Phoenix Explosion Injury Lawyers

Explosion Accident Attorneys Serving Clients in Phoenix and All of Arizona

An explosion injury lawyer at Burg Simpson has the experience, knowledge, and resources to pursue justice after a catastrophic fire or blast. These cases are unique and complex. In addition to multiple injuries and fatalities, explosions can devastate entire neighborhoods and communities.

Qualified legal representation is crucial for obtaining the compensation you deserve. We have achieved multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients in multiple gas explosion cases. Our attorneys are nationally recognized for their handling of explosion accident litigation and other complex matters.

Call Burg Simpson today at 602-777-7000 for a FREE and confidential case review. Our explosion injury lawyers serve clients in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.

Common Injuries in Explosions

Few events are more disastrous for the human body than an explosion. Explosions can cause a wide range of serious and catastrophic injuries. These injuries may drastically alter the course of someone’s life. In many cases, they can also prove fatal.

The injuries sustained in explosions are categorized as primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary:

Primary Injuries

Primary injuries refer to the trauma caused by the explosion itself—specifically the pressure and force that extends outward from a large explosion. These injuries include:

• Blast Lung Injury (damage to the lungs from the shock wave produced by an explosion)
• Vestibular Injury (trauma to the inner ear)
• Abdominal Injuries (the blast wave can cause serious damage to organs in the abdomen, especially the gastrointestinal tract)
• Intraocular Injury (the force of the blast can severely damage the interior of the eye, up to and including rupture of the eyeball)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (the initial blast can cause a closed head injury that damages the brain)

Secondary Injuries

Secondary injuries in an explosion mainly consist of blunt or penetrating trauma from debris. Areas such as the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities may all sustain damage from objects that penetrate or strike the victim.

Tertiary Injuries

Additional or tertiary injuries may be suffered when an individual is thrown by the blast and collides with the ground or structures and objects in the vicinity. This can lead to:

• Bone Fractures
• Traumatic Amputation Injuries
• Closed or Open Head Injuries

Quaternary Injuries

Finally, quaternary injuries in an explosion consist of trauma and complications suffered as a result of issues incidental to the blast. These include:

• Severe Burns (may be caused by the explosion itself or subsequent fires)
• Crush Injuries (often occur when an explosion causes the partial or total collapse of a structure)
• Lung Damage & Asphyxia (caused by inhaling toxic chemicals)
• Head & Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Damage to the Extremities
• Aggravation of Pre-Existing Injuries & Conditions

All explosion-related injuries should be considered a medical emergency. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential. Depending on the nature and severity of the injuries, ongoing and specialized care may be required to help manage complex injuries and reduce the risk of complications.

Common Causes of Explosions

Most people associate explosions with bombs and other materials found in warzones. In reality, however, there are a variety of everyday situations that can lead to an explosion. These disasters can occur in the home, in the workplace, and in many other locations.

Potential causes of an explosion include:

• Product Defects; improper design or manufacturing can make certain products (such as propane tanks, automotive parts, e-cigarettes, industrial equipment, etc.) more likely to explode
• Natural Gas Leaks
• Auto Accidents; if a fire starts following a crash, gasoline and other chemicals may ignite and explode
• Truck Accidents; semi-trucks often haul hazardous cargo (such as flammable liquids and gases) which may explode in the event of a crash
• Construction & Industrial Accidents; explosions may be caused by defective equipment, improper storage of combustible chemicals or materials, contact with high-voltage lines, etc.
• Electrical Accidents
• Agricultural Explosions; fires and explosions on farms may be caused by malfunctioning machinery, gases from fertilizer, and the buildup of dust and gas from grains (to name a few)
• Oil & Petrochemical Disasters; everything from failure to follow safety protocols to inadequate maintenance of pipes and other equipment can cause explosions at oil rigs and facilities handling petrochemicals

These are just a few examples of situations where an explosion may occur. If you or someone you love was injured or lost their life in an explosion, our lawyers can investigate the accident, identify your legal options, and fight to hold all negligent parties accountable.

Natural Gas Explosions

More than 40% of the electricity generated in Arizona comes from natural gas. The majority of homes and businesses in the state are served by six regulated gas utilities, in addition to several municipal governments that provide natural gas to residents of the city.

Given the widespread use of natural gas as a power and heating source, it is important to be aware of the risk of an explosion. Sadly, Arizona has seen multiple natural gas explosions in recent years. These include an explosion in Chandler that left four people severely burned and collapsed part of a strip mall, as well as a pipeline explosion in Coolidge that left a father and his teenage daughter dead, a mother with severe burns, and a home destroyed.

Multiple issues can lead to natural gas explosions. These include:

• Worn or corroded pipes
• Fires within the pipeline
• Negligent maintenance of pipelines
• Errors in opening or closing valves
• Using pipes designed for other materials to transport natural gas
• Defective gas appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, stoves, grills, etc.
• Improper installation of gas appliances

An explosion attorney can determine whether the negligence of another caused the explosion. Multiple parties may be at fault, including the gas company, the company that manufactured a defective appliance, the owner of a property that used natural gas, and more.

How Our Explosion Injury Lawyers Can Help

Asserting your rights after an explosion can be difficult. It may not be immediately clear what caused the explosion or who is responsible. An explosion injury lawyer can overcome these obstacles, handling all aspects of litigation—from exploring what claim or claims you may have to filing lawsuits to presenting your case at trial as needed.

When you hire a Phoenix explosion injury lawyer at our firm, you will gain qualified guidance and assistance with all of the following:

• Collecting evidence: Our team visits the scene of the explosion to gather physical evidence, take photographs, and more.
• Interviewing witnesses: Eyewitness testimony is often key for establishing how and when the explosion occurred. We identify witnesses to the explosion and ask them to describe what they saw.
• Consulting experts: Expert witnesses can help our attorneys establish the cause of the explosion. Multiple factors are often involved in these catastrophes. Our firm has built relationships with leading experts in a variety of fields. This enables us to conduct comprehensive investigations and prepare a strong case against those responsible.
• Identifying the defendant(s): Determining who is at fault for an explosion is a time-intensive process. The negligence of multiple parties may have been a factor. Our explosion injury lawyers delve into documents, eyewitness accounts, video footage, and other evidence to prove your case.
• Reviewing medical records: All injuries from the explosion need to be thoroughly documented. Our attorneys evaluate your medical records and speak with your doctors to gain a complete understanding of how the explosion has impacted your life, as well as any future impacts.
• Calculating damages: In addition to proving that you were injured as a result of the explosion, you need to show that you suffered compensable damages. You may be entitled to recovery of economic and non-economic losses. A Phoenix explosion injury lawyer at our firm will aggressively pursue every dollar of compensation you are owed.
• Making a claim: The process of pursuing compensation after an explosion typically begins with filing a demand for damages with the insurer(s) for the defendant(s). Alternatively, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against those responsible. We will handle the paperwork and filings on your behalf.
• Negotiating a settlement: Even in complex personal injury matters, your case may be settled without going to court. Our attorneys will negotiate with the defendants and insurance companies with the goal of obtaining a favorable settlement.

Sometimes it is not possible to reach a fair settlement. If this is the case, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit, prepare for trial, and argue for maximum compensation in the courtroom. As veteran trial lawyers, we have a reputation for going to court—and winning. 

Why Choose Burg Simpson

How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim?

The cause of the explosion will determine, in part, how long you have to take legal action. In Arizona, claims for personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death must be brought no more than 2 years after the fact.

While product liability claims are subject to the same 2-year statute of limitations, the following provision applies:

“… no product liability action may be commenced and prosecuted if the cause of action accrues more than twelve years after the product was first sold for use or consumption, unless the cause of action is based upon the negligence of the manufacturer or seller or a breach of an express warranty provided by the manufacturer or seller.”

– Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-551

In other words, an injury claim involving a defective product must be made within 12 years of when the product was initially sold—unless it can be shown that: (a) the defect arose due to negligence on the part of a manufacturer or seller of the product, or (b) the defect constituted a breach of the product’s express warranty.

An Arizona explosion attorney can assess how much time you have to make a claim. It is important to consult a lawyer as soon as possible so you do not lose the opportunity to pursue compensation for your losses.

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Who Is Liable for an Explosion?

Liability is a complex issue in the aftermath of an explosion. There may be more than one defendant, and each defendant will likely be represented by a different insurance company. Our attorneys can help you hold all negligent parties accountable for injuries and damages sustained due to an explosion. You may have a case against one or more of the following:

• The manufacturer of a defective gas appliance, motor vehicle, machine, power tool, propane tank, or other product
• Gas utilities
• The seller of a defective product
• Negligent motorists
• The employer of a commercial driver hauling hazardous materials
• A negligent third party (such as a contractor, a vendor, etc.) who causes a workplace accident
  • In rare circumstances, employers may also be held liable for work-related injuries; however, workers’ compensation is typically the sole remedy for on-the-job accidents.
• The owner of a property

Explosions can leave multiple people injured, displaced, or even killed. It is not uncommon for fingers to start pointing soon after, with any number of parties looking to shift blame and avoid responsibility.

Until you speak to an attorney, your needs, concerns, and questions may go unaddressed in the aftermath of the incident. You need an experienced explosion injury lawyer to get to the bottom of the accident and identify what legal recourse you have.

What Damages Are Available for an Explosion Injury?

Explosions can result in devastating losses. How much your claim may be worth depends on a host of different factors, including how serious your injuries are, your outlook for recovery, the costs you have incurred to date, and the impact on your finances going forward. In addition to financial or economic damages, the effects on your physical and psychological health must be taken into account.

An explosion injury attorney can pursue compensation for the following:

• The cost of medical care to-date
• Any future medical expenses you will incur
• Lost wages
• The loss of future income and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses for medications, medical equipment, etc.
• Modifications to your home and/or vehicle
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of the enjoyment of life

Our lawyers are dedicated to obtaining the maximum compensation in your case. We have achieved more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients, including multiple recoveries for clients injured in gas explosions.

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You can count on our attorneys to work hard and prepare your case meticulously. We hold ourselves to a high standard and strive for excellence in serving our clients, whether in settlement negotiations or at trial.

What If a Loved One Died in an Explosion?

The most tragic outcome of any accident is the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, fatalities are common in explosions.

If you lost a member of your family in an explosion caused by someone else’s negligence, our lawyers can pursue justice for your loved one and fair compensation for you and your surviving relatives. Wrongful death damages to which you may be entitled include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of earnings and future economic support
• Medical expenses for care provided prior to death
• Loss of companionship and consortium
• Loss of household services and support
• Surviving family members’ emotional anguish

Only certain individuals are legally allowed to make a claim for wrongful death in Arizona. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system and understand your rights following an explosion.

Contact a Phoenix Explosion Injury Lawyer Today

Burg Simpson Law Firm has achieved national recognition for our representation of plaintiffs in personal injury cases. Since our founding in 1976, we have made it our mission to provide the highest quality of service to clients who have been injured through no fault of their own and lost loved ones due to the wrongdoing of others.

We combine our national clout with the personalized attention of a local law firm. This combination provides our clients access to the highest standard of legal counsel with the confidence that their voice will be heard and their case will be handled by elite attorneys and experienced staff.

For a FREE and confidential case review, call Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 today. Our explosion injury lawyers serve clients in Phoenix, all of Arizona, and nationwide.