About Gas Explosions from Natural Gas, Propane and Kerosene
There are many forms of gas explosions, involving gasoline, kerosene, butane, propane or LP gas. Serious accidents can come from a small volume of the flammable liquid or gas in which gas pressure builds up, after which it is exposed to an ignition source. One typical cause of a gas explosion is a contractor negligently cuts a gas line underneath the street, causing natural gas to be leaked into a person’s home, where it ignites on the furnace pilot light and blows up the house.
Explosions can result from defective products within the home, such as water heaters, dryers, stoves, ranges, cooking tops, and heating and cooling systems. Accidents may occur where gas storage environments are neglected, safety rules are ignored, hazardous areas lack posted warnings or when gas storage containers are deficient. Often gas problems can cause asphyxiation from a gas leak where the gas is not properly odorized.
Effects on Victims
Victims of gas explosions suffer various types of harm, and tragically, many of these accidents cause fatality. Survivors experience such catastrophic injuries as:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Severe burns
- Brain damage
- Spinal cord injury
Have you suffered from a gas explosion?
The presence of flammable gas is a near-constant part of our daily public life, simply by virtue of its usefulness to us for heating and cooking. Flammable or explosive gases are found in many areas of a large city, but sometimes, gas pipes leak, and sometimes gas companies have ineffective emergency responses to reports of gas leaks. When a gas leak occurs, time is of the essence. Even something as small as the ringing of a doorbell can ignite a buildup of natural gas inside a home.
An immediate emergency response is required by the gas company, and sadly, that does not always occur. When a gas explosion occurs, usually someone has committed negligence.
John once handled a case in which an excavation contractor failed to call “One-Call” to get a “locate” of underground lines before digging next to the street. The contractor started digging blind and struck an underground gas line. The gas seeped out and migrated into the basement of a nearby home. The contractor then called the gas company, who was summoned to fix the leak. Unfortunately, the gas company was negligent in failing to turn off the nearby valves to the damaged pipe section. This resulted in gas pouring out of the cut for a long time. The gas men then failed to take adequate readings of gas-to-air in the nearby homes. The electric company was also late in responding to the scene to shut off power to all the homes. The result was that the negligent delays by the utility companies compounded the negligence of the excavation contractor. Gas built up in the basement of the home and then ignited on an electrical source, probably a pilot light. The entire home exploded into a fireball, leveling houses in a one-block area. A gentleman was killed by the explosion in the front yard. This was a classic example of negligence by multiple parties which led to a tragic accident.
If you were severely injured or lost a loved one in an explosion, our lawyers at The Medler Law Firm are prepared to aggressively fight for justice, and we will advocate tirelessly to help you obtain the generous compensation your family deserves.
If you have been injured or your loved one killed in a gas explosion anywhere in California or near any of these cities & communities, call us right now for a no-obligation case review. You may be entitled to negligence-based compensation.
There is never any fee until we win your case:
Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Las Flores, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, North Tustin, Orange, Orange County, Placentia, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rossmoor, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Westwood, Yorba Linda