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Request A Call HereAfter a construction accident, especially one that involves severe injuries, workers face significant medical expenses and time off of work. Common questions that arise are:
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a gas explosion, you've come to the right place. Our experienced New York gas explosion lawyers are ready to answer any questions you have. Contact our legal team today to schedule your case evaluation at no cost to you.
Compressed gas cylinders, or “bottles,” are commonly cited as one of the most dangerous tools necessary in the construction industry. Beyond being highly-pressurized, cylinders are often filled with gases that are flammable and poisonous. By following effective safety protocols, like those instituted by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration and the State of New York, workers and construction companies can protect their own lives and the lives of those around them.
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But mistakes happen, and mistakes involving pressurized gases are often devastating. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that approximately 20 deaths and 6,000 injuries are caused by compressed gas accidents every year.
Gas explosions of any kind can be devastating for everyone involved, which is why anyone working with gas must use extreme care. The aftermath of an explosion will most likely include massage physical damage to property as well as possible fatalities or severe injuries. One gas explosion in the Bronx, which was attributed to “carelessness” when a gas line was ruptured, left 25 people injured and 2 missing.
Unfortunately, New York’s Workers Compensation Board, which was established to assist you in your time of need, fails construction workers on a regular basis. Many insurance companies attempt to severely limit the amount of compensation that accident victims receive, and may even try to “disprove” your injuries outright. Remember that Workers Comp is a business, like any other.
You don’t deserve a cold shoulder; you didn’t work your entire life to pad someone else’s bottom line. You deserve thorough legal counsel, because you may have a case. Compressed gas cylinders are so dangerous that they are highly regulated within the construction industry. If someone else’s negligence puts you in the hospital, consult an experienced New York City construction accident lawyer today. Although no amount of money can fully bring back what you’ve lost, your hospital bills can be paid. Your lost wages can be recovered. You can enter the next stage of your life with peace of mind.
Most compressed gas cylinders that appear on New York City’s construction sites contain either acetylene or propane. Acetylene, a colorless and extremely flammable gas, must be stored at high pressures to power the welding, cutting, brazing, and soldering of metal. Compressed cylinders of propane are often stored in large quantities on worksites to fuel forklifts.
Both gases are dangerous on their own. But gas cylinders are considered particularly deadly in part because they can cause so many different types of construction accidents. Although most of us think first of devastating explosions, compressed gas can also cause:
When their pressure is suddenly released, compressed gas cylinders can go flying. Many New York construction workers sustain blunt force trauma injuries when they are hit by cylinders.
Gas cylinders must be tested for safety numerous times during their lifespan. Manufacturers are legally bound to inspect each cylinder that leaves their facility and must hire independent testing agencies to perform studies as well. Your employer is also required to test cylinders for faults in design and construction upon receipt.
The storage of compressed gas cylinders is also highly regulated. Multiple bottles must be chained to walls to prevent breakage. Cylinders should be stored in the shade to prevent them from overheating. And workers must be properly trained in the use and handling of gas bottles.
The gas explosion lawyers at Banville Law have helped numerous workers recover from devastating gas cylinder explosion accidents. Our decades of experience allow us valuable insight and thorough knowledge of New York’s construction regulations. We are committed solely to the well-being of our clients, whether that means fighting insurance companies or providing expert representation in NYC’s courts.
While not as common as gas explosion accidents, Construction Accidents Involving Electrocution can be fatal or life-altering. Read more here.