Explosion Injury Attorneys
Fires and explosions are some of the most traumatic events individuals ever have to go through. An explosion can result in widespread damage and serious and catastrophic injuries to those affected by it. Medical bills associated with these injuries can easily run into the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, and injury victims typically have to miss a significant amount of time from work (if they are ever be able to return to work at all). This can cause a major financial hardship for victims and their families. When an explosion accident results from the negligence or reckless actions of another party, those who are injured deserve to be compensated.
At Burge & Burge, we understand that explosion injuries can take a major physical, emotional, and financial toll on victims and their families, and we fight hard for the full and fair compensation our clients need and deserve. Our lawyers have over five decades of combined experience representing clients injured in explosion accidents and all other types of personal injuries in Alabama. We have in-depth knowledge of this area of the law, and we have a successful track record with even the most complex cases.
We routinely go up against well-funded adversaries such as large corporations and their insurance companies. We know the common tactics these companies use to try to avoid responsibility for the injuries they cause, and we have the experience, knowledge, resources, and dedication to successfully thwart these tactics and ensure that those responsible (for your injuries) are held fully accountable. We are skilled litigators and strong negotiators. Whenever possible, we seek to negotiate a reasonable settlement that fully compensates our clients. If the other side is not willing to negotiate in good faith, however, we are ready and able to aggressively pursue full damages through litigation.
Types of Explosion Injuries
There are number of ways an explosion accident can occur, some of the most common include:
- Building Explosions
- Electrical Explosions
- Chemical Explosions
- Steam Explosions
- Power Plant Explosions
- Hot work (e.g., welding, soldering, torch cutting, etc.) Explosions
- Oil and Gas Drilling Explosions
- Mining Explosions
- Fuel Tank Explosions (from motor vehicle accidents)
- Machinery Explosions
There are four general types of injuries that can result from a blast or explosion:
- Primary explosion injuries: These are injuries that typically happen to those closest to the explosion from the force and pressure of the blast that strikes the surface of the body. This can cause instant damage to the lungs (from rapid or excessive pressure changes), internal organ damage, ruptured eyes or eardrums, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Secondary explosion injuries: These are injuries that result from being struck by rapidly moving objects, materials, or debris that is scattered during the explosion. This can cause all types of blunt force trauma injuries, as well as skin penetration.
- Tertiary explosion injuries: These are injuries that happen when someone is thrown a significant distance because of the force of the explosion. For example, falling out a window or off of a high platform.
- Quaternary explosion injuries: These are other injuries that do not fall into any of the other three categories; such as crush injuries, angina, burn injuries, and excessive inhalation of fumes or other toxic substances.
Pursuing Compensation for Explosion Injuries in Alabama
Those involved in explosion accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries. Many of them are physical, but there may also be emotional trauma resulting from being in the middle of an explosion and witnessing the widespread destruction as well as seeing others get seriously injured or killed.
Pursuing an explosion injury claim can be a complex process. Oftentimes, there may be more than one party at fault for the accident, and a thorough investigation is required to determine the exact cause. Another potential complication is determining which legal avenue to pursue to recover compensation.
If the accident occurred at work, your injuries may be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp provides coverage for medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and compensation for a permanent disability. Although workers’ comp is a no-fault system, filing a claim is a complicated and confusing process, and employers often put up unnecessary roadblocks to prevent workers from recovering the compensation they are entitled to.
If the explosion injury happened at work but it was the fault of another party, or if you were injured in an explosion accident outside of work, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the party responsible. Damages available for personal injury claims may include compensation for losses such as:
- Medical Costs
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Earning Capacity
- Pain and Suffering
- Psychological Distress
- Diminished Quality of Life
- Disfigurement
- Loss of Consortium
In rare cases in which the actions of the party responsible for the explosion were especially egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and serve as a deterrent against similarly egregious actions in the future. In Alabama, punitive damages are capped at three times the compensatory damages up to a maximum of $1.5 million.
Those who pursue personal injury claims in Alabama face an uphill battle because of the state’s “contributory negligence” legal standard. Under contributory negligence, if a plaintiff is found to have “contributed” in any way to the underlying accident that caused their injury (even 1%), they can be barred from recovering damages. For this reason, it is extremely important to get an experienced personal injury attorney involved as early as possible in the process, so a full investigation can be conducted right away, critical evidence can be recovered, and your right to compensation can be preserved.
Contact a Knowledgeable and Compassionate Alabama Explosion Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in an explosion accident, you need strong legal counsel in your corner to aggressively advocate for your rights and interests. At Burge & Burge, we are ready to go to work for you! Call our office today at 205-251-9000 or toll free at 800-633-3733 for a free consultation with one of our seasoned attorneys. You may also message us through our online contact form.
We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay attorney fees if we recover compensation for you