Who Can I Sue After a Ruptured Gas Line Causes an Explosion?
A natural gas explosion can leave victims with severe burns and other such injuries. You may deserve compensation for the cost of medical treatment and related damages if you’ve been injured in such an accident.
However, you might not know how to recover compensation after being injured, perhaps because you don’t know who you can sue when a gas explosion occurs. At Munley Law, our gas explosion attorneys can provide answers about your legal rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Potential Parties Liable in Gas Line Explosion Cases
Seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other such losses from gas explosion injuries generally involves filing a personal injury claim with the liable party’s insurer. In some cases, compensation can be sought from other liable parties. Potentially liable parties when gas explosion accidents occur include:
- The local gas company
- Property owners and managers, as gas explosion accidents can result from a lack of proper maintenance or monitoring on the part of a property owner
- Construction companies
- Equipment manufacturers
- Government entities
You don’t have to identify the parties responsible for a gas explosion when you think you have a case. Munley Law will investigate your case and identify all liable parties.
Your Rights After a Gas Line Explosion
Gas explosion victims are often injured in workplace accidents. If you were hurt in a gas explosion while at work, your first means of seeking compensation is typically to file a claim with your employer’s worker’s compensation insurer.
The insurance company may try to deny your claim by arguing that you weren’t operating in the capacity of an employee when you were injured. Or, even if a workers’ comp insurer honors your claim, the compensation they provide may not be sufficient to compensate you for all your losses in these circumstances.
You may file a third-party claim seeking additional compensation if you can show the gas explosion that caused your accident resulted from another party’s negligence (although proving negligence isn’t necessary in a product liability case). Be aware that the statute of limitations for most types of personal injury cases requires you to file a lawsuit within a specified time period afte the accident.. You may lose the right to compensation if you don’t file your personal injury lawsuit by the deadline.
Gas explosion cases can be complex. Sometimes, they involve seeking compensation from multiple parties. In addition, if the explosion results in the death of a victim, their loved ones may have the right to seek death benefits or wrongful death damages.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Speak with a Munley Law explosion attorney today.
Common Causes of Gas Line Explosions
A natural gas explosion has many potential causes. The following are among the more common:
- Excavation accidents involving damage to gas lines
- Pipeline corrosion, in which gas lines break down over time, perhaps due to lack of proper upkeep
- Defective materials, which can render gas lines or other forms of equipment ineffective
- Improper maintenance
- Safety regulation violations
Remember, knowing how your gas explosion accident happened is key to knowing who is responsible for compensating you. Let our experienced team investigate the cause of your explosion injury. Call Munley Law now.
Types of Compensation Available for Explosion Victims
Gas explosion victims may be eligible for different types of damages depending on whether they pursue claims through insurance, civil lawsuits, or other legal channels. For example, workers’ compensation tends to provide compensation for such economic losses as:
- Medical expenses and future care
- Lost wages and earning capacity
Once more, workers’ comp may not offer enough compensation to cover all your losses after a natural gas explosion leaves you with serious injuries. Other types of compensation that may be available if you file a personal injury lawsuit include:
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
Don’t let the insurance company convince you to accept a settlement that doesn’t reflect your claim’s true value. Maximize your compensation with Munley Law’s proven track record in explosion cases.
Evidence Needed to Prove Liability
Gathering proper evidence is vital in gas explosion cases. Evidence that can help your personal injury attorney establish liability include:
- Investigation reports
- Maintenance records
- Safety inspection documents
- Expert testimony
- Witness statements
After a gas explosion accident, you may be facing everything from significant medical costs to long-term pain and suffering. You shouldn’t add to your struggles now by attempting to build a case on your own. Trust Munley Law to fight for your rights. Schedule your free consultation today.
