Pittsburgh Electrical Fires & Gas Explosions Lawyer

Skilled Electrical Fires & Gas Explosions Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas and electrical fires and explosions are catastrophic events that can destroy homes, cause severe injuries, and forever change the lives of victims and their families. At SMT Legal, we know that most of these incidents could have been prevented with proper care and maintenance. A gas/electrical fires and gas explosions lawyer can be a great resource to lean on.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers have helped numerous victims recover compensation after these life-altering events. If you or a loved one has been affected by a gas or electrical fire or explosion, contact us today for a consultation to learn about your legal options.

Common Gas Explosion Causes

Understanding the root causes of electrical fires and gas explosions can help prevent future tragedies. It can also help establish liability when accidents occur. Our investigation team frequently encounters the following issues:

• Aging Infrastructure – Deteriorating gas lines and outdated electrical systems can create dangerous conditions, particularly in older buildings and neighborhoods. Over time, pipes can corrode, wiring can decay, and safety mechanisms can fail.
• Faulty Installation – Improperly installed gas appliances, electrical systems, or components create serious safety risks. Even minor errors during installation can lead to gas leaks or electrical malfunctions. In some cases, the improper removal or relocation of gas meters outside a home or business can lead to leaks in a gas system that result in serious property damage and bodily injuries caused by fires and explosions.
• Poor Maintenance – Regular inspection and maintenance are essential for both gas and electrical systems. When property owners or utility companies fail to perform necessary upkeep, dangerous conditions can develop.
• Defective Equipment – Manufacturing defects in appliances, electrical components, or gas delivery systems, such as rusted propane or gas cylinders, can create fire and explosion hazards. These issues may affect individual units or entire product lines.
• Construction Accidents – Construction and renovation work near gas lines or electrical systems requires extreme care. Errors during these projects can result in immediate catastrophes or create hazardous conditions that manifest later.
• Propane Gas without Odorant – Propane gas is a natural byproduct of petroleum and, in its natural state, is odorless. Federal and state regulations require that an odorant, typically Ethyl Mercaptan, be added to the gas to create the distinctive smell associated with propane. Sometimes, companies negligently forget to add odorant to gas or deliver propane in a cylinder that has rust, which can cause the odorant to fade and become undetectable. In these circumstances, if odorless propane leaks into or around a home or building, the leak will go undetected, failing to warn people of the danger of ignition and explosion. Understanding the science behind these types of fires and explosions requires experience and knowledge that our attorneys possess.

Whether you believe your injuries resulted from one of these causes or something separate, the team at SMT Legal can conduct a thorough investigation and start working to hold the at-fault party accountable.

Types of Injuries

Gas and electrical fires and explosions often result in catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. At SMT Legal, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries take on victims and their families. We can help you recover compensation for losses relating to fire- and explosion-related injuries, such as:

• Burns – Fires and explosions frequently cause severe burns that may require intensive treatment and extensive rehabilitation. In addition to chronic pain, burns can lead to permanent scarring and loss of mobility.
• Respiratory Damage – Smoke inhalation and exposure to toxic fumes can cause immediate breathing difficulties and create lasting respiratory problems. Many victims require ongoing medical treatment for lung damage.
• Blast Trauma – The force of an explosion can cause broken bones, head injuries, internal organ damage, and other serious physical trauma. These injuries often require emergency surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
• Psychological Effects – Many victims experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological conditions following these traumatic events. The emotional impact can affect both victims and their family members.

Liability and Responsible Parties

Multiple parties may share responsibility for gas and electrical fires and explosions. Our legal team at SMT Legal has the knowledge, skills, and resources to identify all potentially liable parties, including:

• Property Owners and Managers – The parties responsible for the property have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions, address potential hazards, and conduct regular system inspections. Failure to meet these obligations can result in liability for resulting accidents.
• Utility Companies – Gas and electric providers must see to the safe delivery of their services, maintain infrastructure, and respond promptly to reported issues. When they fail to meet these responsibilities, they may be held accountable for resulting accidents.
• Equipment Manufacturers – Companies that design and produce gas appliances, electrical components, and safety equipment must make sure their products work safely. Defective products that contribute to fires or explosions can lead to manufacturer liability.
• Maintenance Companies – Contractors responsible for installing, maintaining, or repairing gas and electrical systems must perform their work correctly. Poor workmanship or failure to identify hazards can create dangerous conditions.
• Construction Companies – When construction work affects gas lines or electrical systems, contractors must follow proper safety protocols. Their failure to do so can result in immediate or future accidents.

Propane and Gas Explosion Claim in Pennsylvania

Gas explosions can cause catastrophic injuries. Just like house fires, gas explosions often start suddenly and engulf a home or property in flames in mere seconds. Here in Pennsylvania and across Pittsburgh, gas explosions can occur due to preventable issues like gas leaks or malfunctioning appliances.

Gas leaks are one of the most common causes of propane and gas explosion cases. Gas is extremely flammable, which means that even a small spark can ignite the gas if it builds up in an area.

Common Sources

Common sources of ignition include appliance units, electronic switches, and light bulbs. Gas leaks can occur when a gas line is old or damaged, when a connection is loose or misaligned, or even when fittings are not sealed correctly. Other explosions may occur when appliances leak gas into the home. Examples include stoves, furnaces, and hot water heaters.

Some explosions are caused by incorrect installation. Gas appliances and pipes must be installed using very specific guidelines. An error in installation or repair that leaves an unsafe condition may not be identified as the issue until someone is injured in an explosion. Mistakes during gas line setup that could have been avoided are a common trigger for explosions, highlighting that these incidents arise from carelessness, not chance.

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Who May Be Liable for a Gas Explosion

Many times, more than one person or company can be liable for causing a propane or gas explosion. In fact, many claims we evaluate involve multiple defendants who each played a role in causing the incident.

The manufacturer of a propane tank or gas appliance may be liable if their product was defective. Furnaces can explode if they have a bad valve, propane tanks can explode if they have poor structure or metal quality, and many other products can unexpectedly malfunction and cause injury.

Landlords and Utilities

Landlords can be liable in explosion cases, particularly if the incident occurs in an apartment or rental property. Landlords have a duty to provide tenants with safe housing, and that includes making sure gas lines are properly installed. It also means inspecting appliances and ventilation systems to see that everything is functioning properly. If a landlord knows about an issue or is notified of a gas smell and fails to take action, they could be liable for injuries that occur.

Repair companies and individual contractors can be liable if their work does not meet safety standards. For example, if a contractor improperly installs a gas line and fails to tighten connections or test for leaks, they could be responsible for a resulting explosion.

Utilities can also be liable if there is an issue with the actual gas line running to your home. Utility companies have a responsibility to maintain their equipment and respond in a reasonable amount of time if you report an issue with your gas service. If it takes your utility company five days to respond to a gas leak report and that delay causes your home to explode, they could be responsible for your injuries.

Gas Explosion Examples

Gas explosions can occur in apartment buildings and rental properties. Oftentimes, multiple parties can be responsible for the explosion. If you notify your landlord that you smell gas in your apartment and they do not take immediate action, they could be liable if that gas leak explodes. If a repair company came to your apartment building to perform a diagnostic check a week before and failed to identify an obvious gas leak, they could be responsible too.

In these situations, more than one apartment may be damaged by a gas explosion. In some cases, tenants in adjacent apartments may also suffer injuries. When multiple parties are responsible for an accident, they can all be named in a legal claim. Each defendant would be responsible for their percentage of fault in causing the gas leak.

Where They Can Occur

Gas explosions can also happen at commercial properties and workplaces. It’s essential for restaurants utilizing gas-powered ranges and ovens to have proper ventilation in place, thereby mitigating the risk of propane and gas leaks leading to explosions. Should a restaurant’s gas line become flooded and consequently damage a stove, leading to a gas leak, we could contend that the builder was negligent in its construction.

Gas explosions can also occur on construction sites. If a company is excavating to build a foundation and hits a gas line, that gas line would need to be repaired. Failure to follow proper protocol during repairs could cause an explosion.

An estimated 15,941 structural fires were reported annually on average between 2018 and 2022, with flammable gas being the initial ignition source. Around 191 fatalities among civilians, 747 public injuries, and $402 million in damage to property are attributed to these fires annually. Every year, there are an estimated 5,166 fires in non-home structures and 10,774 fires in residences.

Establishing Your Claim Following a Gas or Propane Explosion

To prove your claim following a gas or propane explosion, you will need to investigate how the explosion happened and who played a role in causing it. This typically requires gathering maintenance records, inspecting damaged appliances/parts, and consulting various professionals to establish how the events occurred leading up to the explosion.

Cases in Pittsburgh will ultimately be presented in front of a court such as the Allegheny County Courthouse. This is where the investigation and facts will be used to prove that someone did not exercise reasonable care and that their conduct caused your injuries. Medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and many other types of losses can be recovered.

Why Hire a Gas/Electrical Fires and Explosions Lawyer

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of work that needs to be done in a gas explosion case. Given that you’re already dealing with significant injuries or property loss, this situation adds to the burden. When you hire a gas/electrical fires and explosions lawyer, they can help relieve the legal burden for you so you can focus on other things.

Not only can a gas/electrical fires and gas explosions attorney guide you through the legal process, but they can also take control of communications with insurance companies and opposing counsel. They also understand electrical fire laws and can help apply them to your case. You can spend time focusing on you and your family instead of worrying about your case.

How SMT Legal Can Help

When you choose the experienced Pennsylvania lawyers at SMT Legal to handle your gas or electrical fire case, you get a skilled and tenacious team dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve. Our seasoned attorneys understand the complex and traumatic nature of these cases. As such, we work tirelessly to protect your rights and provide the care and support you need during this challenging time.

Our lawyers can help you secure the compensation available in your case through the following means:

• Thorough Investigation – We work with skilled investigators and industry professionals to determine exactly what caused the incident. This includes examining maintenance records, inspection reports, and safety protocols that should have been in place.
• Evidence Collection – Our team works to gather crucial evidence, including physical materials, witness statements, professional testimony, maintenance records, and safety inspection documents.
• Full Compensation Pursuit – We advocate for compensation that covers all aspects of your losses, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, physical pain, emotional suffering, and reduced quality of life.
• Insurance Company Negotiations – Our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. We know their tactics and won’t let them minimize your claim or pressure you into accepting an inadequate settlement.

Steps to Take After an Incident

As surprising as it might be, your actions immediately following a gas or electrical fire or explosion can significantly affect your medical prognosis and your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do to protect yourself and your claim:

• Seek Medical Care – Your health comes first. Get immediate medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor at first. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, but early diagnosis and treatment can give you the greatest chance of avoiding unnecessary complications.
• Document Everything – If it’s safe to do so, photograph the scene. Keep records of all medical treatments, expenses, and any communication with insurance companies or property owners.
• Preserve Evidence – Don’t dispose of damaged items or attempt repairs without documenting the damage. These materials may provide crucial evidence for your case.
• Contact SMT Legal – The sooner you reach out to our team, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and building your case.

Call Us for a Consultation Today

The aftermath of a gas or electrical fire or explosion can feel overwhelming. It can cause you to feel anxious about every aspect of your future. Recovering the compensation you deserve should be a straightforward process, but the red tape can make attaining justice feel like an exercise in frustration. Working with a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney with experience handling these types of cases can be the difference you need.

At SMT Legal, we bring decades of experience and unwavering dedication to every case we handle. Our team of skilled attorneys understands the devastating impact these incidents can have on victims and their families, and we work relentlessly to hold responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one has been affected by a gas or electrical fire or explosion, call our Pittsburgh-based legal team today at (412) 765-3345 for a free consultation