Filing a Claim – Propane Accident
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Propane is used for many things- from lanterns to water heaters to barbecue grills to vehicles. There are approximately 17.5 million propane installations in the United States. Explosions occur when propane is exposed to heat, sparks or other flammable substances. According to statistics, fire fighters respond to propane accidents once per day on average. In 2006, there were 317 propane incidents recorded. More statistics include:
- Propane explosions are blamed for more than 6,000 accidental fires in the United States annually
- Twenty deaths are annually attributed to improper use of barbecue grill (see wrongful death)- in the last few years fire departments have responded to nearly eight thousand fires that were caused by grills
- While four times the number of people use natural gas over propane, propane causes four times the number of fires
- Propane causes more than 100 times the fatalities of natural gas
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 7 million Americans use propane as their primary heating fuel, but 14 million Americans have propane delivered to their homes for “some fuel usage purpose”
Signs of Negligence
Statistics say that more than 14 million residential customers use propane and more than one million commercial customers use propane. Causes of explosion can range anywhere from defective valves to leaking tanks to improper installations. Injuries can include: first, second and third degree burns, loss of limbs, adverse health conditions as a result of exposure to toxic gas, various traumatic injuries, lacerations, spinal cord and brain injuries. Manufacturers and installers can be held liable if any of the following occurred and caused your injuries:
- Unsafe handling of gas
- Defective product
- A building code or safety code violation
- Unlabeled or insufficient labeling
- Failure to odorize propane, in accordance with the law
- Lack of proper training
- Failure to enforce industry safety standards
- Poorly maintained equipment used to transmit or store propane
At other times, propane accidents can merely cause property damage and not injuries- in this case, companies and careless individuals alike can still be held liable. If you have been injured in a propane accident that occurred because of another person or company’s carelessness, you should fight for damages, in order to receive compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages and pain and suffering. Settlements for propane-accident related injuries have led to some of the largest recoveries for survivors across the nation.
Why Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney is Important
It is important to hire a personal injury attorney on your side, as he/she will be more familiar with industry customs, state regulations, can investigate the design and operation of the propane system that exploded, will have professional connections within the field and will also understand fire dynamics. Whether you or a loved one sustained injuries or property damage following a barbeque grill explosion, home heating explosion or an industrial accident, Zinda Law Group is prepared to help you with any of the details surrounding your case.
We can help you find out such things as- did your gas grill have insufficient ventilation? Did the propane tank have a defective valve or loose valve, or was the tank itself defective? Because you only have two years in which to file a personal injury claim in Texas, you should act swiftly to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
We know that right now is probably an overwhelming, stressful and painful- if you are still recovering- time for you and we are here to help alleviate some of these factors. With over 10 years of experience, glowing customer testimonials and awards such as being named Texas SuperLawyers®, Zinda Law Group is a firm you can trust that will smoothly and confidently navigate you through the choppy waters ahead. What are you waiting for? Give us a call today!
