Gas Explosion Injury Lawyer in Miami

Gas explosions — whether from natural gas, propane, or industrial gas — are among the most catastrophic events in personal injury law. The combination of fire, blast pressure, flying debris, and structural collapse routinely produces severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and death. South Florida sees natural gas service throughout much of Miami-Dade and Broward and propane use in many residential, commercial, and marine settings. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a gas explosion, the legal investigation must start immediately to preserve evidence and identify every responsible party.

Common Causes of Gas Explosions

Damaged underground gas lines struck by excavation crews who failed to properly call 811 (Sunshine 811 in Florida) before digging
Aging or corroded gas distribution mains in older South Florida neighborhoods
Defective gas appliances — water heaters, stoves, furnaces, dryers
Defective gas valves, regulators, and connectors
Improperly installed or maintained gas service
Propane tank failures in residential, commercial, and marine settings
Gas-fueled boat explosions — particularly common in Florida marinas
Restaurant and commercial kitchen explosions from improperly maintained gas equipment
Construction-site gas incidents

Who Can Be Liable

Gas utility companies for negligent design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of distribution lines and meters
Excavation contractors for striking gas lines without proper one-call locates
Builders and contractors for negligent installation of gas service in homes and commercial buildings
HVAC and plumbing contractors for negligent installation or maintenance of gas appliances
Appliance manufacturers for defective gas appliances and components
Propane suppliers and refillers in propane-related explosions
Property owners and landlords for failures to maintain gas service and respond to reported odors
Boat manufacturers and service yards in marine fuel system explosions

Florida's One-Call System (Sunshine 811)

Florida law (Chapter 556, the "Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act") requires anyone planning to excavate to call 811 at least two business days before starting work. The call triggers free locating of all underground utilities at the proposed excavation site. Failure to call before digging is a major source of gas-line strike incidents — and a clear basis for liability when an excavation contractor causes a gas explosion. We obtain the Sunshine 811 ticket records (or absence of them) in every excavation-related gas explosion case.

Cause Investigation

Gas explosion scenes are often heavily damaged or destroyed by the explosion itself, by subsequent fire, and by emergency response. Preserving what remains for cause-and-origin investigation is critical. We work with experienced fire and explosion investigators, gas piping experts, and forensic engineers to identify the source of the leak, the ignition source, and the responsible parties. Often the State Fire Marshal, OSHA (in commercial cases), and the National Transportation Safety Board (in pipeline cases) conduct independent investigations whose records become important evidence.

Damages

Gas explosion injuries are typically severe. Damages can include:

Past and future medical expenses, including burn-center care, multiple reconstructive surgeries, prosthetics, and rehabilitation
Lost wages and earning capacity
Pain and suffering — burn pain is among the most extreme in medical practice, and blast injuries often produce additional sources of severe pain
Permanent disfigurement and scarring
Mental anguish and PTSD
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium for spouses
Wrongful-death damages in fatal cases
Property damage to homes and personal property destroyed in the blast
Punitive damages where gross negligence or intentional misconduct is proved

Statute of Limitations

For gas explosion injuries occurring on or after March 24, 2023, Florida's statute of limitations on negligence claims is two years from the date of the incident. Wrongful-death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. Strict-product-liability claims against appliance and component manufacturers are subject to Florida's 12-year statute of repose for products with exceptions.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a gas explosion in South Florida, contact the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin. Call 786-522-1411 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.