Coffeyville, with a population of 11,000, has so far been hardest hit. Town officials fear that if floodwaters do not recede soon, they will have to start pumping water back into the river basin, putting all area water supplies at risk.

Heavy rains have plagued the lower Midwest for 20 days now, causing widespread flooding throughout Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. So far, in Kansas alone 18 counties have been declared disaster areas due to the flooding.

Seattle firm warned BP about pipeline

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

An engineering firm raised a red flag more than four years ago about BP PLC's monitoring of its Alaska oil pipelines, documents show.

The draft report by Seattle's Coffman Engineers, published in November 2001, is among documents being reviewed by a federal grand jury in Anchorage that is investigating a March oil spill of more than 200,000 gallons from a pipe on the western side of the Prudhoe Bay oil field.

BP shut down part of its operations at the oil field this month after leaks and corrosion in low-pressure pipe were found on the eastern side.

The engineering firm's final report was significantly toned down after BP responded to the draft, the documents showed.

The grand jury is looking into possible criminal violations of the federal Clean Water Act, which carries penalties for negligent conduct that leads to an oil spill.

Coffman also has cited corrosion problems as the cause of small leaks and other damage that triggered the partial shutdown this month.

The Coffman documents were made public Friday on the Project on Government Oversight Web site by Charles Hamel, a former oil broker and a watchdog of Alaska's oil industry. In a letter sent Aug. 22 to the federal Office of Pipeline Safety, Hamel accused BP of "whitewashing" away criticism.

Coffman's work was done under contract with the state of Alaska, which requires the monitoring effort.

The 2001 report questioned whether BP was using remote-operated devices that check for corrosion and other wear extensively enough. Most of the comments about the devices were eliminated from the final report, published early in 2002.

In the aftermath of last March's spill, BP acknowledged that the transit lines in western Prudhoe Bay had gone without an inspection by the remote-operated device since 1998, and it has been scrambling to make those inspections.

Large oil spill occurs in Indian Ocean

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

A Japanese tanker spilled about 1.4 million gallons of crude oil in the eastern Indian Ocean following a collision with a cargo ship, the tanker's operator said Tuesday. Japan's Kyodo news service said the spill which would be about 4,500 tons may have been the largest ever involving a Japanese tanker.

In a separate oil spill, the Philippines said that a tanker had sunk in rough seas Friday off the coast of Guimaras Island, about 312 miles southeast of Manila. About 528,000 gallons of industrial fuel was leaking from the accident, officials said.

A central Philippine island province declared a "state of calamity" following what authorities called the country's worst spill.

Faced with a potential "environmental catastrophe," the Philippine coast guard called for a national mobilization of resources to mitigate the impact of the large amount of leaking fuel, "which is now considered as the biggest major oil spill that has hit our country."

The Japanese tanker Bright Artemis spilled the oil following a collision Monday with the Amar, a smaller cargo ship, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said in a statement. It said the accident took place when the tanker maneuvered near the Amar, which was in distress about 300 miles west of India's Nicobar islands.

The exact amount of the spill was not clear, the announcement said. The tanker was carrying about 77.6 million gallons, or 250,000 tons, of crude. It had left port in Oman bound for Japan.

There were no reports of injuries aboard the tanker, which had a Croatian captain and crew of 23, or the Amar, which was registered in Singapore.

Mitsui said the spill had been reported to Singaporean and Indian Coast Guard officials.

The largest oil spill involving a U.S. vessel occurred when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker emptied 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound off the coast of Alaska in 1989, killing hundreds of thousands of birds and marine animals and soiling more than 1,200 miles of rocky beach.

Exxon Valdez, lingering biological impacts?

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Nearly twenty years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the government says Exxon needs to pay up. To date, Exxon has paid nine hundred million dollars in restitution for the oil spill. But now federal and state authorities say that money was not enough. They are asking the oil giant for nearly a hundred million more.

The original 1991, civil suit against Exxon says the government has until September of this year to claim up to a hundred million more dollars from the company. That is, if they can prove that entire populations are feeling the negative effect of the oil spill. But Exxon doesn't think they can do that.

"The current request seems to be focused primarily, if not exclusively, on the hypothesis that remaining weathered oil might be capable of causing some biological impacts. Nothing that we have seen so far indicates that this request for further funding is justified," said Mark Boudreaux, Exxon Mobil.

The attorney general's office says multiple studies show the oil is reducing survival rates of some marine species and disrupting local fishing. And as a recent CBS 11 News I-Team investigation found out, residents of the area agree.

"We are the only area in the state that has no herring fishery and has not had a herring fishery for a number of years. And we are the only ones who had an oil spill happen," said Ross Mullins, Cordova Resident.

The government must now prove that the effects we are seeing today from the oil spill weren't at all expected -- something Exxon claims they just can't do.

"The remaining pockets of oil were fully anticipated when the federal and state governments looked at the evidence from prior spills. So, there is nothing surprising that has occurred since 1991," said Boudreaux.

And based on that alone, exxon says there is no justification for this reopener clause. But the alaska attorney general's office disagrees.

"We know there is lingering oil because we have dug it up and found it. We dug over six thousand pits looking for it. And it was detected in the water column. It remains there in not only greater quantities, but it is substantially more toxic than anyone believed would be true at this point," said Craig Tillery, Alaska Deputy Attorney General.

Exxon does admit that oil remains in the sound, but they say it isn't harming anything.

"There's no evidence that it could cause, or is causing, any damage to any population or species. The spill occurred 17 years ago, and we deeply regret that the spill had emotional and financial impact in the short-term. And many people have deep emotional feelings about it today about it," said Boudreaux.

Even if Exxon does pay up, it might not be enough to repair the lives on the Prince William Sound.

"We lost pretty much all hope here. And that's a real sad feeling for the people. There used to be 3,600 that lived here year round. Now we have 2,400," said Kory Blake, Resident.

Exxon Mobil now has 90 days to evaluate the government's request before they respond. Of course, CBS 11 News will continue to monitor this case and we will bring you any new information as it becomes available.

Bombshell oil spill study

Fri, 26 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

State officials and ExxonMobil executives have known for as long as 10 years that potentially toxic gases escaped from a massive Greenpoint oil spill, court papers show.

The environmental group Riverkeeper recently made the discovery in two reports released by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the oil company as part of a lawsuit.

"If Exxon knew at the time [of a 1997 City Council hearing on the matter] about this study, then the people have been sold a false bill of goods," said Riverkeeper investigator Basil Seggos.

State DEC officials have repeatedly insisted the massive underground oil spill first discovered in 1978 was not toxic.

But a 1996 report conducted for Eldorado, Ltd., a coffee roasting company considering moving to an industrial lot on Apollo St. above the spill, found high levels of benzene vapors, a known carcinogen.

"Apollo St. was not suitable because of the oil problem," said Eldorado owner Segundo Martin yesterday from his roasting plant in Masbeth, Queens.

A second study, carried out in 1998 for ExxonMobil, found the potential for gas vapors moving into the neighborhood.

Seggos said DEC and ExxonMobil officials testified before the City Council in 1997 that no dangerous vapors were escaping from the spill.

"If anyone got sick based on what was asserted in 1997, God help ExxonMobil," Seggos said.

An ExxonMobil spokesman said yesterday the company was unable to immediately respond to questions about the newly revealed reports, but insisted the oil giant was not "previously aware of vapor or other health-related issues in the residential community."

Spill neighbors blasted the DEC and ExxonMobil over the revelations.

"They're full of crap," said a disgusted Tom Stagg, a Greenpoint resident who has lost several relatives to cancer. "They're bull-crapping the neighborhood with propaganda."

DEC officials insisted the two reports had previously been made public and that officials have "indicated publicly many times that there is the potential for vapor issues."

As a result, the state "has required monitoring and sampling," a DEC spokeswoman said in a statement.

As recently as January, at a public meeting presided over by the DEC in Greenpoint, oil company representatives denied there were dangerous vapors escaping from industrial lots.

The DEC is set to hold a second public hearing tonight.

"This sounds like the first evidence of a coverup," said City Councilman David Yassky (D-Greenpoint). "I just hope the state has not been deliberately misleading the public about a health hazard."

Safety of Alaska oil tanks questioned

Wed, 24 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The safety of massive oil tanks in Alaska is being questioned this week as the House of Representatives prepares to debate opening more of the state’s environmentally protected areas to oil exploration.

The tanks, owned by Alyeska Pipeline Service a company owned by oil giants BP, Exxon and ConocoPhillips were investigated several years ago and deemed fit for service. But this month a member of the Joint Pipeline Office (JPO), which combines federal and state regulators to ensure the safety of Alaska’s oil industry, approached Glen Plumlee, a former senior financial analyst at Alyeska, to discuss the situation again, Mr Plumlee said.

Mr Plumlee detailed the concerns of the JPO employee in a letter to Chuck Hamel, a former Alaska oil worker who brings whistleblower complaints to regulators.

The letter revives the earlier claims of faulty welding, saying regulators under the JPO agreed to permit the work despite the risk posed to the environment.

“Catastrophic failure of even one Valdez tank could endanger the entire terminal, pollute Prince William Sound on the order of the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, as well as stop a substantial portion of the entire domestic US crude oil supply while the terminal is repaired and the spill contained,” Mr Plumlee said.

The letter states that if even one tank, each of which holds 510,000 barrels of oil, should give way, the environmental impact would be disastrous. The Exxon Valdez spill, the largest ever in the US, leaked 260,000 barrels of oil.

Rhea DoBosh, JPO spokeswoman, said a JPO employee was contacted by an Environmental Protection Agency investigator a week ago to discuss employee concerns about the tanks. The JPO employee, who has asked for anonymity, told the FT that he would have to get permission from the agents before discussing the issue and referred further questions to Ms DoBosh.

Both the JPO and Alyeska deny any problem with the welding, as they did previously.

“There is no integrity risk regarding the crude oil storage tanks at the Valdez Marine Terminal,’’ said Mike Heatwole, Alyeska spokesman. “The issues we’ve been discussing are old issues that have been thoroughly reviewed – internally and externally.’’

Regardless of how the matter unfolds, the allegations are likely to renew concerns about Alaska’s oil industry in the House debate. The industry has recently been criticised for a big spill and corrosion issues at Prudhoe Bay, north America’s largest oil field, which is co-owned by Alyeska’s owners.

People in Alaska have expressed their own concerns. “We don’t want a full tank of oil coming down the hill into our water,” said Stan Stevens, president of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council, a congressionally mandated group charged with environmental oversight of oil terminals and tankers in the area.

Oil-spill victims turn to Congress

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Eileen Mullen, a fisherman's daughter and a fisherman's sister, was one of the few women with her own commercial fishing boat in Prince William Sound 17 years ago.

She began as a deckhand in her teens and saved enough to buy The Peggy J in 1985. But four years later, the Exxon Valdez oil spill destroyed her and her brother's fishing businesses.

She now runs a bed and breakfast in Homer, Alaska.

"But," she said as tears welled up, "there isn't a day I don't wake up and wish I was still fishing."

This week, Mullen, 58, came to Capitol Hill with others from Washington and Alaska whose livelihoods were wiped out by the spill in Prince William Sound.

She and her companions want Exxon Mobil to pay the $4.5 billion in punitive damages they won in a trial in 1994, five years after the spill.

The award was upheld by a federal appeals court, but the 33,000 plaintiffs still are waiting for their checks. More than 5,200 of the plaintiffs are from Washington state.

Today, they will join Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, to press members of Congress to sign a letter to Exxon asking it to pay up.

The three members of Alaska's congressional delegation sent a letter to Exxon a couple weeks ago, urging the company to resolve the issue soon.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, met with some of the victims Wednesday. "Sen. Murkowski believes this has gone on too long. She would like this quickly settled, and she has conveyed this to Exxon," her aide Kevin Sweeney said.

Reichert's event in the Capitol coincides with Exxon Mobil's release of its quarterly profits statement today. The company made $36 billion in profits last year, driven by high oil and gasoline prices after Hurricane Katrina.

Pressure on the oil industry is growing again, amid a new round of rising gasoline prices.

Reichert and the victims are working to win the support of Alaska's two senators and one representative, all Republicans. But Exxon is one of the leading political contributors to the Republican Party, and an important force in Alaska politics.

The Alaskans, Sens. Murkowski and Ted Stevens, and Rep. Don Young, hadn't signed Reichert's letter by Wednesday. But Reichert said that "Congressman Young has encouraged me to push forward."

Reichert will formally begin circulating the letter in the House today.

Among the signatories so far is Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, chair of the House Republican Conference. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Bremerton, and Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, also signed on.

"I believe it is time for Exxon Mobil to resolve this litigation and accept the legal consequences of its actions," Smith said.

Seattle fisherman Erik Ask said he came to D.C. this week "to get justice" on behalf of his father. Kjartan Ask, 78, still fishes each season. "We're finally past the point where we wait for the check to come," Erik Ask said. It's time to act, he said.

The Exxon Valdez plaintiffs brought pictures of them in happier days on their boats. They also brought a sealed plastic bag with a large tar ball from sediment that remains in the beaches of Prince William Sound.

"You only have to dig down a foot to find the oil," Bellingham fisherman Bill Black said. "The cold temperatures have kept a lot of it here after all this time, and after the cleanup that Exxon talks about."

Exxon has been appealing the punitive-damage award since 1994. It argued in court in January that it should pay no more than $25 million.

"We want to get this case behind us," said Exxon spokesman Mark Boudreaux.

He added that the company has paid about $3 billion for the cleanup and costs to those immediately affected by the spill.

"We believe that actual damages associated with the spill have been paid," Boudreaux said.

Reichert's opponent in this year's congressional election, Darcy Burner, said that while she supports Reichert's efforts, "I'll be more impressed when he does something. He could introduce legislation, or push to roll back big oil companies' billion-dollar tax breaks."

Oil Spills Toxic Substances Pollutant Side Effect Injury Lawyer

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Oil Spills

Oil spills destroy marine environments and wreak havoc on human population. Oil spills are one of the worst environmental disasters causing both short-term and long-term pollutant side effects include dead and dying wildlife, tarred beaches, damaged fisheries and contaminated water supplies. Toxic substances from oil spills can remain in land and water for years. It takes only one quart of oil to pollute approximately 150,000 gallons of water.

Crude oil contains numerous materials that pose both short-term and long-term dangers to humans, including benzene and chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Short-term exposure to benzene causes dizziness and nausea, and long-term exposure has been linked to leukemia and other maladies, according to the EPA. The EPA says some PAH chemicals are carcinogens.

The demand for oil becomes greater and greater each day. Oil is drilled from the ground, treated, transported and stored. There are many steps in this process during which oil can spill from wellheads, drill rigs, tankers, pipelines and storage tanks. Oil can leak from ocean-going ships during accidental and deliberate spills.

Oil spills can happen on land or water when oil is incorrectly handled, there are railway or truck accidents, tankers or barges collide, the insides of tankers are washed, and when natural oil deposits seep. Additionally, when people change the oil in their cars, they dump the used, dirty oil on the ground or down the storm sewer. When it rains the oil with the metals and particles from the car engine flows into streams and creeks.

Kansas Oil Spill
A massive oil spill at the Coffeyville Resources Refinery has left thousands of residents in Kansas and Oklahoma dealing with a horrible environmental and economic disaster. Property damage, illness and environmental cleanup are just the tip of the iceberg for what the people and business in the area are now facing as a result of the oil spill in Kansas. During heavy flooding a pumping malfunction allowed at least 42,000 gallons of oil to spew out of the plant causing an oil slick to travel down the Verdigris River.

The Exxon Valdez
The Exxon Valdez was the worst oil spill in U.S. history. It took place in March 1989 in Prince William Sound, Alaska. An estimated 11 million gallons (260,000 barrels) of oil spilled from the tanker. It spread out to 900 miles of shoreline. Cleanup costs of this spill exceeded $2 billion.

Legal Rights for Victims of Oil Spills
If you or a loved one suffered serious health issues from an oil spill, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified pollutants attorney.