Have you been injured in an explosion? You need to know important information about your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and for future expenses you have due to the accident. Don’t wait to seek legal advice about what to do next.
Explosions Lead to Serious, Life-Changing Injuries and Death
Anyone who has experienced or seen the aftermath of an explosion knows how seriously they can injure victims. As an article from the National Institutes of Health notes, “Explosions are unique in their ability to inflict acute injuries on many people at the same time”, leading to serious injuries and even death. Some examples of injuries that blast victims may suffer include:
- Amputations
- Chemical burns or thermal burns
- Head injuries and concussions
- Internal injuries such as hemorrhages or embolisms
- Impalement or puncture wounds
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Bruises and cuts
- Spinal injuries
- Hearing loss and tinnitus
- Lung damage
- Eye damage
- Exposure to toxic fumes
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Because you may have suffered extremely serious injuries that are not obvious, such as a concussion or internal bleeding, it’s imperative that you seek medical treatment immediately after exposure to any kind of explosion or blast.
Causes and Sources of Explosions
Because explosions can injure many people at once, as noted above, the likelihood of innocent bystanders being injured in a blast is unfortunately very high. Explosions in public places or private businesses adjacent to public places can injure passers-by. Some possible causes or sources of explosions include:
- Oil fires at oilfield sites
- Gas leaks
- Fireworks
- Improper storage of chemicals
- Combustible materials stored near an ignition source
- Faulty wiring and other electrical issues
- Overheated equipment
- Intentionally set explosives
Often, workplace or business safety violations lead to an explosion that affects the surrounding area. While people who handle potentially explosive chemicals and work with high-temperature or high-pressure systems should have safety protocols in place, those protocols are sometimes forgotten or disregarded. If you were injured in an explosion and work with our firm, we will work hard to determine whether safety protocols were properly followed before the blast.
What to Do First After an Explosion
As mentioned above, please seek medical attention immediately after an explosion. It is often hard to tell if you have any internal injuries, hearing damage, or other complications. Make sure you tell the medical staff you were in an explosion so they can check you over appropriately.
After seeking medical attention, we strongly recommend that you find a personal injury lawyer. Even if you feel fine now, you might have injuries that take days, weeks, or even years to manifest fully. For example, some explosion survivors have lung damage from breathing smoke and fumes that only becomes evident when they try to exercise heavily. Others have tinnitus, organ damage due to chemicals, cancer, or PTSD.
A good personal injury lawyer can help you determine how best to seek compensation for your injuries. You may have significant medical costs, lost time and wages at work, or both. And these losses may continue over time as you need ongoing medical treatment and have to take time off work, change jobs, or go on disability. Our personal injury team can work with you to seek the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
I discovered new medical problems long after the explosion. Can your firm help?
Please reach out to us today for a free consultation if you have discovered injuries after an explosion. In Texas, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, with very narrow exceptions. Moreover, the more time that passes, the harder it is to find evidence supporting your case. Don’t delay in seeking legal advice after a blast.
The company whose equipment exploded is trying to deny responsibility – how can I fight back?
Our personal injury legal team is here to help. We frequently take on cases against big insurance companies and businesses whose bottom lines depend on denying rightful compensation to injured victims.
“No Better Friend” “No Worse Enemy”
Have you suffered a serious injury in an explosion or blast accident? Are you struggling to figure out how to pay for your medical bills and lost wages? At Allen & Nunnally, our success on behalf of injured clients shows why hardworking Texans trust us to fight for the compensation they deserve. We pride ourselves on maintaining a high level of preparation and discipline, which stems from our time in the Marines. To schedule a consultation with one of our Houston-based attorneys, email us at info@allen-nunnally.com, use our convenient Contact Form, or call (713) 955-2217.