Propane and gas explosions can cause serious injuries, fatalities, and total property destruction.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in such an incident, call Schwaba Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted propane and gas explosions lawyer who can help you secure a settlement reflecting the full scope of your damages.
Our propane and gas explosions attorneys serve Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina.
Understanding Propane and Gas Explosion Accidents
Gas and propane explosions occur when flammable gases accumulate in an enclosed space and ignite from a spark, flame, or electrical source. Even a small leak can create a dangerous environment. When ignition occurs, the resulting blast can level buildings, cause severe burns, and claim lives.
Understanding how these catastrophic events happen is the first step in determining who is liable for propane gas explosion incidents. Common causes of propane and gas explosions include:
- Faulty or corroded gas lines leaking propane.
- Defective propane tanks or valves.
- Improper installation of gas appliances.
- Failure to detect or repair leaks.
- Negligent maintenance by property owners.
- Inadequate inspections by utility providers.
- Manufacturing defects in gas equipment.
The consequences of these gas and propane tank explosions extend far beyond the initial blast. Victims often suffer third-degree burns, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, respiratory damage, and permanent disfigurement.
Property damage can reach into the millions, leaving families homeless and businesses destroyed.
Determining liability in propane and gas explosions is a complex process that involves extensive legal knowledge and a thorough investigation into multiple parties that may be held accountable for your injuries and damages.
Evidence must be preserved immediately, expert witnesses must analyze the scene, and negligent parties must be identified before they can destroy records or shift blame.
Insurance companies often fight aggressively to minimize payouts or deny claims entirely. The complexity of propane tank explosion cases makes experienced legal representation critical for protecting your rights and securing the full compensation for your personal injury claim.
Property Owners and Landlords
Property owners and landlords are legally obligated to keep their premises safe for tenants, visitors, and anyone lawfully on the property. If they fail to meet gas safety standards, they can be held responsible for resulting explosions and injuries.
The law requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a safe and habitable condition. Property owners and landlords may be liable when:
- They neglect to inspect or maintain gas lines and connections.
- They disregard tenant reports of gas odors or suspected leaks.
- They hire unlicensed contractors for gas system repairs.
- They violate building codes or fire safety regulations.
- They fail to install required gas detectors or safety devices.
- They allow outdated or hazardous gas appliances to remain in use.
Utility Companies and Gas Providers
Utility companies and gas providers bear significant responsibility for the safe delivery and maintenance of gas infrastructure. When these companies cut corners, ignore safety protocols, or fail to respond adequately to reported problems, they put entire communities at risk.
A propane and gas explosions attorney at Schwaba Law Firm can investigate whether utility negligence contributed to your explosion. Utility companies may be held responsible for:
- Failing to respond promptly to reported gas leaks.
- Negligent installation of gas lines or meters.
- Inadequate inspection and maintenance of distribution systems.
- Failure to mark underground gas lines before excavation.
- Ignoring known defects in infrastructure.
- Providing insufficient training to employees.
- Violating industry safety standards and regulations.
Manufacturers and Product Liability
Defective products cause many propane and gas explosions. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in the supply chain may all share liability when defective products cause explosions. We work with engineering experts and product safety specialists to prove that equipment defects directly caused your injuries and losses.
Product liability law allows victims to seek compensation without proving traditional negligence, focusing instead on whether the product was unreasonably dangerous. Product liability claims may arise from:
- Defective propane tanks that leak or rupture.
- Faulty pressure relief valves that fail to function.
- Gas appliances with design flaws or manufacturing defects.
- Faulty hoses, shut-off valves, connectors, or regulators that fail to detect gas and propane leaks.
- Inadequate warnings or safety instructions.
- Products that fail industry safety standards.
Shared Liability in Propane and Gas Explosion Cases
Many explosion cases involve multiple responsible parties.
The law allows injury victims to pursue compensation from all negligent actors. A landlord who failed to maintain gas lines may share liability with a manufacturer who produced a defective valve. A utility company that ignored leak reports may share responsibility with a contractor who performed faulty installation work.
Identifying every liable party maximizes your potential recovery and ensures that all responsible entities are held accountable and pay their fair share. The propane and gas explosions attorneys at Schwaba Law Firm conduct exhaustive investigations to uncover all sources of liability, reviewing:
- Maintenance records.
- Inspection reports.
- Building permits.
- Product documentation.
Our gas and propane explosion lawyers consult with fire investigators, engineers, and safety experts who can reconstruct the explosion and pinpoint each party’s failures.
We preserve evidence before it disappears and take depositions before memories fade. By building a comprehensive case against all negligent parties, we protect your right to full compensation.
Getting Legal Help After a Propane or Gas Explosion
At Schwaba Law Firm, we understand the overwhelming challenges you face after a propane or gas explosion.
We have built our practice on holding negligent parties accountable and fighting for maximum recovery for injured victims. Our commitment to our clients and our track record of success are reflected in our client testimonials, where you can read about the experiences of people we have helped through their darkest hours.
As one client says:
Hands down Schwaba Law Office is the best! They were there for us the entire duration of our case. They went out of their way & came to our home. I don’t know how we would have got through everything without them!
We have secured millions of dollars for injury clients in Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina.
Our case results include a $150,000 product liability settlement for a client who was severely burned while using a defective gas grill. We know how to investigate complex explosion cases, identify liable parties, and negotiate with insurance companies that want to pay as little as possible.
When you work with our team, you get a propane and gas explosion lawyer who will stand by your side from your first consultation through settlement or trial. Call Schwaba Law Firm or reach out online for a free case evaluation and learn how we can pursue justice and compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
