At Fieger Law, we understand the difficulties in gas explosion cases where multiple parties might be to blame—manufacturers, building owners, construction workers, etc. Our team will work with you to uncover all of the facts, trace the path of fault and identify the negligent party. The premises liability lawyers at Fieger Law have won big for gas explosion victims, and we’re ready to help you get the financial compensation you deserve.

Understanding Liability in Gas Explosions

Gas explosions can be catastrophic, causing devastating injuries, property damage, and even death. That’s why it’s crucial to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Negligence—referring to a failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to others—plays a central role in establishing fault. In gas explosion cases, negligence may have been exhibited by numerous parties, including gas utility companies, property owners, contractors, or equipment manufacturers. For example, a gas company may be negligent if they fail to properly maintain pipelines or respond promptly to reported leaks. Contractors could improperly install or repair gas appliances, property owners might neglect necessary precautions and maintenance, or equipment manufacturers may produce faulty components that fail under normal use.

To establish negligence legally, plaintiffs must prove several critical elements:

  1. Duty of Care: Demonstrating that the defendant had a legal responsibility to ensure safety, such as a gas company’s duty to maintain the integrity of its pipelines
  2. Breach of Duty: Showing that the defendant failed to fulfill their responsibilities, such as ignoring warnings about potential leaks or using substandard materials in construction
  3. Causation: Connecting the breach directly to the incident, establishing that the negligence was the direct cause of the explosion
  4. Damages: Providing evidence of the actual losses incurred, which could include physical injuries, emotional trauma, property damage, or loss of life

An experienced gas explosion attorney can thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion to identify all negligent parties and hold them responsible.

We Find Out What Caused the Explosion

Common causes of gas explosions include:

  • Faulty gas meters, gas regulators, gas lines
  • Appliance explosions (water heater, central heater, outdoor grill, gas lights, oven, clothes dryer, pool heater, generator)
  • Propane leak
  • Defective pipes
  • Inadequate odorant saturation
  • Construction issues
  • Gas composition, flow and pressure
  • Rust or liquids in the pipe
  • Sporadic, little, or no gas flow over an extended period
  • Soil surrounding underground pipes
  • Human error

Explosions can be caused by any combination of these factors, making multiple parties responsible. The causes may be complex, but the principle remains: others are at fault for your pain.

Common injuries caused by a gas explosion include both physical and mental injuries:

  • Burns
  • Shrapnel injuries
  • Hearing loss
  • Broken bones
  • Disfigurement
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Wrongful death

Psychological Impact of Gas Explosions

While the physical impact from gas explosions is often severe, the psychological consequences can be equally devastating and long-lasting.

Victims of gas explosions and their families may experience:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—with symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety
  • Depression and difficulty coping with the aftermath
  • Strained personal relationships because of emotional scars
  • Fear or phobias that did not exist prior to the explosion

Mental health support and counseling can help survivors process their experiences and develop healthy coping mechanisms, but these services are often costly. Fortunately, compensation for mental healthcare and therapy may be recoverable in a personal injury claim.

Compensation for Gas Explosion Victims 

Here’s a closer look at the types of compensation that gas explosion victims may be entitled to:

  • Medical Expenses: This covers all medical treatments related to injuries sustained in the explosion, including emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and any additional care services. Compensation can also cover future medical costs for ongoing treatments such as physical therapy and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Wages: If the injuries sustained in the explosion prevent the victim from working, compensation for lost wages can be claimed. If the victim is left with disabilities that impair their ability to earn a similar living as before the accident, compensation can also be sought for loss of earning capacity.
  • Pain and Suffering: Beyond the tangible economic losses, victims of gas explosions can claim compensation for pain and suffering. This includes compensation for both the physical pain and emotional distress suffered as a result of the explosion, the injuries, the treatment, and the recovery process.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help victims understand their rights, evaluate the full extent of their damages, and advocate on their behalf in negotiations with insurance companies or in court proceedings.

TIPS TO ESCAPE A POTENTIAL GAS EXPLOSION

Odorant is added to gas lines to help you identify a gas leak. If you smell gas:

  • Leave the area immediately.
  • Never switch on a light.
  • Never turn on anything electrical.
  • Never light a match.
  • Never use your phone.
  • Alert others.
  • Call your gas company from another location.

Don’t suffer as the result of a gas explosion. Geoffrey Fieger and his team will fight hard to get you the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost income, as well as damages for physical and emotional pain and suffering.

FIEGER LAW: NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GAS EXPLOSION LAWYERS

For over 70 years, the gas explosion experts at Fieger Law have fought for victims’ rights. If you or a family member have suffered from a gas explosion, Geoffrey Fieger and the expert attorneys at Fieger Law can help. Contact Michigan’s top law firm—utilize our expertise in complex injury cases.

Call 800-294-6637 or tell us about your case using our online form. We will review your case for free and get you the answers and compensation you need.

Gas explosions just don’t happen. Typically, they are the result of some type of negligence—a defect in the manufacturer’s design, improper installation or neglected repair/maintenance. One small mistake could result in one huge catastrophe.

At Fieger Law, we understand the difficulties in gas explosion cases where multiple parties might be to blame—manufacturers, building owners, construction workers, etc. Our team will work with you to uncover all of the facts, trace the path of fault and identify the negligent party. Fieger Law has won big for gas explosion victims, and we’re ready to help you get the financial compensation you deserve.