Why Do Gas Explosions Keep Happening?

Many gas explosions are preventable, but despite the devastation they cause, they keep happening. Gas utility companies, property owners, manufacturers of gas appliances, contractors, and government agencies all have a role in preventing gas explosions. Often, homeowners and people living with gas appliances don’t know the gas appliances and lines in and around their homes are posing an invisible risk.

Understanding the Devastating Impact of Gas Explosions

A gas explosion can leave numerous household members, and even whole communities, emotionally and physically injured in its wake.

Physical and Mental Health Impacts

Even with immediate assistance from medical personnel, serious physical injuries and fatalities can be unavoidable. Injuries from gas explosions often include:

• Burns
• Blast injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Hearing damage or loss
• Respiratory injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

The immediate injuries suffered at the time of the explosion aren’t the only ones victims face. There are a variety of long-term physical health issues, such as respiratory damage from inhaling toxins. Victims also frequently suffer from psychological trauma in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.

Property Damage

Your health is the most important thing, but property damage can be a source of extreme stress. When you have significant damage or have lost your home or car in a gas explosion, there is no understating its negative impact on your life.

Community Impacts

Natural gas leaks and explosions are more common in low-income communities. These communities are often underinsured for health, life, and property insurance. When natural gas explosions occur in these communities, their members are left financially reeling without insurance to fall back on for support.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a gas explosion, contact the gas explosion attorneys at Munley Law for a free consultation.

Critical Warning Signs of an Impending Gas Explosion

Watch for these warning signs to help prevent a gas explosion. If you’ve experienced a gas explosion, think back if you noticed any of these signs beforehand:

• Natural gas odor detection: Natural gas doesn’t have a smell, but your gas company adds chemicals that smell like rotten eggs to help detect gas leaks.
• Unusual sounds: You may have heard hissing or whistling sounds coming from gas appliances, or a gas line in or near your home.
• Visual warning signs: Underground gas leaks can be visible in a couple of ways. You may have noticed bubbles on the surface if you have standing bodies of water near your home. Areas of dead grass or vegetation also indicate an underground leak.
• Physical symptoms: You, your family, and even your pets may have been experiencing physical symptoms from prolonged exposure to natural gas. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you notice any of these warning signs, evacuate immediately, call 911 and your natural gas utility company. 

Common Triggers Leading to Gas Explosions

Many things can lead to gas explosions; often, people don’t even realize they are in imminent danger. Common triggers of gas explosions include:

• Infrastructure failures
• Improper installation
• Equipment malfunction
• Poor maintenance
• Failure to conduct regular maintenance
• Faulty valves
• Weather-related damage 

Faulty appliances in homes are common causes of natural gas explosions. Such appliances include:

• Gas grills
• Gas stoves
• Gas fireplaces
• A gas furnace
• Water heaters
• Space heaters

Having gas detectors in your home that aren’t functioning can cause you to miss gas leaks from your appliances. Ensure your gas detector batteries are changed on schedule so you have an early warning of any faulty appliances and a natural gas leak in your home.

If you suspect negligence caused a gas explosion, contact Munley Law to understand your legal rights.

Essential Safety Protocols for Gas Explosion Prevention

Preventing natural gas explosions can save lives and prevent life-long pain and suffering for victims and families. While not every accident can be prevented, there are a few safety guidelines to follow and preventive measures you can take, such as:

• Detection system: Install gas detectors in your home that cover gases such as carbon monoxide. Your local fire department can explain proper placement and installation requirements.
• Professional inspection schedules: Your gas lines, gas appliances, and connections should be regularly professionally inspected.
• Emergency shut-off procedures: Know where your natural gas valve is in your home and how to shut it off quickly..
• Proper ventilation guidelines: Follow proper ventilation guidelines for your gas appliances; these can be found online or in the appliance manual.

The proper procedures and rules for gas appliances, as well as their installation, maintenance, and more, can be difficult to follow. The National Fire Protection Association has numerous guidance documents that can help you learn how to use gas appliances in your home safely.

Need help determining if safety protocols were violated? Contact our experienced legal team for a thorough case evaluation.

Your Legal Rights After a Gas Explosion

Gas explosions often cause serious injuries and can be fatal. If you and your loved ones have the good luck of not being home at the time of the natural gas explosion, you may still be facing extensive property damage. Fortunately, victims of gas explosions have a few legal options.

Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been hurt in a gas explosion, you may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Compensation in these claims can cover medical expenses, lost wages, lost future learning capacity, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If you have lost a loved one in a gas explosion, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit. Here, you could receive compensation such as medical expenses incurred before their passing, funeral costs, lost income, and loss of companionship.

Property Damage Claim

Gas explosions can cause significant property damage. A property damage claim can help you recover costs of repairs or replacement of damaged or destroyed property such as your home or vehicle.

Class Action Lawsuit

If a natural gas explosion has significantly impacted your community, you may collectively be able to file a class action lawsuit. This type of lawsuit allows multiple victims to file a single lawsuit to hold at-fault parties liable.

A class action lawsuit can expedite the settlement process because instead of the at-fault party’s insurance company negotiating multiple settlements in numerous lawsuits, it can focus on a single negotiation on behalf of all victims. Your attorney will let you know if a class action is a good option in your case.

Let Munley Law’s experienced gas explosion attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review.

Emergency Response and Recovery Steps

Being in a gas explosion is terrifying. Everything is chaotic; people are injured, and no one knows what is going on and if they are safe. It may feel impossible to stay calm, but calling emergency services is the first step.

You will want to take immediate safety measures, including evacuating the area and steering clear of open flames, electronics, or anything that could be flammable. Get a safe distance from the explosion site and get medical assistance.

Even if you don’t think you are injured, you may be in shock and unable to process or feel your injuries. You could have injuries such as internal bleeding that aren’t visible to you at the moment.

In the aftermath of a natural gas explosion, you will want to continue with regular medical check-ups. The health effects of inhaling natural gas and toxic chemicals aren’t always apparent immediately after an accident, but you are still entitled to compensation.

Once you are safe and received medical attention, you want to document the accident and notify your insurance company. This can include writing down or recording anything you remember from the day of the accident and the explosion itself.

Make sure you collect all documentation related to the explosion, such as medical bills and treatment documents, insurance reports, police reports, and more. These documents are what make a strong case and get you maximum compensation.

For experienced help after a gas explosion, contact Munley Law today. For 65 years our legal team has fought for the rights of injured victims.  Call to day for a free consultation