Practice Areas
An explosion at work, at home, or on someone else’s property can be an extremely traumatizing experience. In addition to your physical injuries, you also have to contend with costly medical bills, the long-term effects of your injuries on your daily life, and the emotional toll those effects can have. It’s no wonder many people who experience explosion injuries find themselves struggling to manage in the aftermath.
If you sustained injuries from an explosion that was not your fault, our personal injury lawyers can help. Experienced explosion accident lawyer Cindy Stine understands the complex factors involved in fire and explosion accidents and can guide your case to a favorable conclusion.
Our team has extensive experience handling fire and explosion cases in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area and can manage the entire legal process, allowing you to focus on your medical treatment and other aspects of your recovery. Call us today or complete our online contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn about effective legal strategies for victims of gas explosions.
Why You Need a Pennsylvania Explosion Accident Lawyer
Explosion accidents in Pennsylvania are not only traumatic — they also come with complex legal challenges that demand professional help. A personal injury attorney can bring a deep understanding of the law to your explosion accident case, which will help ensure your rights are protected. Your lawyer can handle the intricate details of your case, from investigating the explosion’s cause to gathering essential evidence and negotiating with insurance companies. Their knowledge and experience are vital to building a robust case and recovering the compensation you deserve.
The idea of retaining an attorney may seem daunting. However, without proper legal representation in personal injury claims related to explosions, you jeopardize your chance to secure fair compensation and risk settling for less than your claim’s true value. Your attorney will accurately assess the full extent of your losses. This includes your medical expenses as well as lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress — and the amount of compensation they pursue will likely be far greater than you’d get if you accept an initial settlement offer from the responsible party’s insurer.
Common Causes of Explosion Accidents
Most explosion accidents are caused by careless or reckless actions. Some common causes of explosions in Pennsylvania include:
- Gas Leaks —Gas leaks are a leading cause of explosions in homes and workplaces. These leaks can result from faulty appliances, damaged pipelines, or improper installation, leading to explosive incidents when the gas comes into contact with an ignition source.
- Chemical Reactions– In industrial settings, improper handling or storage of chemicals can lead to hazardous reactions.
- Electrical Failures —faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and defective electrical appliances can cause explosions, especially in environments with flammable gases or dust. Electrical explosions are particularly common in industries like manufacturing and construction.
- Dust Explosions– In industries such as agriculture, woodworking, and pharmaceuticals, combustible dust can accumulate and, when exposed to fire, may ignite and explode.
- Improper Use of Equipment– Using equipment inappropriately or failing to maintain it properly can lead to explosions. This includes everything from household appliances to heavy industrial machinery, where malfunctions due to misuse or neglect can have explosive consequences.
- Vehicle Accidents —Collisions involving cars, trucks, and other vehicles can cause explosions, especially when vehicles are carrying flammable materials or when impact damages fuel tanks.
If you have questions about whether you have cause for a personal injury claim after an explosion, contact a gas explosion accident lawyer to learn more about their legal consultation services. An attorney can provide legal advice for explosion accidents and outline your legal options.
Who’s Liable for an Explosion Accident?
A critical step in explosion and fire accident claims is identifying who bears responsibility for the accident. Depending on the type of accident and other factors specific to the case, the liable parties may include:
- Property Owners– Property owners may be liable for explosion accidents if negligence in maintaining safe premises caused the incident. This includes failing to repair gas leaks, electrical issues, or other hazardous conditions that could result in an explosion.
- Employers —In work-related explosions, employers may be liable if they failed to provide a safe work environment, proper training, or adequate safety equipment.
- Manufacturers– Manufacturers of appliances, industrial equipment, vehicles, or any product that malfunctions and causes an explosion can be liable under product liability laws.
- Service and Maintenance Companies– Companies responsible for servicing and maintaining equipment, utilities, or infrastructure that failed and caused an explosion may be liable. This includes HVAC service providers, gas companies, and power companies.
- Contractors and Subcontractors —In cases where construction, renovation, or repair work resulted in an explosion, the contractors or subcontractors involved may be liable if they failed to maintain safe conditions. Examples of contractor negligence include improper handling of materials, failure to follow safety protocols, or causing damage to gas lines or electrical systems.
- Utility Companies —Utility companies may be liable if an explosion results from their failure to maintain the safety and integrity of gas lines, electrical grids, or other utilities. This includes failing to address known hazards, failing to respond to reports of leaks, or failing to adequately maintain critical infrastructure.
Serious Injuries from Explosions
Explosions in Pennsylvania often cause severe injuries, such as:
- Severe burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Lacerations and shrapnel injuries
- Hearing loss or damage
- Respiratory injuries from smoke inhalation
- Eye injuries and vision loss
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
These and other injuries may require extensive, complex medical treatment. An attorney can help you seek compensation for the expenses associated with your treatment.
Compensation in Explosion Accident Cases
You have two paths for pursuing compensation in a Pennsylvania explosion case. Which option you pursue depends on the circumstances of the accident.
If the accident occurred at work, you can file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. Workers’ comp benefits include:
- Full coverage of all your medical expenses related to the accident.
- Wage-replacement benefits, which are set at two-thirds of your average weekly wages, up to certain limits under Pennsylvania law.
- Total and partial disability benefits are provided to you if you meet certain medical criteria.
- Specific loss benefits, if you’ve lost use of certain parts of your body.
If the explosion occurred away from your job or someone other than your employer or a coworker caused an on-the-job accident, you may have cause to file a personal injury claim. Personal injury claims require you to prove someone else caused your injuries, but can include compensation for a much broader range of losses, including money for:
- Your past and future medical expenses
- The full amount of your lost wages
- Any reduction in your future earnings due to a disability
- Your diminished quality of life after the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property, if applicable
Contact a personal injury lawyer with experience handling case evaluations for explosion accidents if you have questions about your legal options.
Deadline to File an Explosion Accident Lawsuit
Under Pennsylvania law, you must initiate fire and explosion litigation within two years of the accident date. If you wait too long, you waive your right to seek compensation, which could significantly delay your recovery.
Contact a Pennsylvania Gas Explosion Lawyer
Stine & Associates is proud to provide legal representation for explosion victims and aid them in their pursuit of justice and compensation. Our explosion accident lawyers represent clients in Greensburg and throughout Westmoreland County. Contact us online or call for a confidential consultation.