Boston Law Firm Represents Victims of Gas Explosions

Pursuing compensation for severe burns, concussive injury and wrongful death

The New England area is heavily dependent on combustible fuels, such as propane, natural gas and gasoline. Properly controlled, these chemicals keep us warm in winter, cook our food in the summer, heat our water and fuel our vehicles. However, when something goes wrong, they can erupt into a conflagration that destroys lives and property. At Feinberg & Alban PC, our attorneys help victims of explosions put their lives back together. We fight to hold the negligent parties accountable and get you the compensation you deserve.

Causes of propane, natural gas and gasoline explosions

Most fuel explosions result from negligent handling of the fuel or a defect in the equipment designed to contain or convert it. Equipment, such as propane tanks and hot water heaters, can be damaged when they’re installed. But to make a case for equipment failure, you have to demonstrate that a defect existed and the defect caused the explosion. You must also rebut any defense argument that your handling of the equipment caused the failure.

Explosion cases can be difficult because crucial evidence can be lost. Moreover, the machinery is often very complex. It can involve issues of chemistry and physics. Often plumbers and electricians must be consulted for background. Reconstructing the cause takes knowledge and experience. Our firm consults with qualified experts who have in-depth knowledge of these types of explosions. We take every necessary step to build the most compelling case possible.

We are uniquely qualified to handle explosion cases

As we have reported on our website, Robert Feinberg obtained the highest injury verdict in Massachusetts in 2011 and 2012 on a water heater explosion. The case resulted, as explosions often do, in severe burns. (Thankfully, the hospital which provided acute care did remarkable work so that the burns are barely noticeable.) Experts and lay witnesses testified as to the operation of the heating unit. Three experts were retained, two of whom testified. One was an engineer and the other was a professor at Massachusetts Maritime who often inspects boilers. The professor had never testified until this case. Feinberg & Alban PC will use experts skillfully in trying your case. Often the case will be well-prepared and need not be tried but instead can be settled.

Robert’s case of Gallatto v. Parkview Condominium Trust was the subject of a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly front page article, the closing argument from the case was selected by the Lawyer’s Weekly as a model closing argument, and the trial materials have been included in reference materials for the American Association for Justice (“AAJ”). The AAJ, formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America,  used Robert’s trial materials, including transcripts of testimony and Robert’s successful post-trial motions in its explosion packet, published in January, 2012. Robert was asked to present his explosion case at the annual convention in San Francisco in 2013. In July of 2014, the AAJ updated its Burn Injury Cases Litigation Packet to include Robert’s trial materials once again.

Personal injuries from explosions

Explosions cause injuries, wrongful death and property damage through concussive force and release of energy. The force of an explosion can cause:

The fire that immediately follows an explosion can cause severe burns that result in:

When faced with life-altering personal injuries, it’s crucial that you obtain the maximum compensation possible. Catastrophic injuries place severe limitations on a person’s life and often require a lifetime of care. Your claim must take into consideration the full extent of your injuries and all costs associated with your physical requirements for the rest of your life. At Feinberg & Alban, we fight to help ensure the best outcome possible in your injury suit, so you won’t have to worry about getting the care you need.

Contact our attorneys for legal assistance following a catastrophic injury

Feinberg & Alban PC is an established personal injury law firm with a long record of success in cases throughout Massachusetts. We are qualified by training, experience and concern to manage complex cases of catastrophic injury and wrongful death. To find out how we can help seek compensation for injuries related to a gas explosion, call 617-232-5950 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.