New Jersey Gas Explosion Injury Lawyers

Those who suffer losses as a result of explosions should consult with a lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., to understand what legal rights and options they have after a disaster occurs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fires and explosions were the cause of 2,200 non-fatal workplace injuries necessitating days away from work in 2011.  In recent years, notable gas explosions have also occurred both in homes and workplaces. ABC News reports that devastation following Hurricane Sandy created a high risk of gas explosions in New Jersey as a result of ruptured gas lines.

Gas explosions have serious consequences. Gases can be highly combustible, resulting in rapidly spreading fires that may burn very hot and may be hard to put out. It is common for gas explosions to cause serious burn injuries and injuries due to smoke inhalation and other damages to the body. Gas explosions are also likely to result in death.

If you were injured in a New Jersey gas explosion through no fault of your own, you may be eligible to recover compensation. To schedule a free initial consultation, call Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., today at 1-800-LAW-2000 or complete our online form. You will not pay for our legal services unless we recover for you.

Causes of Gas Explosions

Gas explosions can occur when certain gases leak or are released into the atmosphere unintentionally and exposed to an ignition source. Many gases are highly combustible, and gas explosions can occur as a result of the following types of gas leaks:

When these or other combustible gas clouds are released or when these gases leak, one of two things can happen:

• The gas can come into contact with an ignition source and ignite immediately, causing a fire to start right away.
• A gas cloud will form comprised of the fuel and the air. Pressure will slowly build, leading to a gas explosion. The pressure may build for a matter of seconds or for a matter of minutes. The force of the explosion will depend on how quickly the pressure escapes the gas cloud and on how quickly the flame propagates.

While both gas fires and gas explosions can be harmful, the pressure and force of a gas explosion can create an especially deadly risk and cause complete destruction.

Who is at Risk of Injuries from Gas Explosions?

Gas explosions can happen anywhere, including inside pipes or underground gas lines. They may occur as a result of:

• Faulty gas lines
• Gas leaks
• Rupture of gas lines due to hurricanes or other natural disaster
• Improperly stored gases or combustible materials, especially near heat sources
• Faulty pipe fittings
• Industrial accidents
• Dust explosions
• The unsafe use of propane grills or improper storage of propane tanks
• Overloading fuses or circuits
• Within gas or chemical storage or transportation tanks during repair or cleaning
• The use of defective equipment such as damaged electrical cords.

These and other problems that lead to gas explosions can occur anywhere, from a home where a gas stove is left on or a propane tank is stored in an unsafe manner in a hot garage to an industrial environment where proper safety precautions are not followed. However, certain types of environments present great risk for gas explosions. These include:

• Chemical processing plants
• Office environments where electrical equipment is misused
• Neighborhoods with aging gas pipes (according to MSNBC, a major gas pipeline explosion in California in 2010 drew attention to this problem)
• Industrial environments, especially where gases and chemicals are stored and where there is a risk of dust explosions.
• Offshore oil rigs

These are only a few of the many environments where gas explosions may occur. Because of the widespread use of natural gas and propane gas in homes, commercial and industrial buildings and retail spaces, a gas explosion could literally happen anywhere.

Get Legal Help from a New Jersey Gas Explosion Lawyer

After a gas explosion, surviving victims or family members of deceased victims may have certain legal rights. Those injured in a gas explosion at work can file a workers’ compensation claim and receive benefits, including payment of lost wages and coverage for medical bills. Those injured in a gas explosion caused by negligence or carelessness may also be able to file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages.

A New Jersey gas explosion lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., can help you with every aspect of making a claim for benefits after a gas explosion has occurred. From evaluating your case to determining who can be held responsible to helping you to negotiate a settlement or sue in court, we can represent your interests at every step.

To learn more about your rights to compensation after a gas explosion, call us today at 1-800-LAW-2000 or fill out our online form. Your initial consultation is free. You will pay no legal fees unless we recover the compensation you and your family deserve.