New Jersey Fatal Burns and Explosions Lawyers

Explosions have the potential to inflict the most severe kinds of burn injuries, or worse, fatalities. Those involved in explosions usually suffer other injuries that can cause disfigurement or death. When someone is injured by an explosion, it is imperative that they receive medical treatment right away. While waiting for the arrival of paramedics, bystanders should implement first-aid procedures, and take action to prevent the person from experiencing shock.

The workplace can present many dangers that place people at risk of being hurt in explosions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, approximately 88 workers died in fire and explosions at work. Workers in a variety of occupations are more vulnerable to explosion accidents than others. Explosions are more likely to occur in occupations that involve the use of chemicals, machinery, explosives, gases or flames. For example, farm workers are typically exposed to chemicals, machinery and stored crops that could possibly explode. Other instances of workplace explosions can affect miners, mill workers, construction workers, firefighters and oil refinery workers.

Catastrophic burn injuries that result from explosions and electrical fires frequently end tragically for workers in factories, warehouses and other industrial environments. Although the stringent regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) should prevent these types of industrial accidents, all too often, companies are negligent in maintaining standards and procedures in an effort to be profitable.

Similarly, gas explosions in apartment buildings or homes can also be deadly. These are often the result of a leaking gas pipe, connector or valve, or defective oven and any spark can cause the explosion.

Causes of fatal burns and explosions
Absent safety precautions, training programs for employees and numerous safety checks to prevent explosions at factories, warehouses and other industrial complexes, workers are put at risk. Negligence on the part of the employer can result in fires and explosions, which frequently result in fatalities. Typical causes of explosions and fires include:

• Poor maintenance of equipment
• Inadequate storage of materials
• Lack of employee training
• Faulty wiring or poor electrical work
• Accumulation of combustible dust

Injuries caused by industrial fires and explosions
Among the injuries that often result from industrial explosions and fires are:

• Severe burn injuries, including thermal burns that can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement.
• Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. The impact of an explosion can force a worker to suffer a serious fall, which can result in trauma, including injury to the brain and spinal cord. They may sustain a permanent injury, including paralysis and lasting impairment.
• Loss of limb. The impact of an explosion may cause someone to lose a limb, particularly if the person is near the source.
• Wrongful death. Because workers usually have little or no warning of industrial explosions, such accidents are often deadly. In addition, inadequate evacuation procedures and lack of fire extinguishers can lead to wrongful death in the event of a fire.

As a result of fatal burns and explosions, families of the deceased may file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or entity that was negligent in maintaining the faulty or defective equipment that caused the explosion.

If your loved one suffered a fatal injury from a fire or explosion that resulted from the negligence of another person or entity, or a defective product, call the experienced New Jersey wrongful death attorneys at Todd J. Leonard Law Firm.