Call Today for a FREE Confidential Case Review
Toll-Free 24/7 (866) 920-0753

Mayflower, Arkansas Oil Spill Lawsuit

On March 29, ExxonMobil’s Pegasus oil pipeline ruptured and spilled at least 12,000 barrels of thick, black crude oil into the streets of the Northwood subdivision in Mayflower, Arkansas. Families in 40 homes were evacuated as toxic fumes spread throughout the neighborhood. Thousands of area residents have banded together, and many are now seeking justice and compensation by filing a Mayflower, Arkansas oil spill lawsuit for damage to their health, property value, and the future of their community.

What You Can Do & How a Class Action Lawsuit Can Help

Free Case Evaluation: If you have been the victim of the Exxon Mayflower oil spill, you should contact our lawyers immediately. We are currently investigating the potential in filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of homeowners who have been adversely affected by this disaster.  Your contact information and what we discuss is completely confidential. We look forward to hearing from you.

UPDATE: Class Action Lawsuit Filed

April 5, 2013 — A class action lawsuit has been filed against Exxon for the oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas on March 29. The plaintiffs, Kimla Greene and Kathryn Chunn, are seeking in excess of $5 million in compensation and punitive damages for “permanent” property damage, and more. Click here to read more.

Exxon Oil Spill in Mayflower, Arkansas

The ExxonMobil Pegasus oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas occurred on the afternoon of March 29, 2013. The pipeline, which is capable of carrying 90,000 barrels of crude oil per day, continued leaking until about 3 a.m. on Sunday, March 31. Home-videos and aerial footage showed a river of thick, sticky oil flowing through the street and yards of many homes.

Residents of 22 homes were immediately evacuated as toxic fumes spread throughout the neighborhood and near a school. Exxon deployed cleanup teams in yellow hazmat suits who recovered 12,000 barrels of oil and wastewater from the streets. The oil spilled into storm drains, but local emergency response teams built a dike before the oil could reach a nearby fishing lake. Exxon later deployed booms into the lake as a precaution.

The 65-year old Pegasus pipeline was originally designed to carry thinner oil. However, seven years ago, Exxon started using the pipe to transport diluted bitumen. This low-quality tar sand oil from Canada’s Alberta region is a thick, sticky, semi-solid form of petroleum. To pump this sludge, significantly higher pressure is required. Although the pipes carrying the oil were ancient, Exxon did not update the pipes or warn nearby residents of the additional hazard.

Furthermore, because diluted bitumen is not technically “oil,” ExxonMobil avoids paying a $0.8-per-barrel tax that is used to fund U.S. government oil-spill cleanup operations.

Health and Safety Risks of a Crude Oil Spill

Residents of Mayflower, Arkansas have been exposed to highly-toxic, carcinogenic fumes from the Exxon crude oil spill. Many residents reported smells “like burning tired” or “drying asphalt.” These hazardous fumes come from vaporized natural gas liquids. Even short-term exposure is dangerous — especially for children and people with frail immune systems.

One of the most toxic chemicals in crude oil is benzene. This carcinogenic chemical evaporates easily, is highly toxic, travels rapidly along the ground, and has a “sweet” smell.

Health and safety risks of crude oil exposure include:

  • Breathing problems
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Central nervous system disorders
  • Heart problems (such as ventricular fibrillation)
  • Skin irritation, burns, swelling, or redness
  • Permanent skin damage
  • Pain
  • Organ damage (especially lungs, kidneys, liver)
  • Cancer
  • And more

To learn more about the toxic health effects of crude oil exposure, click here.

Protect Your Property Value Damage Claim

For most people, buying a home is the biggest investment they will ever make. Unfortunately, homeowners in the Northwoods subdivision in Mayflower, Arkansas will probably have significant problems selling their home for what it was worth before the oil spill. The environmental contamination may be permanent. Homeowners may now be asking themselves, “How will I ever sell my house?”

Even more troubling — many residents reported that they “didn’t even know” that there was a major oil pipeline running underground through their neighborhood.

Exxon has offered to pay displaced residents $1,800 for temporary relocation. At a town hall meeting, they also provided Easter baskets. However, these overtures will be of little value to homeowners who may lose tens of thousands of dollars on their home.

Contact a Lawyer to Protect Your Legal Claim

Contact a lawyer before you accept compensation from ExxonMobil. The company has established a claims hotline and they have already received about 140 claims. Officials announced that they will be “paying for the cleanup and will honor all valid claims.”

But before you sign anything, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. ExxonMobil may be offering you a “low ball settlement” to avoid future liability from a class action lawsuit or individual lawsuits.

Exxon Oil Spill Class Action Lawsuit

It can be daunting to fight a massive corporation by yourself. If you decide to file or join a class action lawsuit for the Exxon oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas, you could be awarded significantly more compensation than what ExxonMobil has offered to pay you individually.

You are not alone — dozens of homeowners are facing extensive property damage, decreased property values, and uncertain health consequences. You have a right to seek significant financial compensation from ExxonMobil.

Our lawyers will help you fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve, which may include:

  • Cost of cleanup
  • Property damage
  • Decreased property value
  • Cost of relocating or selling your home
  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses
  • Future medical care
  • Emotional injury, stress, anxiety
  • Lost opportunity costs
  • Punitive damages
  • And more

Do I have an Exxon Oil Spill Class Action Lawsuit?

Free Case Evaluation: If you have been the victim of the Exxon Mayflower oil spill, you should contact our lawyers immediately. We are currently investigating the potential in filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of homeowners who have been adversely affected by this disaster.  Your contact information and what we discuss is completely confidential. We look forward to hearing from you.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

Free Case Evaluation


The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.

No matter what type of case you have, you may contact us with confidence by filling out the email contact form below or calling us directly by dialing toll free 24 hrs/day (866) 920-0753.