Boston Explosion Injury Lawyers
Strong representation when explosions cause harm to workers, consumers, and large groups of people
Case Evaluation Form
Explosions are as frightening as they sound. Victims often suffer life-changing injuries and live with chronic pain. Most explosions are preventable. At Santoro & Gray, we file claims against manufacturers of defective products that cause explosions, and companies that fail to use proper precautions. We work with experts to show that businesses, employers, and others failed to comply with federal, Massachusetts, and Boston safety laws, regulations, and industry standards. Our Boston trial lawyers demand compensation for our clients’ financial damages and pain and suffering. Call us now to discuss your claim.
Case Evaluation Form
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an explosion is described as follows:
“It is a sudden, rapid release of energy that produces potentially damaging pressures.” “The damage potential of an explosion depends on the pressure that is created from the explosion, as well as how quickly energy is released from the explosion. Explosions can be either detonations or deflagrations depending on their flame speed.”
A deflagration is an explosion where the flame speed is lower than the speed of sound, while a detonation is an explosion where the flame speed is greater than the speed of sound. Explosions can be further categorized as chemical, mechanical, or electrical.
Explosions can occur at oil and gas extraction sites, construction sites, chemical facilities, manufacturing facilities, and restaurants. Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents can also cause explosions when fuel ignites. A more recent type of explosion is a lithium battery explosion. Lithium batteries run electric vehicles, e-bikes, laptops, smartphones, solar energy backups, and many other types of technology.
There are laws, regulations, and industry standards that govern any type of work or any product that may cause an explosion. Many of these rules are very precise about how to use the products (such as chemicals) and what precautions are necessary.
Our Boston explosion lawyers work with professionals who understand how explosions happen and why they were preventable. Some of the causes of explosions include:
- Failure to follow industry regulations and standards
- Faulty electrical wiring and equipment
- Unsafe use and storage of chemicals
- Electrical sockets that are overloaded
- Buildup of airborne particles
- Smoking
- Defective fuel lines
- Defective lithium batteries
- Equipment malfunction, which can increase the risk of a detonation
- Gas leaks in residences and businesses, including piping and storage areas
- Failing to properly train employees
- Failing to post danger warnings
- Faulty warning systems
- Operational negligence, such as leaving valves open
- Inadequate operating instructions
- Inadequate shutoff procedures
- Improper communication and other systematic errors
At Santoro & Gray, we work to file personal injury, product liability, and wrongful death claims against everyone responsible. The accountable parties may include:
- Manufacturers
- Utility companies
- Property owners
- Other defendants, depending on how the explosion happens
Sometimes, more than one person or company is responsible.
Generally, explosion injuries are medically classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
- Primary injuries. These injuries involve the direct harm that the explosion causes to various parts of the body, including:
- A ruptured eardrum
- A ruptured eye
- Lung damage
- Damage to the middle ear
- Concussions
- Abdominal perforation and hemorrhaging
- Secondary injuries. These injuries are due to flying debris. The injuries include:
- Impalement
- Penetrating injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Tertiary injuries. These injuries occur because an explosion throws a person or causes a person to fall or collide with other objects. Examples include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Tissue, muscle, nerve, ligament, and tendon damage
- Quaternary injuries. These injuries and diseases are those that don’t fit into the other categories. They include:
- Burn injuries
- Respiratory disorders, including smoke inhalation and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Heart disorders, including angina, heart failure, and hypertension
- Crush injuries, including organ damage
- PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Cancer due to exposure to hazardous chemicals
We work with your doctors and our network of doctors to verify all your injuries, determine what medical treatments you need (possibly for the rest of your life), the complications that may arise, and every way that your injuries are affecting your ability to function, enjoy life, and work. We also work with employers, financial experts, life planners, and others to determine the value of your other damages.
At the top of our list of concerns is speaking with you. We want to learn how your life now compares to your life before the explosion and what your hopes and expectations for the future are.
We demand compensation for all your current and future damages, including the following:
- Medical bills. These include emergency transport, ER care, burn center care, hospitalizations, doctor visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, assistive devices, and medications.
- Lost income. This amount includes your lost wages, benefits, business income, and long-term disability compensation.
- Pain and suffering. This damage category includes every moment you experience pain, discomfort, itching, crying, anxiety, depression, or any other type of physical or emotional trauma.
- Other damages. These may include:
- Damage to your vehicle
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of bodily function
- The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium (marital comfort and enjoyment)
Some explosion victims may also require funds to pay for transportation to and from healthcare providers.
If an explosion causes the death of a loved one, we file wrongful death claims through the personal representative of the estate on behalf of the family members. Wrongful death damages include the following:
- The funeral and burial costs
- The loss of financial support
- The loss of love, comfort, guidance, and companionship that your loved one would have provided to each family member
Our Boston explosion lawyers also seek punitive damages in wrongful death matters, where permitted, if the explosion was due to malicious, willful, wanton conduct, reckless conduct, or gross negligence.
Yes. Our lawyers consult with explosion victims and their families at our Boston Office located at 131 Dartmouth Street, 3rd Floor. We also discuss cases by phone and through online video platforms, such as Zoom and FaceTime. If your injuries are too severe to travel, we can meet you at your home or a nearby healthcare facility.
We’re ready to hold those responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one fully accountable.
Contact Santoro & Gray today if you were injured in an explosion
Our lawyers have a strong record of notable verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases. We’re respected by former clients not only for our record of success, but for our commitment to our clients. Knowing you helps us prepare your case, answer your questions, and enhance our knowledge of the wonderful people in Boston.
Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. There are no upfront costs. We handle explosion cases on a contingency fee basis.