The Long-Term Impact of a Gas Leak

We might not realize it, but our homes and workplaces are often powered by gas. From water heaters to air conditioning units, clothes dryers, stovetop ranges, and fireplaces, our homes can be full of gas lines. Over half of Pennsylvania homes use natural gas for heating every winter. Even a small leak can have serious consequences on your and your family’s health.

Immediate and Long-Term Health Effects of Gas Exposure

Natural gas leaks pose a host of health risks; the health effects can be particularly severe when you’ve had prolonged exposure. Even low-level exposure to contaminants in natural gas can be dangerous and lead to short and long-term health conditions. Conditions and symptoms you may suffer if you have been exposed to a natural gas leak include:

• Headaches and migraines
• Dizziness
• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea
• Respiratory irritation and asthma
• Cardiovascular conditions, including arrhythmias and chest pain
• Neurological conditions, such as memory loss and impaired motor function
• Mental health conditions and mood disorders, such as irritability, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder

Natural gas leaks can be particularly harmful to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women. These groups tend to suffer health risks even at low concentrations and shorter exposure times than the general population.

It isn’t only the human members of your family who can suffer from a natural gas leak; your pets can be experiencing health effects as well. If your pet has been exposed to a gas leak, they may have some of the same symptoms as you, including:

• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Disorientation
• Red or watering eyes
• Changes in mood or behavior

If you’re experiencing health issues from natural gas exposure, contact Munley Law for a free consultation about your rights.

Identifying an Ongoing Gas Leak in Your Property

People often think they can smell a gas leak in their house, but that isn’t always the case. Not all gases released have a smell; natural gas and carbon monoxide are odorless. When you aren’t able to detect the presence of gas, your family is at an increased risk for chronic exposure to gas and conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning.

Even those air contaminants that do possess an odor might not be strong enough that when a gas leak does occur, you would be able to smell it throughout the house. If you think there is a chance you have a gas leak, there are a few tricks you can use to help in your leak detection efforts:

• Listen for hissing or whistling sounds around your gas appliances, meters, or gas lines; this indicates that gas is escaping under pressure into the surrounding air
• Sniff around for the smell of rotten eggs; while natural gas doesn’t smell, gas companies often add chemicals that smell like rotten eggs so the public can detect a gas leak in their homes
• Look for bubbles in standing water; this can indicate an underground leak
• Look for blowing dirt or dust; in the absence of wind, this can be “wind” made of gas from the leak’s origin
• Look for dead or discolored plants; this can indicate a gas leak underground

Concerned about a gas leak on your property? Call your local fire department and gas company immediately from a safe distance. If you and your family have had long-term exposure to a gas leak, you need to consult an attorney. Let our experienced attorneys review your case and provide you with your legal options.

Financial Impact of Long-Term Gas Exposure

The financial impact of long-term gas exposure can be devastating. The financial hardships we see most often with our clients include:

• Medical treatment costs
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Long-term care requirements
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Property restoration costs

Calculate the true cost of your gas leak injury with the help of an experienced gas explosion attorney. Schedule a free case evaluation with Munley Law.

Prevention and Safety Measures for Future Gas Leaks

Gas leaks are incredibly common, but detecting and preventing them in your house is easy. There are a few safety measures you can take that protect your house immediately, including:

• Install gas detection equipment, including a carbon monoxide alarm, combustible gas detector, multi-gas detector, and natural gas detector (Your local fire department can advise you on which detectors are best for your home and where to place them.)
• Keep up with maintenance and repair
• Comply with professional inspection requirements
• Create a family emergency preparedness plan

Learn how to protect your legal rights before an incident occurs. Contact Munley Law for preventive legal guidance.

Legal Options for Gas Leak Victims

You may be wondering who could be held liable for the gas leak in your home. Your Munley Law attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of your case to understand how the gas leak happened. Most often, gas leaks are caused by one of the following:

• Faulty gas appliances
• Improper installation
• Improper maintenance
• Corroded or aging gas lines
• Damaged gas lines

The cause of the leak will help your attorney determine who is liable: the appliance manufacturer, your landlord, or another third party. Your attorney will tell you what compensation is available in your specific case; it may include:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering

If you have suffered from an injury from a gas leak, you have two years from learning about the gas leak to file a claim in Pennsylvania. If the leak impacted more than just your apartment or home, your case may be eligible for a class action. Your attorney will walk you through the full scope of legal options in your case.

Protect your rights after a gas leak. Contact our experienced legal team for guidance.