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Gas explosions can result in serious injuries or death. Unfortunately, these incidents are a common occurrence and often happen due to the careless or negligent actions of another person. Gas plays a large role in our everyday lives. In the home, we use gas for heating and operating our grills, and natural gas runs through our gas lines. Many workplaces use gas, and construction site gas explosions are not uncommon. This is particularly true at oil refinery plants.
Regardless of where your gas explosion injury occurs, you need to contact the Doan Law Firm for help today. Our knowledgeable and experienced gas explosion attorneys are the best at what they do and will get to work investigating your case so we can secure any compensation you may be entitled to.
Why do you need an attorney for gas explosion claims?
What are the common types of gas explosions seen in gas explosion lawsuits?
What are common injuries found in gas explosion claims?
Who is liable in a gas explosion accident?
How long after a gas explosion accident do you have to file a claim?
What steps should you take after being involved in a gas explosion accident?
Gas explosions can cause significant physical and emotional injuries, and you need to secure an attorney with extensive experience to handle your case. Founder Jimmy Doan of the Doan Law Firm is dedicated to serving those who have suffered an injury or wrongful death at the hands of another person.
In the aftermath of the gas explosion injury, victims often do not have the resources or experience necessary to investigate what happened and take on a negligent party thoroughly. Your gas explosion attorney will be responsible for handling all aspects of your case. This will include:
There are various places where explosions can occur: in the home, on the job, or in other areas where a person least suspects them.
Nearly every American uses gas in the home, whether to cook a meal, heat their house, or heat their water. Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of gas explosions in the home is natural gas leaks through leaking houses, defective control valves or gas connectors, or a leaking propane tank. These incidents commonly occur due to:
Aside from the home, gas explosions frequently occur at worksites (particularly construction sites). These explosions are often caused by proximity to combustible materials or chemicals. Gas explosions also often occur at oil refinery plants. When plant owners and operators do not upgrade equipment or enforce employee safety protocols, explosions are likely to occur.
Natural gas incidents garner plenty of attention in the US when they occur. In many cases, these incidents occur due to the following reasons:
Injuries from gas explosions can occur in a variety of ways, and they can be caused by the explosion itself or by secondary impacts. Injuries from the initial blast pressure wave of the explosion can include injuries to the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, middle ear, and brain.
Victims can also be harmed due to being thrown by the blast and flying debris. In many cases, victims sustain blunt force trauma such as bone fractures and brain injuries due to being thrown by the explosion. Flying debris can lead to eye injuries, traumatic amputations, lacerations, and other penetrating injuries.
Finally, a gas explosion injury victim can sustain other injuries that may not be a direct result of the blast, but due to building collapse, fire, or a release of toxic chemicals. This can include burns, brain injuries, crush injuries, asthma, or other breathing problems from toxic fumes, smoke, and dust.
There are various parties that could be held liable for gas explosion incidents. This can include:
If your injury happened at work, then workers’ compensation insurance may not be enough to cover the catastrophic nature of these injuries. In these cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a negligent third party that caused the explosion injury.
Each state is responsible for setting time limits for how long injury victims have to file lawsuits against the alleged negligent parties in their case. The personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date the injury occurs. This means that victims of a gas explosion accident have a two-year window with which to file a claim against the alleged negligent party. If a victim fails to file their lawsuit within this time frame, then they will lose the ability to recover any compensation at all, regardless of how severe the injuries are or how clear the liability of the other party is.
Additionally, gas explosions often cause immense property damage. Any person who sustains property damage needs to be aware that there is also a statute of limitations for filing lawsuits to recover compensation for destroyed or damaged property. For most states, the property damage statute of limitations is also two years from the date the accident occurs. Similar to the personal injury statute of limitations, failing to file a lawsuit within this timeframe will result in the property owner being unable to recover the compensation they need for the replacement or repair of the property.
There are various steps that explosion accident victims can take immediately following the incident in the days and weeks after the explosion.
Immediately following a gas explosion, victims are often disoriented. In some cases, they may have inhaled dangerous fumes or sustained significant physical injuries. It is crucial the explosion injury victims receive medical care immediately. Even if injuries seem relatively minor, a doctor still needs to conduct an evaluation.
It is almost a certainty that the police will show up after a gas explosion occurs. If the accident scene is safe and you are able to do so, you should begin gathering your own evidence. This can include using a phone or another device to take photographs of the accident scene. Your job is not to conduct an investigation, particularly if there are emergency personnel telling you to stay back. In fact, there is always a chance that a secondary explosion will occur. Do not take photographs or get near an explosion scene if it is unsafe to do so.
You can, however, get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the gas explosion. Additionally, if any eyewitnesses got photos or video of the incident, ask them for copies. Check to see if there are any cameras on nearby buildings that may have captured the incident on video.
You need to keep track of any expenses you incur due to a gas explosion. For example, document any medical bills you incur due to the explosion accident and subsequent injuries. Additionally, keep track of any necessary property damage repairs that you have to pay for. If the gas explosion forced you to stay at a hotel or an alternate living area, keep track of these expenses as well.
Explosion accident cases can become incredibly complicated, and you should not have to go through this alone. A skilled gas explosion accident attorney will be able to handle every aspect of your case for you. This will include handling communication and negotiations with insurance carriers or filing a civil personal injury lawsuit if necessary to ensure you are treated fairly.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an explosion that was caused by another person’s careless or negligent actions, contact The Doan Law Firm today. Our team will thoroughly investigate the incident and work to secure any compensation you are entitled to. This can include the following:
When you need a gas explosion attorney, please contact us for a free initial consultation. You deserve compensation for your injuries — let us help you today.