A gas explosion can be caused by faulty lines or leaking or ruptured gas pipes and can lead to serious injuries caused by the initial blast or secondary injuries resulting from flying objects or smoke inhalation. The harm caused by an explosion accident is often significant and can lead to brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, and even death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most common type of blast injury is brain trauma. Eye and facial injuries are very common, with up to 10% of blast survivors sustaining an eye injury. Other common types of explosion injuries include:
- Lung injuries
- Ear injury
- Abdominal injury
- Arm, leg, and extremity injuries
If you were injured due to an explosion, you may be entitled to compensation. However, your ability to file a legal claim is limited. Each state has a statute of limitations for filing a natural gas explosion claim. Failure to adhere to the statute often has harsh and devastating consequences. Most people are unsure of their legal rights. It is important to speak with a national explosion accident lawyer right away in order to ensure the integrity of your case.
What is the Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a legal concept that limits the time in which a lawsuit may be brought. The statute of limitations is typically measured from the date that the accident or injury occurred, although in limited cases, such as medical malpractice claims, it may begin when the injury was first discovered.
For purposes of explosion injuries, it is safe to assume that the statute will begin to run on the day that the incident took place. Depending on your state, you may have more or less time than others to file your gas explosion claim. Here’s a look at how the statute of limitations can vary:
- Alabama: 2 years
- Florida: 4 years
- Kentucky: 1 year
- Maine: 6 years
- Missouri: 5 years
- South Carolina: 3 years
In some cases, an explosion accident can fall under federal jurisdiction. The federal court has its own statute of limitations and procedures that must be followed before initiating a case. If you were hurt in a blast, it is important to conduct an experienced national explosion accident attorney right away.
Missing the Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is in place for good reasons. A limitations period prevents a defendant from being sued unfairly many years after an alleged injury took place. Further, the evidence in a case tends to disappear over time. By limiting claims to a certain time period, the law provides some assurance that only claims with “fresh” evidence are brought to the court’s attention.
While having a statute of limitations undoubtedly serves many useful purposes, it can also be harsh. All courts strictly enforce these time limits. This means that any claim which is filed too late will almost certainly be dismissed, leading to the loss of your legal rights. In cases of serious injury or death resulting from an explosion, this is a very unfair result.
The days and weeks following a blast explosion are often chaotic. It is easy to lose track of time, and hiring an attorney may not be your first priority. However, it is important to keep in mind that delay does not usually work in your favor. You could jeopardize or even lose your case simply by waiting. Contacting a national explosion accident lawyer right away is usually the best approach.
Filing a Claim 
The process of filing a claim within the relevant statute of limitations period begins by reaching out to a qualified attorney. Our nationwide explosion attorneys at Burg Simpson will meet with you free of charge. Your attorney will explore all of the facts of your case and begin gathering information on potential liability for the accident.
Following the initial meeting, your attorney may contact potential witnesses, review written information, and begin the process of building your case. At this stage, an insurance adjuster may be involved. If so, negotiations may begin regarding the settlement of your claim. In some instances, the negotiation will be successful. In other cases, the insurance company is not willing to negotiate in good faith or pay valid claims.
While keeping the statute of limitations in mind, an explosion accident lawyer will file a lawsuit with the court if a settlement is not reached. The lawsuit will name all the parties who were potentially responsible for the explosion, including:
- The natural gas company
- Individual employees
- State and municipal regulatory authorities
- Any other third party who may have caused your injuries
If your case does not settle during litigation, you may end up in court in front of a judge or jury. Our nationwide explosion accident attorneys at Burg Simpson have successfully litigated these cases and have recovered more than 2 billion dollars in damages for our injured clients.
Preparation for the trial of a case begins at the early stages. Having an experienced law firm by your side greatly increases your chances of a positive outcome in the end.
Hire a Trusted National Explosion Accident Lawyer
The sad reality is that most explosion accidents will lead to serious injuries and even death. The stakes for injured victims and family members are high. In this scenario, you simply cannot afford to go with an inexperienced law firm. Instead, you need an attorney who has actually handled – and won- explosion cases at the national level.
If you or a loved one have been hurt in an explosion, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. Due to the statute of limitations, your time is restricted. Waiting too long can result in the loss of your claim. Act now before it is too late.
We offer a free consultation and case evaluation for all potential and prospective clients. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there is no financial obligation until you recover compensation. To schedule your time to speak with one of our national explosion injury attorneys, please reach out to us using our online intake form or give us a call at (888) 895-2080.
