Raleigh Gas Explosion and Leak Lawyers
If you were injured by a gas leak or explosion, you have the right under North Carolina law to receive compensation for your injuries from the utility company, property owner, or property manager. Our experienced Raleigh gas explosion lawyers can help.
Our compassionate team helps clients with medical care, medical bills, property damage, and dealing with the stress of their physical recovery. We provide support, care, and concern in the aftermath of tragedies.
As former insurance defense attorneys, we know how to fight for every penny you deserve.
Gas Explosion Lawyers Serving North Carolina
Our Raleigh Gas Explosion and Leak Injury Settlements and Verdicts:
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In 2023, we represented a client who was severely burned and suffered permanent injuries after a fire and reached a confidential settlement with the alleged responsible parties for $4,750,000. Other details about the incident, including the location of the incident, the venue, the names of the parties, and the names of the attorneys for the defendants, were withheld due to a confidentiality agreement. Learn the case summary.
What Is a Gas Explosion Claim in Raleigh, NC?
Gas explosion accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including equipment failure, human error, and natural disasters. In North Carolina, gas explosion accidents have occurred in a range of settings, including residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. Gas explosion accidents can have severe consequences, including injury, loss of life, and significant property damage.
Personal Injury:
Gas explosions can cause severe burns, lacerations, broken bones, and other injuries to those in the immediate vicinity. The impact of the explosion can also cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other long-term disabilities.
Loss of Life or Accidental Death:
Gas explosions can be deadly, and many people have lost their lives in these accidents. For example, the 2019 Durham gas explosion killed two people and injured more than two dozen others.
Property Damage:
Gas explosions can also cause significant property damage. The force of the explosion can destroy buildings and homes, and the resulting fire can consume everything in its path. Property damage can be costly to repair or replace, and it can take years for individuals and businesses to recover from the financial impact of a gas explosion.
Common Injuries Caused by Gas Leaks and Explosion Accidents in Raleigh, NC
Property accidents can cause minor and serious injuries bodily injuries to everyone involved. Some of the most common types of injuries our slip and fall attorneys in Raleigh see in their cases are:
Back and spine injuries
Neck injuries
Brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Sprained and bruised knees, ankles, wrists, hips, and shoulders
Burn injuries, including scarring, loss of mobility, reduced range of motion, and loss of sensation
Asphyxiation, which can cause neurological injuries
Broken bones
Hearing loss
Anxiety and psychological injuries
Death
Damages Our Raleigh Gas Explosion and Leak Can Help You Recover
The personal injuries you suffered in your gas leak or explosion accident may entitle you to monetary payments and compensation. Some of the most common types of damages (explained in more detail here) recovered in the cases handled by our Raleigh gas leaks and explosion accidents lawyers are:
Medical bills paid/reimbursed
Future medical expenses
Lost wages and income for time you missed at work
Pain and suffering/mental anguish
Loss of consortium if your accident affected your relationship with your spouse
Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
Punitive damages to punish the other party for particularly bad, reckless, or outrageous conduct that caused your injuries
A Guide to North Carolina Gas Explosion and Leak Claims
Most gas explosion victims have questions about what they should/shouldn’t do and how the legal system works. It’s understandable because this kind of catastrophic tragedy rarely happens to a community more than once. Unfortunately, there is little reliable or correct information about gas explosion cases that is available to the public, which causes confusion about the personal injury process and hurts injury victims’ chances for recovery. Here’s what our team of Raleigh gas explosion lawyers believe you should know:
1. What Should I Do After I’m Injured in a Gas Explosion or Leak in Raleigh, NC?
The initial moments and days after your gas explosion accident are critical, not only for your well-being but for your chances for compensation as well. These are the most important steps to take after your gas explosion or leak accident:
Take photos of your injuries
Visit a doctor if you haven’t already
Take photos of the source or area where the explosion or leak occurred
Follow the doctor’s recommendations and attend all follow-up appointments
Write down a narrative of what happened while it’s still fresh in your head
Make a list of witnesses and their contact information if you know it
Follow any additional instructions from your attorney
2. How Do I File a Gas Explosion or Leak Claim in Raleigh, NC?
A gas explosion case begins when you file legal documents called a “summons” and “complaint” in the appropriate North Carolina court, usually in the county where you live or where the accident occurred. The specific details are outlined in Rule 4 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. Filing a case is as simple as taking the summons and complaint to the court clerk of the court where you’re filing the case.
The clerk accepts the filing and returns your copies so that you can serve the defendant with their copy of the filing documents. “Serving” a defendant means providing them with a copy of your file-stamped summons and complaint in a very specific, formal way, which is explained in Rule 5 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. Your complaint must include all of the grounds to bring your case and all of your demands for compensation.
3. Will My Gas Explosion or Leak Claim Go to Trial in Raleigh, NC?
95% of gas explosion cases, according to government statistics, resolve before needing to go to trial. The vast majority of injury cases will settle before the trial date arrives (sometimes even before a lawsuit is filed), and others will settle in the middle of trial. The most common reasons cases go to trial are:
The defendant’s insurance adjuster and company believes they will win the case, so they offer a very low settlement or none.
The insurance company doesn’t want to set a precedent for settling your type of gas explosion lawsuit.
The monetary amount demanded by your attorney is too high for the insurance company to settle without fighting the claim.
Liability (meaning who is at-fault) or the injured person’s damages are too contested or questionable to find a middle ground.
The more time spent in preparation and building the case, the more likely your case will reach an appropriate settlement. But there are a lot of variables, and if your case is in the small percentage that go to trial, a Raleigh gas explosion attorney can help prepare you for what to expect.
4. What Are the Signs of a Natural Gas Leak in North Carolina?
For most natural gas leaks, the signs of a leak are very noticeable. For the majority of leaks, the signs of of a natural gas leak can be seen, smelled, or heard.
SIGHT
For underground natural gas leaks, you may see discolored or dead vegetation around the leak origin, bubbles in standing water and dirt, or even leaves and debris being blown into the air.
SMELL
The most common symptom of a natural gas leak is the smell of rotten eggs or sulfur. The rotten eggs smell is an odorant additive because natural gas is otherwise odorless. Unfortunately, as natural gas travels through soil, the odorant “rotten eggs” smell can actually be filtered out, which means a natural gas leak can be present even if you can’t smell it. Handheld gas detectors are necessary if that is suspected.
SOUND
If the leak is significant enough, you might be able to hear it. Natural gas leaks, if close enough to the surface, make a hissing or whistling noise.
5. What If I’m Partially At-Fault for Causing the Gas Explosion or Leak in Raleigh, NC?
Whether it’s true or not, you are likely going to be blamed for causing your accident or injuries, even if just partially. You might even believe that you are responsible for the accident. However, there is a big difference between what regular people think about fault and what the law says. For instance, you might think a man stepping into a clearly visible 23 ft x 3 ft open service pit at an auto repair shop that he’s frequented for years is to blame for his own injuries. But the $1,800,000 settlement our team of Raleigh premises liability lawyers secured in that case in 2020 suggests otherwise.
North Carolina does follow the doctrine of contributory negligence, which could prevent you from recovering damages from your accident if a jury believes you are partially to blame. However, an experienced Raleigh gas explosion lawyer understands that defense and how to work around it.
Free Case Evaluation
Our Raleigh gas explosion lawyers are available now to evaluate your case for free.
6. How Long Does a Gas Explosion or Leak Claim Take to Reach a Settlement in Raleigh, NC?
A small of number of cases resolve very quickly before a lawsuit is even filed. It may take 3-4 months to obtain your medical bills and records and 1-2 weeks to negotiate with the claims adjuster. However, these cases are in the minority and are usually limited to very specific circumstances (like when liability is clear and the damages are so severe that they clearly are worth more than the limits of available insurance). Gas explosion or leak cases in particular require extensive investigation and engineering analysis to determine the cause or source of the leak that lead to the accident.
In most other cases, litigation can last for a year or more. The more complicated or contested your case, the longer you can expect it to take. You do have some control over the length of your case because it’s up to you to accept or reject settlement offers.
7. How Long Do I Have to File a Gas Explosion or Leak Claim in Raleigh, NC?
There is limited amount of time you have to file a claim, also known as the statute of limitation. In North Carolina, for most gas explosion or leak cases, you have 3 years from the accident or injury to bring a claim. For accidents that resulted in death, you have 2 years from the date of the death. There is no wiggle room or do-overs when it comes to deadlines to file a personal injury claim, so it is in your best interest to get a Raleigh gas explosion attorney involved as early as possible after your accident.
8. What Is the Process for a North Carolina Personal Gas Explosion or Leak Claim?
Once you file the case, you serve the other side with a copy of the paperwork. Then you wait for them to file an Answer, which is just a legal document that admits or denies the allegations in your Complaint. At the time same, you have time to build your case by contacting witnesses, gathering medical evidence, and collecting evidence from the other party. This is known as “discovery.” At that time, you may be asked to give a “deposition,” which is sworn testimony under oath. An experienced gas explosion and leak lawyer in Raleigh can help, guide, and prepare you through this process.
In North Carolina, it is mandatory for the parties to also participate in “mediation” before the case goes to trial. Mediation is simply a meeting (either via Zoom or in a conference room) that all of the parties are required to attend, along with a professional mediator, to see if the case can be settled and resolved. A representative of the insurance carrier who decides how much money the carrier will offer will also be present. A majority of cases resolve through mediation.
9. How Much Does a Gas Explosion and Leak Lawyer in Raleigh, NC Charge?
Many Raleigh gas explosion attorneys will agree to work on your case with no money up front or out-of-pocket. If you succeed in your case, they will take a percentage of the compensation you receive either in your settlement or judgment from a jury verdict. This is also known as a contingency fee. In most of our cases, we charge a contingency fee equal to 1/3 of the amounts we recover on your behalf. That means we have a financial incentive to help you recover every amount you’re owed, not one penny less.
10. What Does a Raleigh Personal Gas Explosion and Leak Lawyer Do to Help?
Hiring an experienced gas explosion lawyer can provide you with numerous benefits. Injury attorneys know how to conduct initial investigations and save important evidence (before it could be destroyed) that might be needed for your case. They are able to work with experts, law enforcement, and first responders to prove what happened in your accident. They can assist with getting you the appropriate medical care and treatment.
Good North Carolina gas explosion attorneys can also negotiate with the at-fault parties, their lawyers, and insurance adjusters to get you fair compensation for your injuries. But perhaps most importantly, a gas explosion and leak lawyer can take the weight and burden of the legal aspects of your case off your shoulders so you to focus on your recovery.
11. What Happens After I File a Gas Explosion or Leak Claim in Raleigh, NC?
In a North Carolina gas explosion lawsuit, the injured party (victim) files a formal demand for compensation called a Complaint. Once you file the case, you serve the other side with a copy of the paperwork. Then you wait for them to file an Answer, which is just a legal document that admits or denies the allegations in your Complaint. At the time same, you have time to build your case by contacting witnesses, gathering medical evidence, and collecting evidence from the other party. This is known as “discovery.” At that time, you may be asked to give a “deposition,” which is sworn testimony under oath. An experienced North Carolina gas explosion lawyer, like our team in Raleigh, NC, can help, guide, and prepare you through this process.
12. What Is the Statute of Limitations in North Carolina for Gas Explosion and Leak Claims?
There is limited amount of time you have to file a claim, also known as a statute of limitation. In North Carolina, for most gas explosion cases, you have 3 years from the accident or injury to bring a claim. For accidents that resulted in death, you have 2 years from the date of the death. There are different and separate time limits for contracts cases, criminal cases, and cases about property damage.
13. What is the Average Settlement for a Gas Explosion or Leak Claim in Raleigh, NC?
There’s no way to precisely value your claim, but an experienced gas explosion or leak attorney may be able to give you an approximate value based on their experiences and prior results in other cases. The value of your claim includes your economic damages like costs for medical treatment, lost wages, future medical care, paying for help you need around the home, and physical therapy. Most gas explosions or leaks result in catastrophic damages and potentially the loss of life. Wrongful death claims are evaluated under an entirely different metric than regular personal injury claims.
To approximate a total case value, you can add up your total economic damages and then multiply that figure by 1.5 or 2 (for moderate injuries) to account for pain and suffering, which will give you a rough range of what a jury might award might be or how an insurance company could value your claim. For serious injuries with significant permanent injury, you might multiply your total economic damages by 4 or 5 for those severe cases. For incidents that “shock the conscience,” like car accidents involving drunk drivers, we have seen victims awarded damages 10x or more of their economic damages. In a recent drunk driving case, our team of car accident attorneys in Raleigh negotiated a settlement for our clients that was 13x their medical bills.
14. What Should I Do If I Suspect or Find a Gas Leak in North Carolina?
If you suspect a gas leak, the most important action you can take is to leave that area immediately. Gas is volatile, has flammable and explosive capabilities, and is also toxic to breathe. Once you are in a safe place, you should call 911 immediately to alert the fire department of the suspected leak. Once the fire department is on their way, you can also consider contacting your natural gas provider (like Dominion Energy). Most natural gas providers have 24/7 suspected gas leak emergency numbers where you can report the smell or signs of a gas leak. If the gas leak is occurring at a street level connection or junction, the gas company will need to stop service to the area and investigate for underground gas migration, which can cause a natural gas leak to spread and accumulate in nearby basements and crawlspaces. Accumulation of natural gas in confined spaces increases the chance of an explosion.
15. Does Pain and Suffering Include Medical Bills (and What’s the Difference)?
No, pain and suffering is different from economic damages like medical bills and lost wages. Pain and suffering relates to the hassle, anxiety, stress, actual pain, and trauma you suffered as a result of the injury. But you have a right to claim full compensation for your injuries, which means medical bills, other economic damages, permanent disability, AND pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is on top of and in addition to your economic damages, like medical bills.
16. What Is Fair Compensation for Pain and Suffering for a Gas Explosion or Leak Claim in Raleigh, NC?
There is no magic formula for determining what amount of pain and suffering is fair in your gas explosion or leak case. In general, pain and suffering is proportional to the injuries you suffered. If your injuries are severe and/or caused permanent disability, the more pain and suffering compensation would be fair to award in your case. In a case with severe injuries and lifelong suffering, you might be awarded pain and suffering that is 5x or more of your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc). In minor injury cases, your pain and suffering may be slightly less or equal to the amount of your medical bills.
However, sometimes there is a disconnect between what is just and fair in your case vs. what an insurance company or at-fault party will actually pay. A good gas explosion lawyer has experience and even tools that can investigate recent judgments and settlements in your area to give you the best leverage in settlement negotiations so you can recover what is fair.
17. Why Are Gas Leaks So Dangerous in Raleigh, NC?
Household appliances and devices can ignite the gas causing it to explode
Gas leaks can cause asphyxiation and death even if they don’t ignite
Gas leaks don’t always have a smell; the odor additive can be filtered out through soil (underground leaks) or other media
Gas leaks are common for aging equipment and pipe connections, which are rarely inspected
18. What Are the Common Causes of Gas Explosions and Leaks in North Carolina?
Gas explosion accidents can occur for several reasons, including equipment failure, human error, and natural disasters.
Gas Equipment Failure:
Gas lines and appliances can fail due to a range of factors, including poor maintenance, aging infrastructure, and faulty installation. These failures can lead to gas leaks that can result in explosions. In some cases, gas leaks can occur due to a lack of safety features or insufficient safety measures.
Human Error - Lack of Inspections or Installation Errors:
Gas explosion accidents can also occur due to human error. For example, a worker may fail to properly install a gas line or appliance, leading to a gas leak. Similarly, a homeowner may fail to follow safety guidelines when using gas appliances, leading to an explosion.
Natural Disasters:
Natural disasters can also contribute to gas explosion accidents. For example, a severe storm or earthquake may damage gas lines or appliances, leading to gas leaks and potential explosions.
19. Can I File a Gas Explosion or Leak Injury Claim Without a Lawyer in Raleigh, NC?
Yes, you can file a gas explosion or leak lawsuit without a lawyer. However, if you bring your case on your own, you’re subject to the same rules and standards as you would be if you had an injury attorney. You are required to follow the same formalities and rules when filing court documents. The rules of discovery, admission of evidence, and civil procedure will still apply to you in your case. If you make a mistake, there is a chance that you case will be dismissed or thrown out. While you can file a civil lawsuit without an attorney, your best chance to recover the maximum amount possible is working with an experienced gas explosion and leak lawyer.
20. How Do I Find the Best Raleigh Gas Explosion or Leak Lawyer for My Case?
Like every profession, injury lawyers vary in experience, skills, style, dedication, and levels of customer service so “best” can mean different things to different people. It’s a good idea to see if the injury lawyers you are considering have positive client testimonials, good (and recent) case results, and are passionate about helping others. It depends on whether you want to hire a law firm that works with thousands of clients every year or a smaller firm that only focuses on a limited number of cases. The relationship between lawyer and client requires a significant amount of trust and communication over an extended period of time, so the most important factor is choosing a lawyer that “feels right” to you.
North Carolina Gas Leaks and Explosion Laws
One key legal consideration for gas leaks and explosions in North Carolina is negligence. Negligence occurs when a person or entity fails to exercise reasonable care and this failure results in harm to another party. In the case of gas leaks and explosions, negligence may be attributed to gas companies that fail to maintain their equipment or properly inspect their pipelines, property owners who fail to address gas leaks or other hazards, or equipment manufacturers whose products are faulty or defective.
When a gas leak or explosion occurs, liability can fall on a variety of parties, depending on the circumstances. In some cases, gas companies may be held liable for the explosion if they failed to properly maintain their equipment or inspect their pipelines for leaks. Property owners may also be held liable if they failed to address a gas leak or other hazard on their property. Equipment manufacturers may be liable if their products were faulty or defective.
Raleigh Gas Explosions and Leaks Statistics
Gas explosion and leaks are a significant threat to the safety and well-being of North Carolina residents. And they occur most often that you probably care to think. From 2010-2021, 2600 gas incidents (defined as explosions or large-scale leaks) occurred nationwide. While North Carolina has taken steps to regulate the gas industry and improve safety standards, regulations that can be found here, the risk of gas explosion accidents still exists. When these accidents occur, there are questions related to liability, causes of the explosion, and consequences of gas explosion accidents in North Carolina.
One of the most significant gas explosion accidents in recent North Carolina history occurred in 2019 in downtown Durham. A gas leak led to an explosion that killed two people and injured more than two dozen others. The explosion destroyed a popular restaurant and damaged several other buildings in the area. The North Carolina Utilities Commission, which regulates natural gas usage in North Carolina, determined that a fiber cable installing breached the natural gas line, which led to the explosion. The incident was a stark reminder that gas leaks and explosions occur regularly in the state, and residents and businesses must remain vigilant to ensure their safety.
Raleigh Gas Explosion or Leak Cases We Handle
We can help with any gas injury claim, but the accidents listed below are the most common gas injury claims we handle in North Carolina:
Gas migration
Service line gas leaks
Gas appliances
Water heater
Asphyxiation
Carbon dioxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Transitioning fitting leaks
Home fires
Home explosions
Gas meter leaks
Gas equipment failures
Propane tank leaks
Propane grill explosions
Raleigh Gas Explosion Lawyer Cost
For transparent, upfront pricing on what our trial attorneys charge to help you with your Raleigh gas explosion or leak case, please click below.
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Even when the cause of a gas leak or explosion may not be obvious, our experienced Raleigh gas explosion lawyers can help. Our lawyers will fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve for your damages.