Phippsburg, MEMany people rely on propane to heat their homes and fuel their appliances. Unfortunately, relying on gas such as propane puts people at risk of serious, life-threatening explosions.
If you smell a propane leak, it is vital that you contact the proper authorities and leave the area immediately. That is exactly what a Maine woman did last week when she discovered a propane leak at her home. Her neighborhood was roped off and homes in the nearby area were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The woman said that she could smell the propane leak as soon as she pulled into her driveway so she called the fire department and immediately went to a store across the street. Earlier that day, the woman's 100-gallon propane tank had been filled, but the gas company actually overfilled the tank and a bleed valve malfunctioned leading to the propane leak. No one was injured as a result of this propane leak, but it could have been much worse if the proper authorities had not been called right away.
Sadly, not everyone notices that they are in the vicinity of a propane leak, or they realize it too late. Earlier this week a Kentucky couple suffered serious burns after their house exploded. Investigators believe the explosion was the result of a propane gas buildup under the couple's home. Family members of the couple reported that they recently had their propane tank filled. One of the victims has burns over 40% of her body; both are lucky to be alive.
Last month an Oregon man was severely injured while trying to light the propane stove in the recreational vehicle he was using as his home. The force of the blast sent windows flying approximately 30 feet and resulted in second-degree burns to the man's face.
Also last month, two people were injured and a hotel was damaged after a propane explosion. The explosion occurred while a gas company employee was filling the hotel's underground propane tank. Investigators believe the truck that was used to fill the propane tank had a mechanical problem which caused the explosion. Two people were taken to hospital and treated for their injuries.
If an explosion does occur and it is the result of negligence on the part of a gas company or an entity other than the victim, or if it is the result of equipment malfunction, victims may be eligible for compensation.
Last week, a Colorado Jury awarded over $2.5 million to survivors and families of victims of a propane gas explosion that occurred at a state bank 18 months ago. The explosion killed three people and injured 14. Investigators determined that the propane explosion was the result of a leaking gas main near the building. The lawsuit alleged that Empire Gas ignored reports that there were major leaks in the gas system, failed to carry out mandatory gas-inspection tests, and did not put an odorant into the gas that could potentially have warned people about the leak.
Meanwhile, lawsuits have been filed in Atlanta on behalf of a motel employee who died after a propane explosion at her place of employment. The explosion occurred after the motel's owners hired a gas company to install a liquid propane tank and run gas lines to the motel's appliances.
According to the lawsuit, the motel had been serviced by natural gas, but the natural gas had been cut off because the motel management failed to pay its gas bills. Just before the explosion, someone from the natural gas company returned to the motel to restart the natural gas service. However, a gas line was left open causing gas to leak into the laundry room where it was ignited. The resulting explosion and fire killed the victim.
If you have been the victim of a propane explosion that occurred through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a lawyer to discuss your options.
If you own a propane tank and it has exploded or caused injury, please contact a [Propane Explosions] lawyer who will evaluate your claim at no charge.