In a strange string of events, a man has filed a $4 million lawsuit against his mother after allegedly suffering burns and other injuries when the septic cover exploded off their tank.

According to an article on NYPost.com, in a federal court suit, Keith Evans claims it all happened in 2011 when he was at his mother’s home. Cynthia Evans, his mom, realized that the sewer line had a severe blockage, so, of course, she called an onsite expert, right? Wrong. 

Instead, she called a neighbor. Enter Oscar Alfredson — self-proclaimed sewer and septic specialist. Evans showed up at his mother’s house and watched as Alfredson poured unidentified chemicals into the backyard septic system to break up the blockage. “The cocktail didn’t do the trick and the clog persisted,” says the article. 

Alfredson suggested removing the septic lid (why not?) and asked Evans for assistance. Rather than recommending they call an expert, Evans lent another amateur hand. The article says when they pried off the lid, both men were “blown back by a gas explosion that sent shrapnel flying, according to court papers.”

Although unlikely, the article doesn’t clarify how hydrogen sulfide — poisonous, highly flammable, explosive — builds up inside a septic tank over time, which would increase the chance for an explosion when uncovered.  

Evans claims he suffered major burns and other unnamed injuries from the incident and that his mother and Alfredson were responsible, says the article.

Once you get past the ridiculous part of this story ($4 million!), this is yet another example of an amateur septic specialist taking matters into his own hands rather than calling an expert.

This also should serve as a reminder about the importance of inspecting and recognizing any dangers before opening a tank when you show up to a job site, especially if it’s a new job where you’re unfamiliar with the surroundings.  

What do you think about all these so-called onsite specialists giving the industry a black eye? Post a comment!