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You’ve likely noticed that gases are usually transported in very secure containers. Whether it’s the propane tank for your grill or the pipes in your home that feed your stove or heaters, there is always a strong barrier between the gas and the rest of the room. This is because gases are not hazardous as long as they are safely contained, whether in a tank or some type of pipeline. It is when they are released, when they leak, that they become dangerous.
But gas explosions are not the only danger posed by a gas leak. Even before they are ignited, gases can be incredibly hazardous to our health if not outright deadly.
Read more about gas explosion lawsuits here.
The inhalation of noxious gases, many of which are found in our home, can cause severe injuries. Some of these include:
The above-listed health repercussions occur when a person remains in a closed environment with a high concentration of hazardous gases for an extended period of time. You have to breathe them in for more than just a couple of seconds for your health to be affected.
For instance, if you accidentally leave the valve on your gas stove open for a couple of seconds, you are unlikely to suffer any health issues. However, if the valve on your stove is defective and it leads to a gas leak that fills your entire home with natural gas while you sleep, you will likely face some serious health effects.
This is without considering the fact that even the smallest spark could ignite the gas and cause a massive explosion. That’s when a gas leak can become a catastrophe – when it meets even the smallest spark.
The types of injuries from gas explosions are categorized in a very similar fashion as to those produced by bomb blasts. This is because, in essence, they are very much the same.
The CDC utilizes the following system for categorizing them.
Primary gas injuries are those caused by what is known as the blast wave. The blast wave is a very high-pressure wave of air that expands away from the explosion.
Powerful blast waves from gas explosions can lead to lung injuries, ear injuries, eye injuries, digestive system injuries, and even concussions.
This category includes injuries caused by debris which is flung at extremely high speeds by the explosion. In a home, a gas leak that leads to an explosion can turn anything into deadly flying projectiles including furniture, cutlery, decorations, and more.
This class of injury results from victims being physically thrown by the explosion. Any part of the body can be affected. It is even possible for individuals to become impaled when they land on sharp objects. Bone fractures also commonly result from being flung by a powerful explosion.
This last category encompasses gas injuries, illnesses, or diseases that are not caused by the forces in any of the other categories. This can include pulmonary damage, burns, crushing injuries, closed/open brain injuries, asthma, COPD, angina, hyperglycemia, and hypertension (high blood pressure), among many others.
The danger posed by gas explosions to anyone may be close by when they take place is quite clear. So, what options exist for the victims of these tragedies? It’s critical to note that gas explosions likely do not occur every day in the United States. This is because some very strict guidelines and health standards have been established to prevent them from taking place.
Gas pipelines have to be laid in a very particular fashion. Construction digging must be done with special approval to ensure no gas pipes are broken in the process. Appliances that use gas must also be manufactured in a specific way so as to prevent undesired leaks. And most important of all, nearly all of the aforementioned possess failsafe so that if one mistake is made, a gas explosion still remains unlikely.
All of this is meant to highlight the fact that, when gas explosions do take place, it is very likely that someone was negligent at one point or another. Such carelessness is absolutely unacceptable when the consequences involve permanent disability and the death of innocent individuals.
Gas explosion lawyers help these victims find the liable parties and hold them accountable for their recklessness. They also help victims to fight for the compensation that helps them pay for any damages they may have suffered.
A gas explosion lawsuit can provide victims with a financial award that covers the following:
The best way of learning about how much compensation you may be entitled to after a gas explosion is to consult a legal defendant. Banville Law offers free legal consultations to victims of gas explosions.
We’ll analyze the facts of your case and explain the legal options at your disposal. You’ll also have the chance to ask any questions you may have at no cost and with no obligation. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to speak with one of our experienced team members.
See our next article on accident reports here: https://banvillelaw.com/new-york-state-accident-report-december-18/
