Industries At Risk Of Workplace Explosions

There's no way to truly prepare yourself for the aftermath of an explosive workplace accident. Although they're much more rare than other types of workplace accidents, victims of explosions suffer some of the most devastating injuries.

These injuries require extensive medical care, sometimes including surgery and physical therapy. When workers tragically die in these accidents, grieving families may be saddled with additional stress from a loss of financial support.

We believe in providing compassionate legal counsel for these victims so that they can receive maximum financial compensation for a long and painful recovery process.

How Can Victims Recover?

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a mining accident, you may be overwhelmed with emotional distress. We understand that in the aftermath of such a tragic event, you may not immediately consider the financial ramifications. But it's important to plan for the future by seeking the compensation you need and deserve. We recommend taking the following measures in order to protect your family's financial future:

• Seek medical care - This goes without saying, but make sure to receive appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible.
• Report the injury - Begin the Workers' Comp claims process by filing an official injury report.
• Speak with an attorney - An experienced work injury attorney can take care of the claims process for you while you focus on recovering.

High-Risk Industries

There are certain industries which require the use of flammable materials, chemicals, controlled explosions, and other occupational hazards which could lead to accidental explosions and injuries.

Mining

The mining industry uses controlled explosions to create shafts and tunnels. If a mistake is made, workers could get seriously injured or killed. Other explosive hazards include natural gases like methane and coal dust explosions.

Refineries

Oil refinery explosions frequently make national news headlines. In 2010, Tesoro Refinery outside of Seattle experienced an accidental explosion which resulted in the deaths of seven employees. An investigation by the State Department found violations of safety regulations, the use of failing equipment, postponed maintenance, and inadequate testing for potential hazards.

There's no excuse for an employer's blatant disregard of safety rules. In cases of extreme negligence like this, a personal injury claim against the refinery may be viable. In this particular incident, the families of six of the killed workers received a settlement for $39 million.

Construction

Construction sites are full of potentially explosive materials. Negligent mistakes made by on-site workers could cause a serious blast which could result in multiple injuries. Civilian passersby are also at a high risk, since many construction sites are open-air and in proximity to public streets. Specific hazards which could result in a fire or explosion include:

• Welding accidents
• Operators of heavy machinery striking pipelines
• Propane tanks
• High voltage electricity
• Natural gas leaks
• Combustible dust

If an explosion was caused by a negligent party, victims may recover compensation in a personal injury claim. Possible negligent parties include employers who violated safety standards, property owners who failed to maintain their properties, other contractors who made mistakes, and manufacturers of defective equipment.

How Can Families Be Compensated?

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a workplace explosion, you are entitled to compensation for your suffering. Worker's Compensation can help pay for medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and death benefits to surviving family members. But grieving families may be hesitant to begin the complex claims or appeals process. Our lawyers can handle that part for you, and we'll only ask for payment after you've received your compensation.

In cases of permanent disability, injured workers may apply for Social Security Disability in addition to benefits from Workers' Compensation.

Many of these incidents could have been prevented if management had taken safety precautions more seriously. In cases of gross negligence, you may have the option to file a personal injury claim against your employer or a negligent third party who contributed to the accident.

Consider meeting with an experienced and aggressive work injury lawyer to discuss your family's options. This is the only real way to uncover all possible paths towards compensation in order to secure the full award your family deserves.

Related Pages

• Summary of Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation system
• How workplace burn injury victims can receive fair compensation
• What injured refinery workers should know about financial compensation
• Filing a wrongful death claim for surviving family