South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
Propane is an extremely flammable gas that is used for various things (such as outdoor grills) by millions of Americans every day. Propane is colorless and odorless. If it is not handled properly, propane can cause dangerous, even deadly explosions. If you have been injured or your loved one has died due to a propane tank explosion, it is important to contact a seasoned Miami injury attorney as soon as possible. These types of accidents can leave victims with severe and long-term burn injuries.
Every year, a number of people in Florida and throughout the United States suffer from burn injuries. The most common type of burn injury occurs from contact with fire or flames, or contact with hot objects. The American Burn Association states that approximately 450,000 patients receive hospital and emergency room treatment for burns every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, burns and fires are the third leading cause of death in the home. The National Fire Protection Association found that between 2006 and 2010, there were an average of 8,600 home fires involving grills that required a fire department response.
Propane tank explosions can have a number of causes, including:
- A faulty pressure valve that may cause the tank to rupture and explode;
- Faulty regulators, hoses, or any other part of the tank;
- Improper installation of an outdoor grill;
- Improper reconnection after the tank was refilled, causing a leak and explosion;
- Lack of maintenance of the propane tanks that causes leaks that can escalate into a fire or explosion; or
- Partial failure, leak, or break in the tank or lines leading from the tank that can potentially cause an explosion.
When the propane tank explosion is caused by a defective part, the manufacturer or retailer may be liable on a theory of product liability. This type of claim may be appropriate when the propane tank or part of the propane tank has a design or manufacturing defect. A product liability claim may also be appropriate when the manufacturer does not give consumers sufficient information about its product’s use, leading to a preventable injury.
In many cases, the careless conduct of another person could cause a propane tank to leak and subsequently explode. For example, when propane tanks are exposed to high heat, they can build up pressure and eventually be the source of a fire. If another person’s carelessness caused a propane fire, the injured party may be able to seek damages under the legal theory of negligence. Negligence occurs when a party causes an injury or death by failing to exercise the level of care that a prudent person would have used in the same or similar circumstances.
A propane tank explosion can leave injured victims with severe and long-term injuries. As a result, victims may be able to recover medical expenses for surgery and medication costs, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and more.
If you or someone close to you has sustained burn injuries due to a propane tank explosion, it is imperative to speak to a knowledgeable Miami product liability attorney who understands the causes of propane tank explosions. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are committed to providing victims with the legal information they need following a propane tank accident. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns. To discuss your case in more detail, feel free to call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or contact us online.
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