Explosions can cause serious harm in a number of different ways. First, an explosion can result in serious personal injuries to those who are affected. Broken bones, head injuries, and even death can occur for those in close proximity to the blast. Additionally, an explosion may result in major property damage to buildings and structures that are affected. One aspect of an explosion that often is overlooked is the potential for harm to the environment and the wildlife contained therein. Cleanup and recovery efforts can take many months or years and, in some cases, irreversible damage can be caused.
Holding negligent parties accountable after an explosion is the first priority for many explosion accident victims. Seeking compensation for damage to the environment is an aspect of many explosion accident litigation cases. When you have been impacted by an explosion, it is important to reach out to a skilled attorney who can help advise you of your legal rights and options. Here at Burg Simpson, we represent victims who have suffered losses in an explosion. If you have questions about your legal rights following a blast, give us a call today to see how we can help.
The Ecological Impact of Explosions 
Throughout history, there are several examples of the serious impact that explosions have on the environment. One of the more notable explosions in recent history was the tragic BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Deepwater Horizon incident took place on April 20, 2010, when an oil tanker exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. The explosion was caused by a leak in the vessel. A total of 11 people aboard the rig were killed and more than 40 were hurt.
While the Deepwater Horizon spill carried a large human cost, the toll that it took on the surrounding environment was extreme. Between 17 and 39 million barrels of oil spilled into the ocean as a direct result of the blast. It is estimated that up to 10,000 marine animals were killed. BP, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig, paid more than $63 in the resulting environmental cleanup effort.
On February 3, 2023 another environmentally-devastating explosive event took place. On that day, a Norfolk Southern train traveling through East Palestine, Ohio derailed. Following the derailment, a massive fire burned for several days, causing chemicals to spill from the train cars. Chemicals from the spill ran off into a nearby stream, resulting in the death of thousands of fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Residents of East Palestine were forced to evacuate their homes due to airborne toxic chemicals and the fear of contaminated drinking water. Citizens were displaced from their homes for an extended period of time and many have still not returned. There have also been reports of physical sickness and symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and rashes. Lawsuits have now been filed against Norfolk Southern seeking compensation in connection with the damage. The current environmental cost of this explosion has yet to be fully calculated.
Seeking Restitution for Ecological Harm
Explosion victims often have questions about the various legal options at their disposal following an explosion. When explosions result in ecological harm, there may be many victims. These victims can have similar complaints and may have also suffered similar harm, such as exposure to toxic chemicals and displacement from their homes and workplaces due to the release of these chemicals.
The answer for victims of ecological harm often lies in the form of a class action lawsuit. Legally speaking, class actions are brought by a representative “class” of victims. The representative class will file a case on behalf of the similarly situated victims who have suffered common harm. The class action lawsuit proceeds forward with the representative class suing on behalf of all of the victims.
Class action lawsuits have the advantage of being efficient. When a class action lawsuit is filed, it is actually a collection of multiple cases that could be filed individually on their own. However, having several individual cases comes with many downsides, including cost, and risk of inconsistent or varying outcomes among the cases. A class action lawsuit allows victims to pool their cases into a single case and allows for these victims to receive restitution without the risks associated with filing their own individual claims.
A class action lawsuit is complex. Class action litigation has special rules for certification of the class and there are certain procedures that must be followed in order to effectively handle a class action lawsuit. It is vital for victims seeking class action relief to speak with an attorney who has experience handling these types of lawsuits on behalf of numerous individuals.
Recovering Damages for Environmental Harm
Victims who have experienced ecological harm may be able to seek recovery for damages. In some cases, the harm is purely ecological. However, ecological harm can also lead to other types of damage as a result of the contaminated environment. Some issues that may be experienced from environmental harm are:
- Illnesses, including respiratory ailments and asthma
- Chronic and long-term illnesses such as cancer
- Property loss of use
- Income loss
The first step in ecological damage cases is to determine the extent of your losses. Placing the proper value on these claims is something that should only be done by a skilled explosion accident lawyer. Before you speak with an insurance company or other third party about your case, it is important to contact an experienced nationwide explosion accident attorney right away.
National Explosion Accident Lawyers
Here at Burg Simpson, we are aware of the many types of harm that can follow a major explosion. The impact on the environment and its ecosystems is one of the often overlooked but major costs of an explosion.
Our team of skilled and experienced lawyers can help during your time of need. We will fight to recover the compensation that you deserve. We provide free consultations for all potential and prospective clients and there is no fee until we obtain a recovery on your behalf. To schedule your time to speak with one of our national explosion accident attorneys, please reach out to us using our online intake form or give us a call at 866-696-1750.
