Storage Tank Explosion Claims Lawyer

You deserve justice if you were injured in a storage tank explosion due to someone else’s negligence. Let the personal injury lawyers at Burg Simpson help you get the compensation you need for your recovery. Contact us now for a free consultation.

Storage tank blow ups can wreak havoc on the lives of those affected. These life-shattering events often result in severe injuries, extensive property destruction, and the tragic loss of life. When these heartbreaking incidents happen, victims and their families find themselves overcome with emotional and physical distress.

The force of storage container explosions can cause various injuries, such as third-degree burns, lacerations, permanent disfigurement, and even wrongful deaths. These types of explosions can leave families homeless, or strip business owners of their livelihood. These events can also stir up intense emotions of grief, anxiety, frustration, and anger.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a tank container explosion, take action now to seek justice and compensation for your losses. At Burg Simpson, our skilled personal injury lawyers are here to help you navigate this new chapter in your life. Together, we can hold those accountable for the explosion. Call us today at 888-895-2080.

What Is an Oil Storage Tank Used For?

An oil tank is a container that stores huge amounts of crude oil or refined petroleum products. Oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and distribution centers typically store and manage inventory using these tanks.

How Can Oil Storage Tanks Explode?

Oil storage tanks do unfortunately explode under certain circumstances. Although oil tanks are designed to handle intense pressures and temperatures, explosions can still sometimes occur for various reasons. The main culprits include leaks, equipment failure, or human mistakes. When combustible vapors or liquids get ignited, devastating explosions can ensue.

How Often Do Oil Tank Explosions Occur?

Contrary to popular belief, oil tank combustions don't happen often. When accidents do happen, grave results usually follow. According to a report by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, between 1983 and 2010, 26 oil and gas facilities reported 44 deaths and 247 injuries affecting the public.

What are the Causes of Oil Storage Tank Fires?

Oil tank fires can occur due to various reasons, including:

• Mechanical malfunction or failure, such as defective valves, pumps, or gauges
• Human slip-ups, such as improper maintenance or operation of storage tanks
• Lightning strikes or static electricity discharge
• Sabotage or terrorist attacks
• Weather-related disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes

What Causes Oil Tank Explosions?

Oil tank blasts can result from a combination of factors, such as:

• Combustible vapors or liquids coming into contact with an ignition source, such as sparks, flames, or hot surfaces
• Overpressure within the tank due to excessive heat or chemical reactions.
• Rapid release of large volumes of combustible vapors, leading to a vapor cloud explosion (VCE)
• Compromised tank integrity due to corrosion, damage, or poor maintenance practices, leading to leaks and subsequent ignition of flammable substances

What Are Tank Batteries?

Oil and gas production sites often rely on interconnected storage tanks, called tank batteries, to store and process the extracted resources. These tank batteries play a critical role in managing the flow of crude oil, natural gas, and other liquids between different stages of production.

Ensuring the safety and proper maintenance of these facilities, called tank batteries, is crucial to prevent accidents, protect the environment, and ensure the efficient operation of the oil and gas industry.

What Role Does a Tank Battery Play in Explosions?

Improper maintenance, operation, or handling of volatile materials in a tank battery can cause fires or explosions. To minimize explosion risks, proper maintenance, inspection, monitoring, and adherence to industry regulations and safety standards are crucial for worker and community safety.

What Types of Injuries Result From Oil Storage Tank Explosions?

Oil tank eruptions can lead to catastrophic injuries, including:

Thermal Burns: Burns are the most common injury associated with oil tank blowups, as the intense heat and flames can cause severe tissue damage.

Blast Injuries: Similar to propane gas explosions, oil storage vessel explosions can cause injuries resulting from the blast force, such as fractures, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries.

Chemical Exposure: Exposure to hazardous chemicals released during oil storage container explosions can lead to skin irritation, burns, or long-term health issues, such as respiratory or neurological disorders.

What Steps to Take After a Propane or Oil Explosion

Immediately after a propane or other tank explosion, follow these steps:

1. Evacuate the area to ensure your safety and that of others.
2. Call emergency services (911) to report the incident and request medical assistance.
3. Notify your propane supplier.
4. Document the scene with photos and notes.
5. Visit a healthcare provider for any injuries sustained.
6. Contact a storage tank explosion attorney to discuss your case and map out your or legal options.

What Are Some Safety Tips for Using Propane?

To reduce the risk of a propane explosion, follow these safety tips:

• Inspect propane tanks, lines, and appliances on a regular basis.
• Install propane detectors in your home or business.
• Educate yourself and others on the smell of propane gas.
• Store propane tanks in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources.

How Can You Use an Oil Storage Tank Safely?

The American Petroleum Institute establishes safety standards for the oil and natural gas industry. A few preventive measures to take when using fuel storage containers include:

• Schedule routine inspections and maintenance.
• Keep the area around the tank clear of debris and flammable materials.
• Install secondary containment systems to catch leaks.
• Monitor for signs of corrosion or leaks.

Should I Speak With an Insurance Company or Sign Any Documents After a Storage Vessel Explosion?

The sad reality is that an insurance company doesn't have your best interest at heart. The insurer's top priority is lowering claim payouts while increasing profits.

So, it's best to consult with an oil or propane tank explosion attorney who negotiates with the insurance provider on your behalf to ensure you recover the maximum compensation. Do not sign anything or speak to anyone on the defense side of the matter until you have secured legal representation. Let them speak on your behalf to negotiate the best possible outcome for your case.

How Can Negligence Cause an Oil or Propane Tank Explosion?

Negligence can play a significant role in causing oil or propane explosions. A few examples of negligence include:

• Poor maintenance: Storage containers require regular inspections and maintenance to prevent leaks, corrosion, and structural weaknesses. Neglecting maintenance practices can lead to undetected issues that could result in catastrophic failure.
• Improper safety measures: Storage vessels must adhere to strict safety regulations and guidelines, including proper ventilation, pressure relief systems, and emergency shutdown procedures. Failure to implement or maintain these safety measures increases the risk of an explosion.
• Operator error: Mistakes made by owners or personnel include filling tanks beyond capacity, mishandling flammable materials, or using incompatible materials in the tank.
• Faulty design and construction: Substandard design or construction of storage containers can result in structural weaknesses, making them susceptible to leaks and explosions.

Who Can Be Held Accountable for an Oil or Gas Storage Tank Explosion Injury?

Several parties can be accountable in a tank eruption injury suit, including:

• Storage container owners and operators: These individuals are responsible for maintaining a safe environment and adhering to industry regulations.
• Manufacturers and suppliers: The manufacturers and suppliers may be liable if defective parts or materials contributed to the explosion.
• Contractors and subcontractors: If improper design, construction, or maintenance is a contributing factor, the contractors and subcontractors responsible for the work can be held accountable.

Is There a Limited Time Window for Investigating a Storage Tank Explosion?

A tank blast investigation is time-sensitive for several reasons:

• Evidence collection: Physical evidence, such as debris or damaged equipment, helps pinpoint the cause of the fire or explosion. Protecting the evidence soon after the incident prevents tampering and deterioration.
• Witness accounts: Witnesses' memories can fade over time, so obtaining their statements soon after the accident can help gather accurate information.
• Legal deadlines: There may be statutes of limitations in place, which restrict the timeframe within which a victim can take legal action. The sooner you initiate an investigation, the sooner you can file your claim.

Should I Sign Settlement Releases or Authorizations After an Oil or Propane Explosion?

Once you sign a settlement release, you forfeit your right to pursue legal action against the negligent party. You may not receive the full compensation to cover your injuries' short and long term costs. It's best to have a personal injury review the terms of the agreement and negotiate the best possible payout. Do not sign anything.

Can You File a Storage Container Explosion Lawsuit if You Were Not Injured?

You can only expect to win a lawsuit if you have suffered injuries, property damage, or the loss of a loved one due to an oil or propane tank blowup. A knowledgeable attorney can help you recover damages from the at-fault parties. If there are no damages sustained from the accident, there is nothing to recover and thus no point in filing a lawsuit.

What Four Elements Must You Prove in a Storage Explosion Lawsuit?

To succeed in a lawsuit, you must prove duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

1. Duty of care refers to the legal obligation one party has to act responsibly and reasonably to avoid causing harm to others. In the context of an oil or propane explosion, entities involved in the storage tank's design, build, installation, or maintenance may have a duty of care to ensure the tank's safety.
2. A breach of duty occurs when a party fails to fulfill its duty of care by being reckless. An act of negligence could involve a fuel tank manufacturer using substandard materials, leading to a higher risk of explosion.
3. Causation refers to the direct link between the breach of duty and the harm suffered by the victim. To prove causation in an oil or gas tank blast lawsuit, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant's negligence directly caused the explosion and the resulting injuries or damages.
4. Damages are the monetary award given to the plaintiff in a lawsuit to cover the losses resulting from the defendant's negligence. In an oil or gas container explosion case, damages may include medical bills, income loss, pain and suffering, property damage, and other related losses.

How Much Is an Oil or Gas Explosion Case Worth?

The value of each case varies depending on the severity of injuries, property damage, whether you’ve lost wages or your overall earning capacity, and many other factors. An attorney can help evaluate your case and estimate potential compensation.

How Can an Attorney Help Me Get Money for Tank Blast Burns and Other Injuries?

An attorney can ensure an investigation starts immediately, provide guidance on your legal rights, prepare a strong case before the statute of limitation expires, and secure the best settlement from the insurance company.

When Should I Talk to a Lawyer?

You should consult an attorney right after the incident so they can gather evidence, identify the negligent party, and build a winnable case for recovering financial compensation for your injuries. The sooner you seek legal representation, the better, because evidence can fade with time.

Why Do I Need a Fuel Tank Explosion Lawyer?

A skilled attorney can guide you through the complicated legal system, communicate with insurance companies, and secure the highest possible compensation for your losses. They have all of the knowledge and experience needed to navigate the complex world of personal injury and storage tank explosion claims. If the defendant’s insurance company knows you are not represented by a suitable lawyer, they will intentionally refuse to offer you anything but an insultingly low settlement.

What Should I Look For in a Law Firm That Handles Tank Explosions?

Choose a law firm with experience handling fuel storage explosion cases, a success record for winning those cases, ample resources to manage your case effectively, positive reviews and testimonials, regular case updates, and a "no win, no fee" payment structure.

Justice for Victims of Storage Tank Explosions: How Burg Simpson Can Help You

If you or a loved one has experienced severe injuries in a storage tank combustion, you may struggle to cope with the incident's physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

It's not fair that you or your loved one should suffer due to the negligence of another party. You deserve justice and compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and medical expenses.

Call Burg Simpson Law Firm today at 888-895-2080 to discuss your storage tank claim with one of our experienced attorneys.

By working with our team of legal professionals, you can:

• Receive the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
• Hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
• Focus on your recovery and leave the legal work to us.