Explosions in the Workplace

Explosions in the Workplace

Many businesses, including agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, pipelines, and manufacturing, handle materials that have explosive potential if safety precautions and standards are not followed closely. Workplace explosions and consequential injuries are almost always a result of carelessness, negligence, or cutting corners to save money.


Call us at (800) 264-3455 to learn how our Columbia personal injury lawyers can help.

Causes of Explosions

Explosions can occur from many sources, but common causes are gas, oil, natural gas, propane gas, butane, pressurized containers or pipes, grain dust or other fine materials, electrical arc flash, other flammable gases, and chemicals.


Common causes of explosions include:


  • Violations of OSHA regulations
  • Violations of industry safety standards
  • Failure of equipment
  • Poor maintenance
  • Failure to odorize a gas
  • Improper grounding of electrical sources
  • Improper ventilation


Liability for the explosion may be the responsibility of more than one person or business. It is important in explosion cases to do a thorough investigation of the causes of the incident. In most cases experts are necessary to help gather and reconstruct the event so the cause can be determined.



Liability for causing the explosion and resulting injuries or death may include:


  • A utility or gas company
  • Installers or maintenance companies
  • The sellers of the product
  • Manufactures of the product
  • Distributors of the product
  • Contractors or sub-contractors
  • Supervisors or co-workers

Tell Us What Happened

It is important to consult with a law firm with experience in pursuing workplace injury claims. Most injured workers will have a worker’s compensation claim, unless the employer is exempt or in violation of the worker’s compensation laws. However, worker’s compensation is not the only source of recovery you may have. It is critical to not just pursue the workers compensation case, but to investigate the liability of third parties who may have caused or contributed to causing you or a loved one’s injuries. Our law firm has experience with helping injured workers pursue third parties and recovery for the injuries they have suffered at work.

A Unique Approach to Seeking Justice in Columbia

Our firm conducts a thorough investigation and review of your claims to optimize your chances of recovery. If we are hired soon after the explosion we will be able to conduct an inspection of the site before the evidence is removed or destroyed. If we are hired after the evidence is moved we will work with the product of the investigations that took place and examine any evidence that was retained.



We will look at all the possible causes of the explosions, and interview all the relevant witnesses, such as fire fighters, first responders, witnesses, government officials, law enforcement, and property owners. We will also gather necessary medical records, speak to medical professionals, and review autopsy reports to determine the nature, cause and extent of the injuries or death. We will also gather all government reports including reports from the fire marshal, OSHA, and state and local offices.

Our Columbia Injury Firm Can Help

Explosion cases often involve catastrophic injury, including serious burns, broken bones, severed limbs, brain damage, and loss of life. In addition to physical, mental, and emotional injuries the loss often includes loss of income and ability to work in the future.

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FAQ: Explosions & Gas Fires

  • Explosions & Gas Fires

    Gas includes gasoline, propane gas, and/or natural gases. These types of gases are commonly used in everyday life.


    Gasoline is used for multiple things including:


    • Automobiles
    • Motor boats
    • Lawn mowers
    • Scooters

    Propane gas is also used daily for the following:


    • Barbeques
    • Emergency generators
    • Pool heaters
    • Clothes dryers

    Natural gas is commonly found in homes because it fuels many household appliances such as:


    • Stoves
    • Heaters
    • Fireplaces
    • Clothes dryers

    Gasoline, propane gas, and natural gas are fairly safe when used appropriately, but could cause serious injury even death if not used correctly.

  • Causes

    Here are a few of the most common causes of explosions and gas fires:


    • Improper handling – gas fires and explosions are most commonly caused by people who do properly handle gases.
    • Failures to follow safety codes – manufacturers and U.S. government agencies have safety guidelines for the use of gases. There are increased risks to those who do not abide by those guidelines.
    • Defective products – manufacturers test their products before offering them to the public to insure that there are no defects, yet some products may still have a defect that is not immediately detected which could lead to a gas fire or explosion. Propane barbecues seem to be the most common recall.

  • Types

    Gasoline truck explosions and coal mine explosions are a couple types of gas fires and explosions that can occur. Defective products and pipeline leaks can also lead to gas fires and explosions.

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