Explosions are extremely dangerous for individuals caught in the blast or even in the vicinity of a blast. Victims injured by an explosion are often left with severe or possibly fatal injuries. That is why it is important for victims of explosion accidents to seek compensation from the individual or entity responsible for the accident. If you or a family member were seriously injured in an explosion, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia explosion injury lawyer today.
At the Reiff Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for victims that were injured due to the negligence of another person or entity. We understand the burden of continuing with your life after a severe injury, and we are prepared to provide you with the legal representation you deserve. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential claim, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940. You can also contact the firm online.
Common Causes of Explosion Accidents in Philadelphia
Explosion accidents often catastrophic and leave a number of people with severe injuries. If you were the victim of an explosion that caused you to suffer an injury, you should be aware of the circumstances that caused your injury. The following is a list of common causes of explosion accidents.
Car Accidents
The majority of car accidents do not result in vehicles exploding. However, the risk of an explosion increases when a car accident occurs with a vehicle that is carrying combustible materials. For example, if a commercial vehicle containing oil or gasoline was involved in an accident, there is a high risk that an explosion could occur.
Car accident explosions are especially dangerous because debris of glass and metal can be propelled at high speeds and strike a number of people in the vicinity. This can leave victims with severe lacerations and possible disfigurement.
Refinery Explosions
Oil and gas refineries contain a number of chemicals that are combustible, and capable of causing a massive explosion. That is why it is essential for the operators of an oil and gas refinery to take every necessary precaution to prevent gas leaks and other issues that can cause an explosion. Unfortunately, some oil and gas companies may act negligently when it comes to operating and maintaining gas lines.
Defective Equipment and Machinery
Defective equipment and machinery can also be the cause of a fire. For example, if an industrial company fails to properly assemble machinery, the machinery could malfunction and start a fire that can lead to an explosion.
There are other common causes of explosion accidents that are not discussed above. To learn more about filing a lawsuit after an explosion accident, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia explosion injury attorney.
Proving Negligence After a Philadelphia Explosion Accident
If you or a family member was severely injured in an explosion accident, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia explosion injury attorney to seek compensation for your injuries. Our firm understands the burden of living with severe explosion-related injuries like burns, loss of hearing, and bone fractures, and we are here for you.
To prevail in a personal injury lawsuit after an explosion accident, you will have to show the responsible party acted negligently. There are multiple elements that must be proven in order to show negligence:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
- The defendant breached their duty of care to the plaintiff (e.g., failed to operate oil and gas refinery responsibly)
- The plaintiff sustained an injury or other losses due to the defendant’s breach
- The plaintiff suffered an injury that is compensable by the court
Once a plaintiff proves all elements, they can be awarded damages for their injuries. It is important to note that a plaintiff must still prove the losses they suffered due to the accident. For example, if a vehicle was destroyed in an explosion, a plaintiff should provide documentation to recover compensation for the loss.
Compensatory damages can be awarded for economic and noneconomic losses. For example, property damage would be considered an economic loss. Alternatively, emotional distress would be considered a noneconomic loss. Other types of economic and noneconomic losses include:
- Medical bills and costs of medical equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of wages and future loss of wages
- Loss of consortium
Additionally, you should remember that your claim is subject to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations determines the amount of time that a person has to file a particular type of case with a court of law. If the claim is not filed within a specific timeframe, the plaintiff will be unable to pursue their claim with the court.
Under state law, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit in Philadelphia is two years from the date of the injury. If you are uncertain about when the statute of limitations began to run for your case, you should waste no time in speaking with an experienced attorney.
Fuel-Fed and Propane Explosions in Philadelphia
Many times propane and gas tanks are improperly constructed or negligently handled causing thousands of people to be catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed due to propane or gas tank explosions. Hundreds of millions of people utilize propane and natural gas in tanks to heat their homes, barbeques, mobile homes, boats, or fuel heaters. In fact, propane is the main source of energy in large tanks outside many residences. Often propane tanks are improperly constructed with design defects or manufacturing flaws or are left in a corrosive state making them prone to a catastrophic incident that can result in the loss of arms, legs, feet, fingers, loss of eyesight, loss of hearing, paresthesia, quadriplegia, and unfortunately many times wrongful death. Many times propane tanks are improperly filled without maintaining proper safeguards and thereafter improperly installed, improperly disposed, improperly transported, or have metallurgical failures, corrosion, and improper inspection of the tank by the gas supplier. A simple mechanical failure or a regulator or hose can lead to fire and explosion. Propane is normally properly odorized with a compound called ethyl mercaptan which is added according to federal industry safety standards to indicate a leak. This has a rotten smell and if you smell it you should immediately turn off all valves and connectors.
Seeking Compensation for Injuries from Fuel-Fed Explosions
If a propane or gas tank or any of its components are defective, heavy gas can collect and settle in an enclosed area and even the slightest spark, static electricity, or a stray flame can cause an emission causing the gas to ignite with resulting widespread catastrophic damages. Often times propane and gas tanks are not stored properly and are left in moist or wet environments where corrosion or rust can develop causing the tank or connectors to fail resulting in leaks.
Our experienced defective product lawyers are aware that many tanks are improperly designed or manufactured with flaws. We understand that defective fuel delivery systems and fuel lines can be the source of fire and fuel fed fire injuries and deaths often trapping unsuspecting individuals in an inferno. Our experts and propane and gas tank explosion lawyers understand that many times gas lines are constructed of inferior materials or improperly placed creating a dangerous and explosive situation. The experienced gas tank explosion lawyers of The Reiff Law Firm have extensive experience dealing with fuel fed fires, propane and gas tank explosions, and burn cases.
Explosion and fuel fed fire cases generally involve a complex interaction of legal theories involving premise liability, negligence, and product liability with specialized technical experience. If a gas or propane tank type explosion occurs, the psychological and financial impact on the victim and the family can be overwhelming and devastating. The skilled propane and gas tank explosion lawyers and investigative team of The Reiff Law Firm have represented generations of Pennsylvanians for over three decades with a track record of success. We always offer a free confidential, no obligation consultation with a no recovery, zero fee guarantee which means we only charge a fee if we make a successful recovery. Let our skilled propane and gas tank explosion lawyers help you determine if you have a viable claim and who should be held accountable.
Contact Our Committed Philadelphia Explosion Injury Lawyer Today
If you were the victim of a serious explosion accident, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia explosion injury attorney. The personal injury attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm possess decades of combined legal experience, and we would be pleased to use this knowledge to represent you. Contact our firm by calling (215) 709-6940 today to schedule your free legal, confidential and no-risk case review.
