The Hidden Catastrophe: An Oil Tank Leak Disaster in North Attleborough:
A North Attleborough family is sounding the alarm after suffering a devastating oil tank leak disaster that caused catastrophic environmental damage and left them with nearly $400,000 in out-of-pocket expenses—all of which their insurance refused to cover.
A Disaster Unfolds Beneath Their Feet:
For Kathleen and John Murray, an ordinary February day turned into a nightmare. Their 20-year-old outdoor oil tank ruptured, spilling 190 gallons.
Toxic fuel seeped under the slab and into the crawl space. It reached a nearby French drain and threatened public areas and groundwater.
The spill triggered a full-scale environmental emergency.
A Financial Tsunami with No Insurance Lifeline:
To date, the Murrays have paid nearly $90,000 in cleanup costs, with projections pushing the final bill to $400,000. The real gut punch? Their homeowner’s insurance policy provided no assistance. When they contacted their insurer, the company told them their standard policy didn’t cover oil tank leak disasters. The news blindsided the couple.
“It’s been about 90,000 so far and it’s probably going to be another 300,” Kathleen said grimly.
“I imagine there are very few homeowners who can take a hit of $400K and not be severely impacted,” added John, who revealed the incident has derailed their retirement and threatens their children’s college education.
The Silent Trap of Missing Coverage:
The Murrays discovered, too late, that a simple and inexpensive policy rider—often costing less than $100 annually—could have protected them from this financial ruin. But no one ever mentioned it. Not their broker, not their insurance company, and not their home inspector.
Attorney Susan Crane, who has handled oil spill cases for over 25 years, says this is a tragically common scenario. “What homeowners should know is if you do have a fuel oil leak, it could be devastating,” she warns. “There is no requirement in the legislation that brokers or insurers inform clients of the oil spill rider option. Most people don’t even know it exists.”
Environmental Fallout of Oil Tank Leak Disaster Spills:
This oil tank leak disaster drained the Murrays’ bank account and released toxic pollutants into the environment. The oil seeped under the slab, into the crawl space, and French drain.The leak pumped contaminants toward the street—an environmental emergency, Kathleen explained.
“It had gone under the slab, then into the crawl space, and into the French drain,” Kathleen explained. “It was pumping toward the street—which was the environmental emergency.”
Local and state environmental protection agencies often mandate extensive remediation in these cases, including soil excavation, air quality monitoring, and groundwater testing—none of which come cheap.
A Wake-Up Call for All Homeowners:
The Murray family’s ordeal is a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in older heating systems. If your home relies on oil heat and your tank is more than 15 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement—or at the very least, add an oil spill rider to your insurance policy.
Don’t let an oil tank leak disaster destroy your financial future. Learn from the Murrays’ experience before it’s too late.
