Oklahoma City Family Resolves Sewer Backup Claim After Home Flooded with Raw Sewage

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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Erick and Kasey Moser were raising their two young children in
their Oklahoma City home when their lives were suddenly turned upside down by a devastating
sewer backup.

In the early morning hours of June 27, 2021, Kasey stepped out of bed and into several inches of
raw sewage covering the floor of their home. What initially appeared to be a plumbing problem
quickly revealed itself to be far worse. Sewage had backed up through the home’s plumbing
system, flooding nearly every room and damaging flooring, furniture, and many of the family’s
personal belongings.

The contamination forced the Moser family to leave their home while professional crews worked
to remove the sewage, sanitize the property, and begin repairs.

Records later showed that the municipal sewer line serving the neighborhood had experienced
multiple operational problems in the years leading up to the incident.

The Mosers retained Oklahoma City trial lawyer Jim Buxton to investigate the sewer backup and
pursue a claim against the City of Oklahoma City. After approximately four years of litigation,
the parties reached a confidential settlement agreement resolving the case.

Sewer backups inside a home can cause severe property damage and create serious health risks
for families. Incidents like this highlight the importance of properly maintaining and operating
municipal sewer systems that serve residential neighborhoods.

Keiter v. City of Grove: Justice for a Grand Lake Retirement Home Flooded with Raw Sewage

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The City of Grove is known as a peaceful lake community in Northeast Oklahoma. It sits along the shores of Grand Lake, one of the most scenic places in the state. That quiet scenery was exactly why the Keiters chose Grove for their retirement. They purchased a beautiful lake-area home and looked forward to a calm and relaxing life.

Instead, shortly after moving in, the Keiters’ home was flooded with raw, untreated sewage.

The flooding occurred because the City of Grove failed to properly maintain its sewer collection system. The sewage backup damaged the home, personal belongings, and destroyed the comfort and security the Keiters had worked a lifetime to enjoy.

The Keiters filed a tort claim with the City asking Grove to take responsibility and repair the damage caused by its sewer system. But instead of doing the right thing, the City denied their claim.

The Keiters then hired local attorney Bryce Harp, who reached out to Jim Buxton of Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers for help. Jim filed a lawsuit against the City of Grove. After fighting for answers and accountability, the case was resolved through a settlement that will allow the Keiters to repair their home and return to the peaceful retirement they planned.

For the Keiters — and for every Oklahoma family — a home is more than a building. It’s the center of their life, memories, comfort, and safety. When cities neglect their sewer systems, real people pay the price. Jim Buxton and Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers were proud to help this family get justice and hold the City accountable.

If your home has been flooded with sewage due to a failure in a city’s sewer system, you do not have to fight alone. Contact Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers — Jim Buxton is here to help.

#1inthe#2business, #sewerlawyer

Yukon Resident Suing City Over Water Damage

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After experiencing persistent water damage to her home and swimming pool since summer 2022, a Yukon, Oklahoma, resident is taking legal action. With help from Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers, Brandy Becerra filed a lawsuit in Canadian County District Court, alleging negligence and nuisance. She claims a damaged valve in the city’s water line, discovered in April 2024, caused the issue.

The City of Yukon and Yukon Public Works moved to dismiss the case, citing procedural issues. The court scheduled a hearing for February 20, 2025, to determine the next steps. At the hearing, Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers were successful; the Court found the City’s request premature and denied the motion. The case is moving forward for the parties to investigate and determine liability.

If you believe yourself to be in a similar situation, give us a call or fill out our client questionnaire.

To read the full story click here

How Sewer Laterals Connect Your Home to the Sewer

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graphic ab0ut sewer systems

Understanding Sewer Collection Systems: Who’s Responsible for What?

Sewer backups are more than just an inconvenience—they can cause extensive damage to homes and create serious health hazards. Unfortunately, when these incidents occur, many homeowners are left wondering who is responsible for fixing the problem. Cities and municipalities often deny liability, shifting the burden onto homeowners, even when the law says otherwise.

In Oklahoma, the legal responsibility for sewer lines is divided between homeowners and the City. However, there is often confusion—sometimes intentional—about where the City’s responsibility begins and ends. Let’s break down how a sewer collection system works and clarify who is responsible for what.

How a Sewer Collection System Works:

A sewer collection system is designed to carry wastewater from homes and businesses to a treatment facility. The system consists of several key components:

  • Lateral Line (Private Side): This is the pipe that connects a home’s plumbing to the City’s sewer system. It runs from the house to the edge of the homeowner’s property and continues to where it connects with the City’s infrastructure.
  • Lateral Line (Public Side): Once the lateral line crosses into the public right-of-way—whether that’s an easement, alley, or under the street—it becomes the City’s responsibility.
  • Main Sewer Line: This is the large pipe that collects wastewater from multiple homes and businesses and transports it to the City’s treatment facility. The City is fully responsible for maintaining and repairing the main line.

Homeowner vs. City Responsibility

Despite what the City may claim when denying a sewer backup or damage claim, Oklahoma law is clear:

  • Homeowners are responsible for the lateral line on their property. This means that if a blockage or break occurs in the portion of the lateral that is within the homeowner’s yard, driveway, or under their house, the homeowner must pay for repairs.
  • The City is responsible for the lateral line in the easement or under the street. Once the lateral extends beyond private property into a public right-of-way, the City must maintain and repair it. This also means that if a blockage occurs in this section, the City—not the homeowner—is responsible.
  • The City is responsible for the main collection line. Any damage or blockage in the main sewer line falls squarely on the City.

Why This Matters:

Many homeowners assume that if sewage backs up into their home, the City will take care of the problem. Unfortunately, Cities frequently deny responsibility, even when the issue is in the portion of the lateral they are legally required to maintain. This can leave homeowners fighting an uphill battle to get their damages covered.

If you experience a sewer backup, it’s important to investigate the cause. A professional plumber can use a camera inspection to determine whether the issue is in your private lateral or the public section. If the blockage is in the City’s portion, you may have legal grounds to seek compensation for damages.

At Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers we help homeowners hold Cities accountable when they neglect their responsibilities. If you’ve experienced a sewer backup and believe the City is at fault, contact us to discuss your legal options.

Corbin v. City of Moore & Veolia Water North America- Central LLC

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Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers is helping a woman from Moore, Oklahoma get her chance in court. Vicki Corbin sued the city of Moore and Veolia Water North America, the international water management company that manages the city’s water system. Corbin filed a petition claiming the city of Moore created a nuisance by allowing their public sewer main to flood her home on 10 occasions. Summary judgements were granted in favor of the city and Veolia and Ms.Corbin filed for the motion to be reconsider in December 2023, her motion was denied 

With the help of Jim Buxton and Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers, Ms. Corbin was able to get her case reviewed. The three-judge panel ruled that the evidence did not support the claim that there was no real dispute on what caused the sewer flood. The appellate court reversed the ruling of the city of Moore and Veolia and granted Ms. Corbin her motion to refile. Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers will be happy to represent Ms. Corbin in her upcoming trial.

Plaintiffs v. A-LIST CONSTRUCTION, INC.

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After four years, residents in Oklahoma City have reached a settlement with a construction company. After their homes were damaged by muddy water caused by a nearby neighborhood under construction, they were left with no help or answers from the company. The homeowners were faced with class three water damage from the water, which in some cases according to Jim Buxton, there are not many options for homeowners to recover. With the help of Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers, these residents were able to settle and awarded damages.

Settling A Case? What Does It Mean?

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Settling your case means you are getting your case resolved. When your house is damaged this is a conflict, someone has wronged you. Settling your case, means that you’re receiving compensation for you to be able to fix your house.

Whether this means the money is going to go towards cleaning the mess up or to remediate your house, you will be getting paid back the money that you spent dealing with the problem someone else has caused. Now to do this we have to file a lawsuit and we will demand that they pay justice in fair compensation and if they do so, it’s called a settlement.

If they do not then we will take your case to trial and fight it that way. You always want to get your case settled because verdicts feed egos and settlements feed families and you want to get your case solved as fast as you can. 

 

If you have any questions leave them here.

 

Determining Your Sewage Flood Case’s Worth

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When your house has been flooded with sewage and your home is ruined, you are in a complete and utter crisis.  So how do you determine the value of your case? What do you do? Well first call Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers, the #1 Lawyer in the #2 business. If you’re able to get your case settled, then YOU determine what it’s worth.

Once you gather all your information and once you come to us we will help understand your case’s worth. We will help you understand what the law provides. We will guide you through it and 9 out of 10 times we will help you get it resolved, whether it’s the city or the city’s insurance company.

However, in rare instances where an agreement on value cannot be reached we’re prepared. We will take the fight to the next level.  Entrusting your case to a jury and places the determination of value with impartial individuals. They will be able to assess the situation objectively.

If you feel you have a case leave information here. Let Us Help You!

Oklahoma Association of Justice Welcomes Jim Buxton as Newly Elected President

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Jim Buxton was elected to serve as President of the Oklahoma Association of Justice (OAJ) on November 2, 2023. OAJ is comprised of trial lawyers and was the first of its kind. The OAJ was created in 1943 and is celebrating its 80th year as an organization. The OAJ was created for the purpose of advancing the cause of those who are damaged in person and property, who must seek redress therefor at law and believes all powers in the Constitution come from the people, and that the Constitution demands a remedy in the courts for every wrong, and it is the duty of all trial lawyers to pursue and accomplish this simple truth.
“I am honored to be elected by my colleagues to represent an organization dedicated to fighting for and preserving the rights of everyday Oklahomans”
Mr. Buxton is an active trial lawyer licensed to practice in all Oklahoma state and federal courts. For the last decade, he has worked with lawyers from across the country to obtain justice for people who have been injured, accused, or wronged. He frequently teaches trial skills at legal seminars and is on the teaching faculty at the Gerry Spence Method in Dubois, Wyoming, Mr. Buxton is a proud member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Million Dollar Advocates Forum and MultiMillion Dollar Advocates Forum; is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected to Super Lawyers in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
When he is not in the courtroom he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

The Guinns v. City of OKC

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Have you filed a claim with the city, and they have denied your claim? You are not alone, it’s a scary place to find yourself, but with the help from Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers, you can end up just like our clients, The Guinns. The Guinns were victims of the City of Oklahoma City’s failure to maintain and repair the sewer lines. Due to the city’s failure, their home was flooded with sewage, causing substantial damage to their property and creating a nuisance. When they asked the city of OKC for help, they were ignored and were told that the City was not at fault. The Guinns called us and we conducted a thorough investigation into the cause of the sewage flood and were able to show that the City of OKC was in fact responsible for the flood and resulting damage. The City of OKC did not want to face a jury trial, so they chose to resolve the matter for $95,000.00. This enabled Katie and Justin Guinn to repair their home and put this behind them.