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Texas is rich in natural gas, containing roughly a quarter of the country’s reserves. Whether used on a residential or industrial scale, natural gas is a vital resource that powers heating systems, generates electricity, and plays an important role in fuel production. However, when gas pipelines are poorly maintained, a massive explosion can occur with little warning, leading to widespread property destruction, serious injuries, and even loss of life.
If you or one of your family members was injured by a gas pipeline explosion or gas leak, the Dallas, Texas gas explosion injury lawyers of Queenan Law may be able to help you get compensated. With more than 20 years of experience representing injured workers in the natural gas industry, as well as the surviving spouses and loved ones of wrongful death victims, the caring attorneys at Queenan Law are knowledgeable, efficient, and aggressive advocates for justice.
Dallas Area Gas Explosion Statistics
A natural gas explosion can shatter a community in the blink of an eye, tearing down homes and businesses and devastating the lives of local residents, workers, and their loved ones. While technological improvements have made the industry safer over the years, leaks and explosions still occur – often due to failures and violations that can be traced back to human errors.
In 2013, the entire town of Milford, Texas had to be evacuated when a Chevron pipeline containing liquefied petroleum gas exploded, causing a raging fire that was visible for miles. Miraculously, no one was injured. However, in many cases, the outcome is far worse.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which “has collected pipeline incident reports since 1970,” reported 715 incidents in 2015, causing 12 deaths and nearly 50 injuries. In Houston alone, more than 100 serious gas leaks were reported during the time period from 1984 to 2014, making Houston the number one most dangerous city for gas leaks in the United States.
In fact, as recently as March 2016, the PHMSA issued a press release proposing new safety guidelines for natural gas pipelines. As U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx was quoted stating in the press release, “The significant growth in the nation’s production, usage and commercialization of natural gas is placing unprecedented demands on the nation’s pipeline system.” These demands pressure gas companies to work faster and supply more – which means safety measures aren’t always implemented as vigorously as they should be.
Types of Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion Injuries in Dallas
Whether an explosion occurs abruptly, or a gas leak is slow and silent before building to disaster, the physical and emotional repercussions for the victims are life-altering. Gas-related accidents often lead to painful, debilitating injuries that are costly to treat and difficult to recover from. Examples of personal injury claims handled by our Dallas natural gas accident attorneys include:
- Abdominal Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Blast Injuries
- Bleeding and Hemorrhaging
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Bone Fractures
- Burn Injuries
- Crush Injuries
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Facial Injuries
- Hearing Loss
- Limb Amputation
- Organ Damage
- Paralysis
- Pulmonary Contusion (Lung Bruising)
- Puncture Wounds
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Wrongful Death
Getting Compensation for Injuries + Death Caused by Gas Explosions
When carelessness leads to a preventable gas leak or gas explosion in Texas, the party or parties at fault must be held accountable – not only so that the victims know that justice was done, but also in the interest of preventing a similar accident from harming others in the future. The Dallas gas explosion attorneys of Queenan Law are not afraid to challenge powerful corporations on behalf of accident victims in the fight for accountability and financial compensation, which may be available for costs and losses including but not limited to:
- Current medical bills and anticipated medical expenses
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost income
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Unfortunately, there are many issues that can cause gas leaks or explosions. Most of these issues develop due to one or more human errors that occurred at some point during the process of designing, installing, or maintaining the pipeline. Some potential causes of a gas explosion or leak include:
- Failure to report and repair known defects
- Faulty or defective equipment, such as a defective valve or flange
- Over-pressurization, which can cause the pipe to rupture
- Ruptures caused by fracking-related earthquakes
- Rust or erosion causing physical damage to the pipeline
- Violations of safety regulations
Dallas, TX Gas Pipeline Explosion Accident Attorney Representing Workers and Injury Victims
Greater and greater demands are placed on our nation’s aging gas infrastructure every year, especially in Texas, where, to provide just a few examples, Dallas, Texas natural gas suppliers include Atmos Energy, Aurora Natural Gas, and Caiman Energy. According to the Railroad Commission of Texas, the state’s top 10 largest gas producers in 2015 were XTO Energy, Devon Energy, Chesapeake Energy, Anadarko, EOG Resources, Inc., EnerVest, Lewis Energy Group, SM Energy Company, Pioneer Natural Resources, and Hilcorp Energy Company.
Unfortunately, natural gas companies may not always follow safety regulations strictly, which can lead to preventable leaks and explosions. Even in a scenario where everyone is safely evacuated, gas fires and explosions can still cause devastating property destruction, wiping out years of savings. In a worst-case scenario, someone can be injured or tragically killed.
If you were injured in a gas explosion in Dallas, compensation may be available for your losses. To discuss your gas accident claim in a free consultation, call Queenan Law at (817) 476-1797 today.