Every year, propane explosions cause devastating injuries and property damage across North Carolina, leaving victims facing overwhelming medical bills and life-altering consequences.
If you’ve been injured in a propane accident, call Schwaba Law Firm immediately to schedule a free consultation with an experienced propane explosion lawyer in Charlotte who will fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Understanding Propane Explosion Accidents in North Carolina
Propane fuels countless homes, businesses, and industrial sites across North Carolina—from residential heating systems to commercial forklifts and agricultural machinery.
Although it is efficient and dependable when properly managed, factors such as improper storage, defective equipment, or negligent handling can turn propane into a deadly hazard capable of exploding without warning. Common hazards linked to propane accidents include:
- Leaking tanks and corroded valves.
- Improper installation of appliances.
- Defective regulators and connectors.
- Inadequate ventilation in enclosed spaces.
- Failure to detect odors from gas leaks.
- Improper tank storage and transportation.
- Lack of safety equipment maintenance.
- Violations of industry safety standards.
These hazards become particularly dangerous when multiple safety failures occur simultaneously, creating perfect storm conditions for catastrophic explosions. North Carolina’s varied climate places additional strain on propane equipment, which may accelerate corrosion, cause pressure fluctuations, and compromise safety mechanisms.
Our propane gas explosions attorneys often find that companies skip routine inspections, disregard manufacturer recalls, or fail to train employees in proper emergency procedures. Severe weather events, such as hurricanes and ice storms, can damage outdoor propane tanks and supply lines.
However, many property owners and suppliers overlook critical post-storm safety checks that can prevent deadly accidents.
Serious Injuries Often Resulting from Propane Explosions
Propane explosions generate intense heat and explosive force that inflict catastrophic injuries on anyone nearby.
Victims frequently require immediate emergency treatment followed by months or years of specialized medical care, reconstructive surgeries, and rehabilitation services. Common explosion injuries in propane tank explosion cases include:
- Third-degree burns covering large body areas.
- Severe respiratory damage from toxic fume inhalation.
- Traumatic brain injuries from blast impact.
- Broken bones and internal organ damage.
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement.
- Hearing loss from explosive force.
- Vision impairment or blindness.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition to severe physical harm, explosion victims and their families suffer deep emotional trauma that disrupts every part of their lives.
The shock of surviving such a violent event—combined with painful recovery and potential lifelong disabilities—often leads to lasting psychological challenges that demand professional care and ongoing support.
Who May Be Liable for a Propane Explosion Accident
Multiple parties may bear legal responsibility for propane explosion injuries, and our Charlotte propane explosion lawyer team conducts thorough investigations to identify all potential defendants.
We examine every aspect of the incident to determine who failed in their duty to ensure safe propane handling and equipment:
- Propane Suppliers and Distributors – Companies that deliver and service propane tanks must follow strict safety protocols during installation, maintenance, and inspection procedures. They bear responsibility when inadequate training, rushed deliveries, or failure to detect hazardous conditions lead to explosions.
- Property Owners and Landlords – Building owners have a duty of care to ensure proper ventilation, maintain gas detection systems, and address known hazards on their premises. When landlords ignore tenant complaints about gas odors or delay necessary repairs to propane systems, their negligence makes them liable for resulting injuries.
- Equipment Manufacturers – Companies that design and produce propane tanks, valves, regulators, and appliances must ensure their products meet safety standards. Defective designs, manufacturing errors, or inadequate safety warnings create liability when product failures cause explosions.
- Installation and Maintenance Companies – HVAC contractors, plumbers, and service technicians must properly install and maintain propane systems in accordance with industry standards. Incorrect installations, use of wrong components, or failure to test systems after service work can trigger deadly explosions.
Determining liability requires understanding how negligence and product defects contribute to propane accidents. At Schwaba Law Firm, our explosion accident attorneys work with fire investigators, engineering experts, and industry specialists who help establish whether human error, equipment failure, or a mix of factors caused your injuries.
A comprehensive investigation is essential for building strong cases against responsible parties. Our explosion accident lawyers examine maintenance records, inspection reports, industry regulations, and witness statements to construct compelling arguments that demonstrate how defendants’ actions or omissions led directly to your suffering.
Compensation Available to Explosion Victims in North Carolina
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52, propane explosion victims have three years from the date of injury to file claims or lawsuits. However, exceptions may apply in cases involving defective products or when injuries manifest later.
Our Mooresville propane explosion lawyer team helps clients understand these deadlines and ensures all necessary legal documents are filed promptly to preserve their rights. Damages available to propane gas explosion victims include:
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses.
- Lost wages and employment benefits.
- Diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Permanent disability and disfigurement.
- Property damage replacement costs.
- Home modifications for disabilities.
- Emotional distress.
Families who lose loved ones in propane explosions may pursue wrongful death claims under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2 to recover funeral expenses, lost financial support, and compensation for their profound loss. These claims must be filed within two years of death, making immediate legal consultation vital for grieving families seeking justice.
