Fires and explosions are some of the most devastating types of accidents. They can leave victims with catastrophic injuries, including life-changing burns, internal and external injuries, and permanent disfigurement. Some victims suffer ongoing psychological trauma, while others tragically lose their lives.
Some fire and explosion accidents are simply accidents, with the US Fire Administration highlighting cooking as the leading cause of residential fires in 2023. However, other fires and explosions are down to negligence, such as poorly maintained gas lines, defective products, and safety violations at work.
At Fielding Law, we are proud to represent individuals and families who have suffered life-changing injuries due to fires and explosions. If you are wondering where to turn for help, we are ready to hear your story and hold the responsible parties financially accountable for their negligence. Call (877) 880-4090 today to discuss your case with a fire and explosions injury lawyer for free.
Common Causes of Fires and Explosions
Fires and explosions can happen in any setting, including workplaces, residences, and vehicles. While they can cause serious consequences, the underlying causes are often preventable.
Common causes of fires and explosions include:
Cooking: This is the cause of 48.7 percent of home fires each year. They are often caused when pans are left unattended, causing oil or grease to ignite due to overheating. Flammable materials nearby can cause flames to spread rapidly to other parts of the kitchen and home.
Propane tank explosion: These devastating explosions happen when propane gas leaks from the tank and ignites, causing the entire tank to explode. This can even cause an entire house to blow up, leading to catastrophic injuries.
Natural gas explosion: A faulty natural gas line has the potential to ignite and cause a serious explosion that can cause serious damage to your property and severe injuries.
Faulty appliances: Gas appliances may be subject to recalls if it is discovered that they have faults that put them at risk of exploding. Additionally, electronics and products with batteries can malfunction and explode or cause fires in certain circumstances.
Electrical malfunctions: Improperly installed electrical circuitry, outdated wiring, and defective appliances can lead to electrical fires.
Not all fires and explosions can be traced back to negligence on the part of an individual or a manufacturer. However, when they can, victims have the right to pursue legal action.
Injuries From Fires and Explosions
The unpredictable nature of explosions and the heat and power of flames mean they can cause some of the most severe and life-altering injuries imaginable. These can include:
Burn injuries: Second- and third-degree burns may require extensive treatment, including skin grafts and long-term care. They can leave painful scarring and cause long-term mobility problems.
Smoke inhalation injuries: Breathing in toxic fumes, steam, or superheated air can lead to respiratory failure or permanent lung damage.
Traumatic injuries: Explosions often cause blunt force trauma, shrapnel injuries, or crush injuries due to falling debris.
Hearing and vision loss: The force of a significant explosion can damage the sensitive tissues in the eyes and ears, at times resulting in permanent damage.
Scarring and disfigurement: Scarring is not only painful, but when it is in visible areas, it can cause anxiety and emotional trauma for the victim.
Psychological trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common among survivors of fires and explosions.
If someone else’s negligence was the cause of any of these injuries in your case, you deserve a Fielding Law fire and explosions injury lawyer fighting for your rights and pursuing compensation to help you regain a good quality of life.
Liability in Fire And Explosion Injury Cases
After a fire or an explosion, the most critical role of a personal injury lawyer is to investigate your case and identify the liable party or parties. Depending on the circumstances of your case, some potentially liable parties may include:
Property owners or landlords: These groups of people owe the users of their property a duty of care by ensuring they meet local fire safety standards. This may include installing or maintaining smoke detectors and fixing known fire hazards. If they failed in their legal duties, your attorney may be able to build a strong case for liability.
Utility companies: We rely on utility companies to follow the highest safety standards when supplying and maintaining gas lines and electrical infrastructure. If one of their workers is negligent and this leads to a fire or explosion, you may have recourse to seek compensation from them.
Employers: If an employer failed to ensure OSHA standards were adhered to in the workplace, at the very least, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer does not have this coverage, you may be entitled to sue the company for damages. If a subcontractor or property owner was liable for a workplace fire or explosion, you may be able to pursue a third-party liability claim.
Product manufacturers: When a faulty space heater or another appliance ignites or explodes, multiple parties may be liable under product liability law. Your Fielding Law fire and explosions injury lawyer can explore whether the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer bears liability for your injuries.
Compensation in Fire And Explosion Cases
If your injuries occurred at work, and your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, your compensation will be limited to:
Reasonable medical expenses
Partial wage benefits
Death and burial benefits, if your loved one lost his or her life
However, if you are able to sue a third party who is not your employer, or your accident occurred away from work, you may be entitled to the following economic compensation:
Medical expenses
Lost wages – past and future
Property damage
Additionally, you may be able to claim the following non-economic damages:
Pain and suffering
Scarring and disfigurement
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
What a Fire And Explosions Injury Lawyer Can Do For You
By their very nature, fires and explosions leave chaos and destruction in their wake. While you are trying to recover from your serious injuries, you need the peace of mind that comes from knowing an aggressive and diligent lawyer is fighting hard for your rights.
A Fielding Law fire and explosions injury lawyer can:
Understand your injuries and the long-term impact on your life, to calculate a fair settlement that will help you continue to receive the medical care and support you need
Fight hard with insurance companies at the negotiating table or in court in pursuit of maximum compensation
Trust Fielding Law With Your Fire and Explosion Injury Case
At Fielding Law, we understand it’s not about us, it’s about you. We focus all our efforts on achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients, and our dedication to their best interests yields results.
We have secured over $141 million in compensation for our clients and have won over 4,900 cases. Now is the time to discover what your fire and explosion accident case could be worth.
Schedule a free case evaluation today by calling (877) 880-4090 or filling out our online contact form, and we will call you back to set up a meeting with a Fielding Law fire and explosions lawyer very soon.
