Atlanta Gas Explosions Accident Lawyer

Experiencing a gas explosion can be a devastating event, resulting in severe injuries, property damage, and significant emotional distress. If you find yourself the unfortunate victim of a gas explosion, you want the best legal representation to get you all the benefits you deserve. The Atlanta gas explosion attorney team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm are here for you if you are facing hardship from a gas explosion. Call us at 404-975-1775 for a free case evaluation today, and see how we can help you.

Causes of Natural Gas Explosions

If you are dealing with injuries from a gas explosion in Atlanta, then you need adequate compensation in order to recover fully. In order to claim any compensation for your injuries, you most likely will need to prove that the gas explosion was caused by neglect of a person or persons. Knowing the common causes of gas explosions helps to determine the exact cause of the explosion, and is helpful in discovering if the explosion was caused by neglect or not.

For example, one preliminary report from the Georgia Public Service Commission found Payne Drilling and Atlanta Gas Light responsible for a 2020 home explosion in Dunwoody. Atlanta Gas Light stated its investigation determined that Payne Drilling, a company unaffiliated with them, caused the leak by excavating in violation of Georgia’s dig laws and damaging an Atlanta Gas Light line. Another incident involved a ruptured natural gas line fueled by a fire that heavily damaged a bridge in Atlanta in August 2021. Propane tank explosions can also occur, such as one in 2020 where a heater was too close to combustible materials, leading to a fatality. Having an experienced gas explosion attorney by your side

Natural gas is inherently hazardous and requires appropriate management and maintenance, including the proper handling and installation of appliances and pipelines. According to the sources, natural gas explosions can be caused by various situations.

Common causes include:

• Incorrectly installed appliances.
• Old, rusted, or damaged pipelines. Sources also mention excavation damage as a frequent cause of pipeline incidents, sometimes resulting in explosions and fires. Operator or contractor excavation damage is also listed.
• Defective equipment.
• Faulty valves.
• Flawed equipment repairs.
• Damage by an operator or operator’s contractor is also listed as a cause for pipeline incidents.
• Incorrect operation has also been cited as a cause for pipeline incidents.
• External corrosion.
• Miscellaneous causes.
• Temperature fluctuations.
• Unspecified weld issues.
• Internal corrosion.
• incorrect operation.
• pipe body or seam issues.
• Malfunction equipment.
• component failures.
• Pipe seam issues.
• Environmental cracking related issues.
• Unspecified equipment failure.
• Lightning.
• Threaded connection/coupling failure.
• Body of pipe issues.
• Unknown causes.
• Incorrect valve position.

Statistics and Facts about Gas Incidents

Natural gas explosions and fires can cause deaths, severe injuries, and extensive costly injuries and property damage. According to NFPA, an estimated yearly average of 4,200 home fires started with the eruption of natural gas, causing an average of 40 deaths per year. The sources indicate that cooking equipment/appliances were involved in 54% of these fires, and heating equipment in 25%.

Georgia has experienced a notable number of major gas leaks. From 2010 to October 2021, Georgia had 59 reported pipeline leaks large enough to be reported to federal authorities, ranking 10th among US states. Of these, 25 caused fires and six triggered explosions. These incidents resulted in at least two deaths and nine injuries in Georgia during that period. The estimated value of gas losses, property damage, and repairs from these leaks was more than $30 million.

Looking at a longer timeframe for all pipeline incidents (gas and hazardous liquid) in Georgia, data since 1986 shows 89 incidents, resulting in 7 fatalities and 36 injuries, with $56.3 million in property damages. 52 of these were gas incidents. The ProPublica data also lists specific incidents involving Atlanta Gas Light Company over the years, many of which involved third-party excavation damage and resulted in injuries or property damage.

It’s important to note that dangers aren’t limited to just a few states, as gas leaks caused 122 fatalities and 603 injuries across the nation from 2010 to 2021, according to one report. Historically, pipeline accidents, including those involving gas and other hazardous liquids, have resulted in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage across the US. Causes dating back to the 1970s include excavation damage by contractors or third parties, operator error, corrosion, pipe failures, and other miscellaneous issues.

Beyond explosions and pipeline incidents, residents in Atlanta have also faced concerns regarding the release of hazardous chemicals like chlorine gas into the atmosphere from chemical plant fires. Acute exposure to high concentrations of chlorine can cause pneumonia-like symptoms, while lower exposures can lead to sore throats, burning eyes, and coughing.

Navigating the Legal System After a Gas Explosion in Atlanta

If you have been injured in a gas explosion in Atlanta, Georgia’s personal injury laws provide a framework for seeking justice and compensation from the party responsible for causing the accident due to their fault or negligence. This area of law, also known as tort law, allows an injured individual to initiate a civil action to receive damages for losses resulting from an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

Accountability and Negligence

Natural gas providers, property owners, manufacturers, or service providers have responsibilities to properly manage and maintain gas handling, appliance installation, and pipelines. If a party fails to meet these responsibilities, and this failure leads to an explosion and resulting harm, accountability becomes a crucial aspect. Negligence in Georgia involves conduct that falls below the standard expected, and if this negligence causes injury, the negligent party can be held liable.

Georgia’s At-Fault System and Comparative Negligence

Georgia operates under an at-fault system for personal injury claims, meaning the party responsible for causing an accident is liable for covering damages. You can seek compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance, negotiating a settlement, or pursuing a lawsuit.

Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This rule influences the damages awarded in cases where both parties might share some responsibility. You can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your recovery amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 40% responsible and your damages are $100,000, your recovery would be reduced by 40%, or $40,000, leaving you with $60,000. If you are 50% or more responsible, you are barred from recovery. This rule is particularly commonly used during car accident settlements but applies to other personal injury cases as well.

Another defense to negligence in Georgia is assumption of the risk. If a plaintiff voluntarily undertakes a risk that results in injury, they may be barred from recovery. This requires that the plaintiff knew and appreciated the risk but still chose to expose themselves to the danger.

Statute of Limitations

There is a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia, known as the statute of limitations. Typically, this deadline is two years from the date of the injury. If you miss this deadline, you generally lose your right to seek compensation through the legal system. Having an experienced attorney by your side can ensure that you don’t miss any essential deadlines, and so you get the compensation you need to recover. Our Atlanta gas explosion attorney teamwill make sure that you get the maximum amount of compensation when you call us for a free evaluation at 404-975-1775 today.

Types of Damages

In a personal injury case in Georgia, you may be able to recover various types of damages to compensate you for your losses. Having an experienced Gas Explosion attorney can help you get the most out of your compensation claim by knowing what damages you deserve.
The types of damages that you could recover include:

• Economic Damages: These are direct financial costs that can be documented with bills, receipts, and pay stubs. Examples include medical bills (past, present, and future), costs for special medical treatment like physical therapy, lost income, lost earning potential, and property damage.
• Non-economic Damages: These account for the personal impact of your injury that isn’t reflected in bills. Examples include physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability, and scarring or deformation. Georgia law does not cap the amount of non-economic damages you can recover.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the offending party and discourage similar conduct in the future. These are generally capped at $250,000, although exceptions exist for specific situations like drunk driving, or if the defendant acted with specific intent to harm.

Steps to Take After an Accident

If you have been injured in a gas explosion, taking certain steps is important for your health and potential legal claim.

1. Get Medical Treatment: Always seek immediate medical treatment after an injury-causing accident. Your emergency medical treatment records establish a base level for the severity of your injuries and will be used for your insurance claim. Even if you think your injuries are minor, make sure to get them checked by a medical professional to ensure that there are no
2. Contact an Attorney: Before speaking with any insurance company, it is advisable to contact a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies may try to use anything you say against you. An attorney can help you navigate communication with insurers and protect your rights.
3. Gather Evidence: Collect as much information as possible about the incident and your injuries. This includes police reports, photographs and videos of the scene and your injuries, eyewitness statements, medical bills, employment records (for lost wages), property repair receipts, and any other documentation that proves what happened and your damages. Keeping a post-accident diary can help track your healing process and how injuries impact your life, which can support non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company: If applicable, you may need to contact your own insurance company. Your attorney can usually handle this for you.
5. File an Insurance Claim: Your attorney can file a claim with the appropriate insurance company on your behalf, presenting evidence of fault and damages.
6. Send a Demand Letter: Your attorney may send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company detailing how much compensation you seek for your damages. The insurance company may respond with a lower settlement offer.
7. Negotiation or Lawsuit: Many cases are settled through negotiation with the insurance company. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit and potentially go to trial. The lawsuit begins by filing a “Complaint” with the court and serving it on the defendant.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm: Your Atlanta Gas Explosion Attorney Team

When facing the catastrophic aftermath of a gas explosion, the choice of legal representation in Statesboro, GA, is paramount. You need a law firm that not only understands the profound complexities of such cases but also possesses a proven track record of fighting for victims and securing substantial compensation.

This is precisely why Merritt & Merritt Law Firm stands as the unequivocal choice for your gas explosion personal injury lawsuit.

Don’t entrust your future to just any firm, choose the proven strength, experience, and dedication of Merritt & Merritt Law Firm. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve, allowing you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life. Call us today at 404-975-1775 for a free consultation today.