Businesses with ties to the Houston Ship Channel are reporting a period of rapid growth this year, estimating some $35 billion in capital investment and maintenance over the course of the next three years.

That’s an increase of about $14 billion from reported earlier estimates.

This is great news for the economy and the maritime industry. However, our Louisiana maritime injury attorneys just hope some of those investment funds will be funneled into boosting safety protections for the hundreds of thousands of workers who will be employed as the industry booms. Early reports are that investment in maintenance will be relatively modest, compared to the investment in infrastructure, which has more than doubled over the last year – and is expected to double again by next year.

Investment may actually increase even more, as only 51 of 132 targeted companies responded to the survey, despite the guarantee of anonymity from the Port of Houston Authority. The companies aren’t required to disclose their investment information, but we can expect that even those who did not answer will be investing heavily in coming years.

A major reason for the increase has to do with the boom in natural gas at domestic refineries. Other firms are spending billions of dollars in order to accommodate more use of this fuel. Advancements in a process of extraction called hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” has produced an excess of natural gas in recent years.

Ultimately, what all of this means is that there will be an estimated 112,000 new construction jobs in the area, in addition to the numerous maritime industry jobs that the expansion will accommodate. Some companies have come forward publicly to announce intentions to expand capacity by up to 20 percent over the next several years.

This growth is noteworthy because there hasn’t been a similar boom in this industry since at least the mid-1990s. We anticipate that similar growth may be expected at other regions along the Gulf Coast.

One important thing this survey does is provide a stronger argument to Congress for federal funds, as well as a greater share of the tax resources. As it now stands, just to maintain the width and depth of the channel through dredging, businesses along the area have to pay about $85 million for maintenance. However, only about $30 million of that is reimbursed by the federal government.

Maintenance of current facilities will be important to ensuring the safety of those workers.

Some different types of work accidents that preventative maintenance can circumvent include:

• Crude oil tanker and cargo ship explosions, which are often caused due to faulty systems that were not regularly serviced or properly inspected.
• Marine crane accidents on ports or ships. The risk is further amplified by the fact that the sea has a tendency to wear equipment much faster. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential.
• Shipyard injuries and illnesses – often related to construction – are unfortunately commonplace. These might include falls, falling debris, faulty equipment or even the release of poisonous fumes.
• Barge accidents, which are often caused by faulty towing cables.
• Cargo hauling accidents. It’s been well-documented that cargo haulers have one of the highest injury rates within the maritime industry.

If you or a loved one suffered a Gulf Coast maritime injury or have lost a relative in an offshore fatality, Call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-CALL-GEE (1-800-225-5433) or contact us online today.

Any time offshore oil drilling occurs, there is always a chance that accidents can occur and that a spill can happen. This is especially true when expanding into new drilling areas where the crews may not be as experienced and where locals may not be well-equipped to address a potential accident that causes an oil spill.

Now, Fox News reports that international oil companies are “lining up” to take advantage of new offshore drilling opportunities in the Caribbean. Our Louisiana maritime injury lawyers know that these oil companies are taking on a major risk and that expanding the drilling into the Caribbean could have devastating effects within the United States.

The Dangers of Expanding Drilling Into New Areas

The waters of the Caribbean are well known for being pristine, and the white sand beaches in the area are a major draw for tourists. The potential damage that could befall these waters and beaches is one concern that is being expressed as international oil companies jump into the efforts to locate offshore deposits. Oil speculators are working the Caribbean from the Bahamas and Cuba stretching all the way to Suriname and Aruba.

The potential risks of offshore drilling are becoming a major issue now as there is a great deal of interest in drilling in these areas; countries hope that they can be part of a “black-gold bonanza.” Drilling for oil could result in a more diversified economy within the Caribbean, and could lessen the demand for imported oil at a time when a barrel of oil has become very expensive.

Unfortunately, drilling isn’t without risk and not everyone is enthusiastic about oil companies heading to the Caribbean. The potential damage that could result from an oil spill in these regions would do more than just harm the waters and beaches of the Caribbean. As Fox News reports, ocean currents would likely result in oil coming to the shores of the U.S. Coast. Such a spill would harm areas that are still trying to recover from the Deepwater Horizon accident that dumped so much oil into our coastal waters.

The concerns about drilling in this area are very high not just because the oil could spread to the United States, but also because in any situation when a new drilling site is opened, there is the potential that mistakes might occur. Further, when a spill happens, it could take time to figure out how to solve the problem in an area where drilling has not routinely occurred in the past.

Local authorities who are considering opening up the waters to drilling are creating a plan to deal with a spill in case it happens. Oil companies who initiate drilling in the area may also use experienced workers from the United States to set up and work on the offshore platforms. Of course, this means that there would need to be a clear plan in place not only to solve the problem of spilling oil if it occurred but also to ensure that workers were kept safe while working on oil platforms in such a remote area of the world.

If you or a loved one suffered a Gulf Coast maritime injury or have lost a relative in an offshore fatality, call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

According to the Times-Picayune, the senior tool pusher aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig was recently given a chance to testify at a civil trial where liability was to be determined arising from the massive 2010 disaster. This was not the first time the toolpusher, Randy Ezell, had been asked to offer testimony. Ezell also spoke in May 2010 at a joint hearing conducted by the Minerals Management Service and the Coast Guard.

Our offshore oil injury lawyers are glad that Mr. Ezell was given a chance to tell his story about the frightening moments aboard the rig before the explosion and fire that led to one of the worst environmental disasters in history. Workers are often the last line of defense when a problem develops on offshore rigs and they are often put into dangerous situations in an effort to help stop leaks and curb burgeoning disasters.

Toolpusher Testimony on Events Leading Up to the Oil Spill

According to the testimony presented before the joint committee and in the civil trial, the first sign of potential trouble was seen when a negative pressure test run occurred on April 20 around 4 p.m. Because of the test, Ezell agreed to stay on duty to help the man, Jason Anderson, who had assumed control of drilling operations after the shift change. Anderson was one of the workers who died in the explosion and was described as a top-notch tool person.

Ezell said he had checked on the results of the negative pressure test at the shift change and was told that everything was fine. He went to his bunk with the understanding he would be called if something went wrong. At 9:50 p.m., the phone rang and Ezell was informed that mud was flowing into the crown. He reports being horrified because he knew this meant that hydrocarbons were pushing out of the top of the well.

Ezell quickly put on his coveralls and began looking for his hard hat and boots. When he was still searching for his boots, an explosion occurred. The rig started on fire, the well blew out and Ezell was thrown 20 feet across the room and into a bulkhead.

After collecting himself, Ezell tried to make his way through the pitch dark. He was frightened, trapped in debris and forced to shove his way out. He saw a colleague and a visiting official from Transocean both trapped under piles of debris and he stayed with them until a stretcher arrived to help them evacuate.

Ezell was ultimately one of the last to leave the rig and was rescued by the offshore supply vessel Damon B. Bankston. The vessel with Ezell and the other rescued workers on it stayed at the scene for several hours and Ezell and the others saw the rig burn and watched those left behind perish.

The recounting of events tells a harrowing story about a disaster that is sure to leave lasting emotional harm on all who endured it. The workers who were killed lost their lives and those who survived suffered serious physical or mental injuries that can last a lifetime.

If you or a loved one suffered a maritime injury or lost a relative in an offshore fatality, call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

According to Reuters, a small oil spill occurred around 7 p.m. on a Tuesday late in February 2013. The spill occurred in the waters off Louisiana. As the Coast Guard reported, oily water discharge came off of the wellhead at an inactive oil and gas well and oil poured into the local waters.

Our offshore oil injury lawyers were distressed to hear of yet another spill in the Gulf Coast area. While this spill was a mild one with limited oil going into the water, all spills are cause for concern and can put maritime workers and residents of surrounding areas at risk of harm.

The Small Oil Spill Off Louisiana

The small oil spill in Louisiana in February occurred when a boat reportedly hit a well-head that was owned by Swift Energy. The wellhead that was struck was located in Plaquemines Parish, in inland waters. The Sea Raider was an offshore oil service boat of approximately 42 feet (13 meters).

When the collision occurred, the wellhead was damaged. This led to concerns about oil spilling into the water. As Reuters reports, those in the local area have a heightened awareness of oil spills after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. This spill, however, was a very minor one.

According to the Coast Guard, less than 840 gallons (3,180 liters) of oil were discharged from the wellhead and spilled per day. Further, Swift Energy reported that containment booms were deployed around the well, as well as skimming equipment used, in order to protect the nearby shorelines from any damage or problems caused by the oil spill.

Swift Energy responded quickly, fortunately, and the safety procedures and guidelines in place in the active oil and gas well helped to ensure that the spill would not be a major one.

The Coast Guard also deployed 40 people to oversee the cleanup efforts and operational matters. Coast Guard worked with Swift Energy, federal, state and local agencies in order to get the oil spill problem resolved as quickly and effectively as possible.

Oil/Energy Company Responsibility

While any oil spill spells bad news for the environment, the good news is that this was a small spill and is not believed to have done significant or lasting damage. Things could have been worse if the wellhead was not properly maintained as a result of being inactive, or if Swift Energy had not responded appropriately and worked with the Coast Guard and officials in cleanup efforts.

Every effort in every case should be made to avoid oil spills and to keep wells and offshore rigs safe. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents do happen. When this occurs, the company will need to respond in such a way as to keep the general public and its employees safe.

If a company fails in its safety record, in operations, in protecting employees or in otherwise fulfilling its obligations to run its drilling business responsibly, then the company can be held accountable for the consequences of their choice.

If you or a loved one suffered a maritime injury or lost a relative in an offshore fatality, call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

In 2010, a pipeline ruptured in southwestern Michigan, releasing more than 800,000 gallons of oil into a local river. The full extent of the impact of the spill is not yet known and the National Resource Damage Assessment aims to conduct additional studies. The company responsible for the rupture and spill, however, is refusing to fund or participate in the studies.

Our offshore oil injury lawyers know how devastating an oil spill can be on the environment and on the lives and health of those involved in the spill. We urge the company responsible to step up and to help to uncover the full extent of the damage.  There is no excuse for oil companies failing to take responsibility in the event that their operations cause harm to residents, workers or water resources.

Oil Company Refuses to Fund Impact Studies

According to NBC News 25, a company called Enbridge Inc. was responsible for the rupture of a pipeline in 2010 that caused the spill of more than 800,000 gallons of oil into a Michigan river.

Despite their responsibility for the spill, Enbridge Inc. has not stepped up to the plate to take on the full costs of polluting the water. For example, the National Resource Damage Assessment wants to conduct two new studies and they want Enbridge Inc. to participate, while Enbridge is resisting.

The costs of funding sought for the two studies is relatively high, with a price tag of $800,000. Enbridge does not believe that it should pay these costs or that such a study is necessary.

NBC reports that Enbridge notified the National Resource Damage Assessment of its lack of interest in cooperating last year. Enbridge reportedly declined to provide funding or participate because it believed that sufficient data had already been collected.

Enbridge may be reluctant to participate in studies designed to reveal pollution or damage to the ground water, as this could potentially render the company liable for additional pollution mitigation or clean-up efforts. Further, those who live in nearby areas and who experienced a decline in property values, health problems tied to pollution from the spill, or other losses could all potentially use the results against Enbridge.

Companies are responsible for compensating people if they do physical harm or other types of harm. If Enbridge, for example, was responsible for causing someone to become ill as a result of the oil leak or for causing someone to lose money on their home or business because of the leak, then Enbridge would be to blame and made to compensate the victim.

The key to holding Enbridge responsible is to prove that the oil spill, which occurred under the control of the company, was the direct cause of some type of compensable harm. Studies that link Enbridge to problems could be used to bolster a claim of harm by someone seeking damages from the company.

If you or a loved one suffered a maritime injury or lost a relative in an offshore fatality, call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

Generally, workers on offshore oil rigs are in the most danger from rigs that are fully operational due to the potential for explosions and other related problems. However, these are not the only risks faced by those who work in the dangerous industry of offshore drilling. Workers who are on offshore rigs that are under construction, that are being remodeled or that are being repaired can also be in danger as well.

Recently, oil workers who were aboard a brand new Iranian gas platform in the Gulf realized just how dangerous an offshore oil rig under construction could be. Our offshore oil injury lawyers urge every worker to take note of this accident and to be aware of the dangers they face when they are doing work on an unfinished platform.

The Iranian Gas Platform Incident

According to the Time NewsFeed, an Iranian oil company was installing a new $40 million oil rig when something went wrong. Within a period of just 10 seconds, the jacket of the rig disappeared under the water and sunk more than 260 feet below the surface. Oil workers who were on the rig performing work noticed what was going on and had only seconds to scramble off to safety as the rig began to sink.

Time NewsFeed reported that it is not clear exactly how the massive 2,000 ton platform disappeared so quickly under the water. However, it is believed that there was a problem with a crane that was being used. When the crane broke as the large platform was installed, the metal rig was not yet ready to stand on its own. Instead, the rig sunk very quickly.

The platform had taken approximately 30 months to build and had been constructed by a branch of the Revolutionary Guard. The Iranian government, however, is now having difficulty dealing with the crisis and is seeking assistance in trying to dredge out the sunken rig and salvage the metal that was used. Finding assistance may be difficult due to the fact that many nations have imposed sanctions on Iran.

Worker Safety Top Priority in Oil Rig Construction

While the oil workers in this incident all managed to escape to safety, they were in a very perilous situation because of how quickly the oil rig sank. Unfortunately, any oil rig worker who is working offshore on a well or a platform that is under construction faces any number of additional risks. Other workers might not be so lucky as to escape without injury- especially as this event illustrates how quickly something can go wrong and how little time workers may have to find refuge.

The accident, therefore, underscores the need for proper training and safety for all individuals involved with offshore platforms including both oil workers and those in charge of construction, remodeling or repair.

If you or a loved one suffered a Gulf Coast maritime injury or have lost a relative in an offshore fatality, call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

On February 6, SF Gate reported that offshore operators were ordered to halt drilling work on both oil wells and gas wells located in the Gulf of Mexico. The drilling regulators ordered work to stop on wells that had used bolts provided by General Electric Co. Unfortunately, these bolts were used on numerous wells and the need to replace the bolts on all blowout preventers would have a “significant impact” on the offshore drilling industry.

Our offshore oil injury lawyers are concerned that the GE bolts that are causing the problem could put those working on offshore rigs at risk. We urge the drilling industry to exercise all appropriate cautions in making a decision on widespread bolt replacement in order to both protect workers from injury and to do everything possible to prevent an environmental disaster due to leaks or damaged wells.

The GE Bolt Problem

According to the SF Gate, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement issued a safety alert about potential flaws in the GE bolts after drilling mud leaked from a well in the Gulf. The leak developed as a result of corrosion on the bolts which caused the bolts to fail.

The bolts were used on underwater equipment, blowout preventers and tubing. Officials are most concerned about the possible impact of faulty bolts on blowout preventers, which are used by oil companies as insurance to avoid explosions. Blowout preventers have been widely used and their importance within the industry has increased in light of tragic events such as the explosion that destroyed the Macondo offshore well.

Unfortunately, GE bolts and connectors made by General Electric have been used in blowout preventers and on other equipment in every type of offshore environment by all of the major companies who engage in offshore drilling. The problem with the bolts is widespread and the entire industry is feeling the impact of the potential bolt problem.  The bolts are also on backorder, and it may take a long time for them to be replaced in all areas where replacement is necessary.

In the meantime, wells and rigs that have blowout preventers using these faulty bolts could be risky places, and workers are in danger of becoming injured if something goes wrong. The blowout preventer works by shutting off a well in the event that a fail-safe device monitor reveals that there has been an uncontrolled blast of either gas or oil. The blowout preventers unfortunately, have stack connectors with GE bolts that may be corroding.

If these bolts corrode and the connection is not strong, this ups the risk of an explosive blowout, which is extremely dangerous for everyone involved. It is this danger that regulators hope to prevent by shutting down the wells in the Gulf and that GE hopes to prevent by providing industry-wide information about the problem.

Hopefully, because of this shut down and the efforts to replace the insufficient bolts, no workers will be injured on offshore rigs.

If you or a loved one suffered a Gulf Coast maritime injury or have lost a relative in an offshore fatality, call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

On February 12, Fuel Fix reported on the criminal trial of Transocean in which Transocean was expected to enter a guilty plea. The hearing was scheduled later in a court in New Orleans, and Transocean is pleading guilty to charges brought against them for their part in the BP Gulf oil spill in 2010. While the hearing was expected to be brief, three victims of the BP spill were expected to speak.

Our offshore injury attorneys are glad that an injured offshore oil rig worker will have a chance to have his voice heard at this hearing. The damage done to workers and to the entire Gulf Coast as a result of the 2010 spill cannot be measured and it is important for BP and Transocean to pay for the consequences of the terrible event that occurred due to their negligence.

Injured Victims to Attend Transocean’s Hearing

According to Fuel Fix, the penalty faced by Transocean in exchange for entering a guilty plea has already been determined. The company will be on probation for a five year period of time and will be required to pay a $400 million criminal fine. However, the U.S. District judge has the authority to either reject or approve the plea agreement and the penalty imposed.

Before the judge makes a decision on whether to approve the deal, he will hear from one worker who was on the rig at the time when the explosion occurred. The man who will speak suffered serious injuries and his testimony should be a powerful reminder to the judge of the very real consequences to workers.

The injured worker was one of the lucky ones, despite his serious injuries, because he survived when many did not. In total, the explosion and the aftermath resulted in the death of eleven oil rig workers including nine Transocean employees.

Also speaking at the hearing will be a Gulf Coast property owner and the coordinator for the Southeast Asian Fisherfolk Association. They will be discussing the damage done to the Gulf coast and the impact on their property and on the fishing industry.

Other victims of the disaster as well as their representatives will be attending the hearing as well but will not be speaking before the judge.

Tough Criminal Sanctions Can Help to Avoid Future Disasters

Transocean and BP were responsible for the worst offshore spill in the United States and it has taken more than three years since the explosion occurred to finally bring the oil companies to stand trial and answer for what they did.

It is very important that Transocean and BP face serious consequences for the role that they played in the disaster in order to hold oil companies accountable. Large penalties and tough sentencing will hopefully help to encourage oil companies to be more careful in the future and hopefully will save the lives of workers by preventing further devastating explosions on offshore rigs.

If you or a loved one suffered a Gulf Coast maritime injury or have lost a relative in an offshore fatality, Call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

On January 1, the New York Times reported on a Shell Oil offshore drilling rig that had run aground in the Gulf of Alaska.  The oil-rig had approximately 139,000 gallons of diesel fuel as well as another 12,000 gallons of hydraulic fluid and lubricating oil.

This new incident has exacerbated safety concerns about oilrigs in the Gulf of Alaska.  While no one was injured in this incident, the rig had to be disconnected from a towline keeping it in place in rough seas out of concerns for the safety of the crew. Salvage crews also had to work to attach a line to the rig and tow ship to remove the rig from the location where it was marooned.  These crews were all at risk in the choppy, cold waters in the Arctic and 18 workers aboard the rig had to be airlifted out on Coast Guard helicopters.

Offshore injury lawyers are concerned about the potential dangers to those involved in drilling operations in the Arctic and elsewhere. While any offshore oil rig can present risks, those in Alaska are in remote locations where it would be difficult for rescue crews to quickly gain access, especially in bad weather. Important safety measures need to be put in place and emergency operation plans perfected in order to protect crews involved in Alaska offshore drilling.

Breakaway Oil Rig Raises Concerns about Remote Location

The oil rig in the Gulf of Alaska, the Kulluk, ran aground a rocky coast of a remote uninhabited island called Sitkalidak. The incident occurred after prior efforts had been made to get the rig under control by reconnecting its towlines that had separated due to high winds and rough seas. Unfortunately, out of concern for the crew, the tow-lines at one point had to be disconnected. The towing ship for the rig also lost power during the bad weather and support ships had to be called in to reconnect the rig.

By January 7, however, the New York Times reported that the rig had been refloated and towed to safer water to be inspected.   Monitoring equipment indicated that there had been no discharge of pollutants, relieving concerns by environmental experts worried about the diverse species in the region.

Although the rig is now out of danger, a January 2^nd article on Time Science & Space still raises some important points about the safety of offshore rigs in the Gulf of Alaska.

Time compared this incident to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2010, while the Deepwater Horizon was a terrible disaster, it occurred in a location that made it easy to respond to the spill.  Time reported that this was “like having a heart attack in the middle of a hospital,” since while the spill was bad, response time was very fast.

In Alaska, on the other hand, the area is very remote and it is much harder for rescue crews to get there quickly. This exacerbates the dangers of a potential oil spill and it also exacerbates the dangers to the crew aboard rigs in remote locations.

Unstable weather in the region is also cited as a cause for concern for Arctic drilling, and the dangers of both a remote location coupled with unpredictable winds and seas all come together to mean that workers’ on offshore rigs in this area may be more at risk than any other oilrig workers in the past. Safety measures must be in place to protect these workers from the risks that they face.

If you or a loved one suffered a maritime injury or have lost a relative in an offshore fatality, Call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.

On November 8, 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported that Statoil evacuated 336 people from an offshore housing platform or “floatel,” as it is commonly called. The offshore housing platform was located in the Norwegian Sea and was evacuated because of the risks presented by terrible weather including large waves, snow and gale-force winds.

Our Louisiana maritime injury attorneys know that this recent evacuation underscores the dangers of offshore oil and gas operations in rough water and weather conditions. The evacuation also serves as an important reminder to oil companies to always put the safety of their workers first, to ensure the stability of their drilling platforms and offshore housing platforms and to have an evacuation plan in place in case of emergency.

Evacuating Offshore Oil Workers in Bad Weather

Offshore housing platforms are used to provide temporary living accommodations for workers who are working on oil and gas rigs. Typically, oil and gas production rigs provide beds only for workers who operate them daily. Offshore housing platforms can be used to provide sleeping quarters for those who are doing other types of work on the rigs, such as upgrade work. Essentially, they provide “overflow” housing when more offshore workers need a place to stay.

Housing platforms are generally sailed out to a location in the open waters near to where the oil and gas drilling rig is located. There, they rest on floating legs. Unfortunately, this may mean that these offshore floating accommodations are not necessarily all that safe. The platforms, resting temporarily on their floating legs, may have some serious stability issues that put workers at risk.

Statoil, for example, made the decision to evacuate its 336 offshore oil workers in November after their housing platform tilted severely during the night. This tilt was prompted by a ballast tank being punctured by an anchor. Although the floating hotel was stabilized after the incident and although there wasn’t any danger of a gas or oil leak, Statoil still made the choice to evacuate to protect the workers. Those who were evacuated were flown by helicopter to a nearby drilling rig to wait out the storm and the tough waves.

Rough Conditions Can Be Dangerous

Statoil reported that their evacuation efforts were a success. Unfortunately, the danger to offshore workers presented by instability of housing platforms at sea cannot be understated. One memorable incident in 1980, for example, showed what can happen when a platform isn’t stable and workers don’t get out in time. In this incident, reported in the Wall Street Journal,123 people were killed.

A tragedy of this magnitude could easily have occurred again if Statoil hadn’t acted quickly to get its people off the potentially unstable platform.  Unfortunately, a press spokesman for the company indicated that rougher weather would have made evacuation more difficult if not impossible. The rough waves would have interfered with the helicopter and alternative means of evacuation would have needed to be explored.

Such a backup plan should be in place for every company that employs offshore workers. An employer has an obligation to make sure that workers are safe and if an unstable platform threatens that safety, the employer needs to have a viable solution in the work to get the employees away from the danger.

If you or a loved one suffered a Gulf Coast maritime injury or have lost a relative in an offshore fatality, Call the Law Offices of William Gee III to speak to a maritime accident attorney at 1-800-488-5227 or contact us online today.