New York City (NYC) Explosion Injury Lawyer
Any worker that is employed at a chemical or industrial plant should always be concerned about whether their employer has taken the appropriate precautionary steps to protect everyone. When an employer fails to provide employees with a safe workspace, a plant explosion is just one of the possibilities that may result from their negligence. If you or a family member was injured in an explosion accident, consult with an experienced NYC explosion injury lawyer today.
At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we recognize the devastating injuries that may occur due to an explosion accident, and we are here to help you pursue the party responsible. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300.
Common Causes of Explosion Accidents in New York City
Explosion and fire accidents can leave victims caught in the blast with long-term or fatal injuries. For example, while some victims may suffer varying degrees of burn injuries depending on their proximity to the blast, others may suffer an injury that requires reconstructive surgery. That is why it is important to understand who can be held responsible for the injuries a victim sustained.
The following is a list of common causes of explosion accidents in the workplace.
Inadequate Workplace Precautions
As mentioned, many chemical and industrial plants frequently use chemicals and machinery that can be dangerous if used improperly. An employer that operates a chemical plant needs to have stringent safeguards to protect employees from hazardous situations. For example, failure to institute a safe procedure to handle combustible liquids could result in a chemical being ignited and causing an explosion.
Heavy machinery can also be a risk of creating an explosion. Every employee that must use heavy machinery should be thoroughly trained to use this equipment without causing serious accident. For example, if a worker causes a mechanical spark while operating machinery, it could react to other gases in the air and cause them to ignite.
Electrical Hazards
The installation of proper electrical wiring is vital for any workplace, especially one where combustible chemicals are commonly used. Failure to install electrical wiring properly could result in electrocution accidents and explosions if the faulty wiring causes a spark near hazardous chemicals.
Hot Work Areas
Many industrial plants have hot work areas due to activities like welding, torch cutting, brazing, and many other activities that can potentially cause an explosion. These situations are dangerous because activities like welding can cause sparks that can reach as hot as 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. When a spark like this makes contact with machinery, chemicals, or other combustible items, an explosion could easily occur.
Combustible Dust
Many activities in an industrial plant may produce combustible dust. If an employer does not implement procedures to frequently clean up combustible dust, it can become airborne and interact with other flammable chemicals. Industries like food manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, woodworking, and even pharmaceutical companies should be aware of the dangers of combustible dust.
There are other causes of workplace explosions that are not listed above. To learn more about filing a lawsuit for an explosion accident, you should consult with an experienced NYC explosion injury attorney.
Filing a Lawsuit for an NYC Workplace Accident Explosion
If you were the victim of a workplace explosion accident in New York City that left you with severe burns or other types of injuries, you should consider filing a lawsuit against the parties responsible.
When an injury occurs in the workplace, there are multiple parties that could be held responsible for the accident. The party responsible may often affect the type of claim an injured party may choose to pursue. For example, if a victim’s injuries were caused by a negligent coworker, the victim may seek to file a personal injury lawsuit against their coworker.
When a workplace accident is the fault of an employer, there are multiple options that a victim may pursue. For example, if a worker suffered serious burns and requires months to recover, the worker may elect to seek a workers’ compensation claim.
Alternatively, the worker may instead decide that they should sue their employer in a personal injury lawsuit. Note, however, that an employee cannot pursue a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent employer.
Additionally, if the accident was the result of defective machinery or some other defective product, the victim may have a valid claim against the manufacturer for the defective equipment.
To determine what type of lawsuit you should pursue after your workplace injury in NYC, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Our Experienced NYC Explosion Injury Attorneys are Ready to Represent You
If you or a family member was a victim of an explosion, contact an experienced New York City (NYC) explosion injury attorney today. The legal team at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP possess decades of combined legal experience, and we understand the importance of using this knowledge to fight for victims of serious accidents. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your legal situation, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300.