Unsafe Gas Appliance Injuries
The last thing any person expects is that they will sustain an injury caused by an appliance in their household. However, appliances that operate on any type of gas could malfunction and cause devastating injuries due to an explosion or fire. Here, we want to look at some of the most common injuries that individuals can sustain in the event an unsafe gas appliance malfunctions. Victims of these injuries are often able to recover compensation for their losses, and we will discuss the importance of having an attorney help you with these particular cases.
Common Gas Appliances That Can Cause Injuries
There are a variety of types of appliances or other household items that use gases of some sort as power sources. This can include compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and propane. Natural gas is the second most used type of energy source in the US, right behind electricity.
Some of the most common uses of natural gas and propane in or around the home include the following:
- Heating and cooling air systems
- Stoves and ovens
- Fireplaces
- Laundry dryers
- Barbecue grills and fire pits
- Hot water heaters
- Refrigerators
- Furnaces
The vast majority of natural gas explosions are caused by negligence. The valves, pipelines, and tanks used to transport natural gas and propane are supposed to be leakproof. However, if a leak occurs, this could indicate that the equipment is faulty or that it was installed incorrectly. Additionally, any of the appliances or household items that use natural gas or propane could have a design or manufacturing error that could lead to significant and deadly explosions.
Injuries Caused by Gas Appliances
The explosion of a gas-powered appliances can lead to a wide range of injuries for victims. These incidents happen with a tremendous amount of force, and this can lead to:
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Concussive injuries, including internal damage and eardrum rupturing
- Lacerations or puncture wounds
- Massive blood loss
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Gas appliance incidents can also spark fires. Any individual in the vicinity of a gas explosion could suffer from a range of secondary injuries, including severe burns.
The injuries caused by a gas appliance incident can lead to permanent disabilities and significant scarring and disfigurement. Victims of these injuries will likely need extensive medical care and maybe even extensive surgeries in order to make a full recovery.
Working With an Atlanta Product Liability Attorney to Secure Compensation
If you or somebody you care about has been injured as a result of a gas appliance explosion or fire, you should contact a skilled Atlanta defective product lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can fully investigate the case and help determine liability.
Responsibilities for these incidents could fall to an appliance company or manufacturer, a gas utility company, the installers of utilities or appliances, and more. It is crucial to explore all possible paths of securing compensation to ensure that victims recover the money they need to make a full recovery. This could include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, general household out-of-pocket expenses, property damage expenses, pain and suffering damages, and more. An Atlanta personal injury attorney will engage in vigorous negotiations with the insurance carriers, and they will also be ready to take the case to trial if necessary to ensure that the gas appliance injury victim is properly cared for.