Louisville Explosion Accident Attorney

When an incident occurs that leads to an explosion, it can leave behind catastrophic injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. These explosions could happen in several settings, from industrial workplaces and construction sites to residential properties. Often, these accidents don’t happen; they result from negligent or reckless behavior on behalf of another person or entity.

If this is the case for you, legal options are available.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an explosion accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Our Louisville explosion accident lawyer is ready to help victims of these tragic events seek justice and secure the financial compensation they deserve.

We are ready to handle these devastating cases at Thomas Law Office. Schedule a time to speak to our legal team.

How Do Explosions Happen?

One of the most unsettling parts of these accidents is that they can happen anytime. Often, these explosions can be caused by a variety of factors. Sometimes, it can stem from negligence or failure to follow safety protocols. The most common causes include:

• Gas leaks: Natural gas or propane leaks in homes, businesses, or industrial facilities can result in explosions when not properly detected or repaired. In 2019, one incident occurred in central Kentucky and was the result of faulty equipment. This gas line explosion led to one death, six injured persons, and over 75 residents needed to be evacuated.
• Defective products: Faulty equipment, appliances, or machinery, such as boilers or electrical systems, can malfunction and cause explosions.
• Workplace accidents: Oil refineries, factories, or construction sites are high-risk areas for explosions due to handling hazardous materials or chemicals.
• Improper storage of flammable materials: Explosions can result from the mishandling or improper storage of dangerous substances, such as chemicals or gasoline.
• Negligence in safety protocols: A failure to follow industry-standard safety regulations, especially in the construction or manufacturing areas, can increase the risk of an explosion.

While sometimes, these can be accidental occurrences, other times, someone’s negligence leads to the incident. In these cases, you may be able to seek damages from those responsible parties. Contact our legal team to learn more about your options.

Explosions Result in Life-Changing Injuries

When someone is involved in an explosion, they probably have suffered some type of life-threatening injury. Many of them will require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. After a blast, victims often experience:

• Severe burns: Burn injuries can result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, and the need for extensive treatment, such as skin grafts and surgeries.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Explosions can cause head injuries from flying debris or being thrown by the blast force. Many times, that can lead to cognitive impairment or neurological damage.
• Hearing loss: The intense sound waves produced by an explosion can cause immediate and irreversible damage to a person’s hearing.
• Lung damage: The pressure from an explosion, combined with inhaling toxic fumes or smoke, can cause serious lung injuries.
• Loss of limbs: Explosions can lead to amputation injuries if the blast severely damages the victim’s limbs.

In any of these cases, the injuries can lead to substantial medical expenses, loss of income, and a diminished quality of life for victims and their families. You have the right to hold those accountable for their negligent actions.

Negligence and Liability in Explosion Accidents

Unfortunately, determining liability in these cases can be difficult. Often, these incidents will need to be investigated to uncover the negligent party. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Property owners
• Employers
• Manufacturers of defective products
• Utility companies
• Contractors or subcontractors

In Kentucky, proving negligence in an explosion accident case requires you to establish several key elements. To hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries and damages, you must demonstrate that their actions or inactions directly contributed to the explosion, which is key to showing negligence on their behalf:

• Duty of care: The first step in a negligence case is proving that the at-fault party was legally obligated to ensure your safety. In an explosion accident, this could mean ensuring that gas lines are properly installed, safety protocols are followed on construction sites, or defective equipment is not used.
• Breach of duty: Once the duty of care is established, you must prove that the responsible party breached this duty. For instance, if a utility company failed to inspect or maintain gas lines or if a contractor ignored essential safety guidelines, they could be found in breach of their duty to protect others from harm.
• Causation: After establishing a breach, you must show that the negligent actions directly caused the explosion and your resulting injuries. In these cases, causation could be traced to a gas leak caused by improper maintenance, a defective product that malfunctioned, or improper storage of hazardous materials.
• Damages: Finally, you must demonstrate that the explosion caused actual harm, whether physical, emotional, or financial. This can include injuries, property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

An experienced Louisville explosion accident lawyer can help to prove negligence in these complex cases. By examining accident reports, reviewing safety records, and reconstructing the incident with the help of specialists, you can determine the liable parties and hold them responsible for their actions.

Compensation for Explosion Victims and Their Family

If you have been injured in an explosion accident, you could be entitled to compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial toll the accident has taken on your life. Some types of compensation that you may be able to recover include:

• Medical expenses: Compensation for surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
• Lost wages: Recovery for income lost due to time off work and potential future lost earning capacity if the injuries affect your ability to work long-term.
• Pain and suffering: Damages for the emotional and physical pain endured as a result of the explosion.
• Disability or disfigurement: Compensation for permanent disabilities, scarring, or disfigurement resulting from the injuries.
• Property damage: Coverage for personal property destroyed in the explosion, such as your home, vehicle, or personal belongings.
• Wrongful death: In cases where the incident led to a loved one’s death, surviving family members can pursue a lawsuit.

In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the negligent party’s actions were reckless or egregious. However, this compensation is awarded on a rare basis. An experienced Louisville explosion accident attorney will assess the full scope of your damages and fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact a Louisville Explosion Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an explosion accident in Louisville, you will want to reach out to an experienced team to assist with your potential legal claim. Recovering from these injuries takes time and patience, and the last thing on your mind is taking on a lawsuit. At Thomas Law Offices, we are here to help with the process.

Now is the time to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Louisville explosion accident lawyer. We are here to provide support to get the justice and compensation you deserve.