Gas explosions occur when there is a
gas leak in proximity to an ignition source. Many gases can
cause gas explosions. Some of the more common causes of gas
leaks include natural gas, propane, methane and butane. This
is due to the fact that these gases are commonly used as
heating sources. Other gases are sometimes involved in gas
explosion accidents, such as hydrogen, but these types of
accidents occur less
frequently.
There are many sources of gas in
your home that may lead to a gas explosion accident. Some of
these sources include:
·
Water
heaters
·
Space
heaters
·
Dryers
·
Ovens
(including ranges and cook
tops)
·
Gas
lights
·
Outdoor
grills
·
Fireplaces
·
Gas
generators
·
Pool
heaters
Many gas explosion accidents can be
avoided. In the home, many gas explosion accidents occur from
natural gas. You may not be aware, but natural gas has no
odor. Gas companies are required to add an odorant to gas to
give it an odor that is easily recognizable. Should you smell
natural gas in your home, follow these safety tips to keep you
and your loved ones safe:
·
Alert
everyone in the house and leave the house
immediately
·
Notify
your gas supplier/gas company from somewhere nearby, such as a
neighbor’s house, and be sure to tell the company where you
are
·
Don’t
light a match or use a lighter in the
home
·
Don’t
turn on anything
electrical
·
Do
not use your cell phone
·
Do
not turn on any lights
Maintaining equipment and having it
checked frequently by professionals (i.e. furnace, fireplaces
and water heaters) may also help to prevent gas explosion
accidents.
When someone is injured as the
result of a gas explosion accident, injuries may be severe.
Gas explosions may cause severe burns, as well as associated
traumatic injuries if the victim is thrown or falls. These
injuries may require extensive treatment and rehabilitation
and may result in lasting physical and psychological damage.
In addition, medical expenses may be
overwhelming.
Sometimes gas explosion injuries
occur due to improperly functioning appliances. In these
cases, liability for the accident can be attributed to any one
of the following:
·
The
gas company who supplies the
gas
·
The
person or company who sold you the
equipment/appliance
·
The
distributor of the
appliance
·
Anyone
who recently repaired or installed the
appliance/equipment
·
The
manufacturer of the
appliance/equipment
It can be difficult for a person not
familiar with the law to determine whether an accident
occurred due to negligence or faulty equipment. In these types
of cases, obtaining legal advice is often necessary. Legal
experts can help you determine whether you have a case and can
help you move forward in terms of instigating legal
proceedings. Legal experts understand the pain and suffering
involved in gas explosion accidents and can help you recover
damages for lost wages, pain and suffering and medical
bills.
