Explosions are devastating, and they can cause severe injuries, property damage, and lasting trauma. Whether at home, in the workplace, or due to faulty products, detonations demand immediate attention and often lead to complex legal proceedings.
This blog will guide you through the essential steps to take after an explosion, common causes and injuries, and the process you will take to seek compensation. Understanding the process and what is needed from you is crucial in ensuring you receive fair compensation.
What To Do After an Explosion
Explosions should always be taken seriously, even if the damage seems minor. Not all injuries will be visible immediately, and you may not feel pain due to adrenaline or shock. Our personal injury attorneys always recommend that getting to an emergency room as soon as possible is vital.
Requesting a full report from the doctor at this time is essential. The medical report and bills will be vital evidence when you seek compensation later in the legal process.
Common Causes of Explosions
There are many potential causes of detonations, and identifying the source and cause will be an essential part of the legal proceedings that can follow an explosion. The most common causes include:
In the home:
- Gas leaks and propane eruptions
- Faulty appliances
- Defective products like phones or e-cigarettes
- Improper appliance maintenance, such as tumble dryer lint buildup
- Environmental factors like lightning
At work:
- Mishandling of hazardous materials
- Hot work, such as welding
- Dangerous workplaces
- Inadequate safety standards
- Insufficient worker training
- Defective machinery
- Combustible dust buildup
Injuries Caused by Explosions
Burns are common and can range from mild to severe, even be life-threatening and can lead to disfigurement, scarring, and skin damage, necessitating skin grafts. Crush injuries caused by falling structures and debris can result in broken bones, amputation, internal bleeding, and brain injuries.
Blast injuries can cause internal injuries, ruptured eardrums, blunt force trauma, impalements, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain damage, and much more. Hearing loss, tinnitus, vision impairment, and lung damage are also common after an explosion.
Psychological trauma can result in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, which are complex and can remain even when physical wounds have healed.
What is the Legal Process After an Explosion?
If you were injured in a detonation caused by another party’s negligence, you have the right to sue for compensation. However, suing someone can be complicated and drawn out, which is where our attorneys come in.
We work for you to ensure you are appropriately compensated for physical, financial, and emotional damages from explosions. You aren’t required to pay any fees until we win your case. To build a case, we follow the tried-and-true steps:
- Together, we will collect as much evidence as possible, including your medical records, photos and videos of the accident, witness statements, employment contracts, and sometimes even debris from the explosion site.
- Your attorney will work tirelessly to investigate every aspect of your accident to identify the cause of the blast and the responsible party. We will find out if there was negligence, faulty equipment, shoddy safety protocols, or another potential reason for the accident.
- We will negotiate on your behalf. Unfortunately, many insurance companies push for low settlement offers to avoid trials and protect themselves from high payouts. Our goal is always to get you the maximum financial compensation covering all economic and non-economic damages.
- We are fully prepared to sue if your compensation offer is inadequate. We do not seek revenge, but we will seek justice in a court of law and ensure you have the resources to rebuild and move forward with your life.
What Are the Legal Time Limits?
The statute of limitations varies depending on your state and the type of claim. Contacting an attorney immediately after an accident is vital to be sure the case is handled promptly. There may also be evidence that demands immediate collection for it to be deemed valid by the court. Your attorney will advise you on your exact time limit and help you file your claim quickly to avoid complications.
Your Options for Legal Recourse
A premises liability claim is filed when the property owner is guilty of not maintaining a safe environment. A safe workplace includes properly maintained gas leaks, no hazardous equipment, and the absence of proper safety standards.
A personal injury claim is filed to compensate the plaintiff for injuries sustained in events like gas explosions. Depending on the circumstances, these claims are filed against the product manufacturer, property owner, or gas company.
When an employee is injured in a blast at their workplace, their employer can be held liable in a workers’ compensation claim. This liability covers expenses resulting from the accident, such as medical bills and lost wages.
A product liability claim is filed when a defective product causes an explosion. This claim seeks compensation for the injured party and will publicly hold the manufacturer accountable for the negligence that caused the blast.
Compensatory and Punitive Damages
Compensatory damages are funds paid to the injured party by the person responsible for the explosion. These damages include economic and non-economic:
- Economic damages pay for the financial losses caused by the accident, such as medical bills and lost future earning potential.
- Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, which can be hard to substantiate because they involve the mental toll of the accident on the plaintiff.
Punitive damages are intended to reimburse the injured party and penalize the guilty party. If the court finds that the defendant broke the law and that violation led to the plaintiff’s injury, punitive damages may be awarded.
Who is Liable for An Explosion?
We will decide who the responsible party is by gathering evidence, speaking to experts, and investigating potential negligence. Once identified, we will use the evidence you have collected and testimonies from witnesses and experts in the field to prove that the defendant’s negligence led to your injury.
Potential defendants in an explosion injury case include:
- Employers
- Business owners
- Site managers
- Manufacturers
- Utility companies
Receive the Compensation You Deserve
Navigating the aftermath of an explosion can be overwhelming, so understanding the legal process is crucial for protecting your rights and securing fair compensation. From gathering evidence and identifying liable parties, each step plays a vital role in building a solid case.
By understanding the types of damages available, you’ll be better equipped to face the legal challenges ahead. While no amount of compensation can undo the trauma of an explosion, pursuing legal action can provide the resources you need for recovery and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
