Injuries from explosions are among the most catastrophic, often resulting in lifelong consequences. Victims may suffer from severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, hearing loss, amputations, and psychological trauma — all of which require extensive medical care and legal support.
If you or a loved one has been harmed or lost their life in an explosion caused by negligence, a qualified attorney can help you seek justice and financial recovery.
At Kline & Specter, PC, we offer unparalleled legal representation for explosion injury victims across Philadelphia and nationwide. With over 50 attorneys — including five who are also medical doctors — our firm is uniquely equipped to handle the complex medical and legal aspects of explosion-related cases.
Understanding Explosion Injury Claims
Explosion accidents can occur in various settings, including industrial sites, apartment buildings, construction zones, and public spaces. Common causes include:
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Explosion injury victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency medical care and long-term treatment
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Property damage
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
Each case is different, and our legal team will carefully assess the full extent of your damages to pursue the maximum recovery available.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Explosion?
Explosion injury cases often involve multiple liable parties, such as:
- Property owners or landlords
- Utility companies
- Manufacturers of defective equipment
- Construction companies
- Government agencies
Identifying the responsible parties requires an in-depth investigation. Kline & Specter's legal and medical teams collaborate to construct compelling cases supported by expert testimony, forensic evidence, and decades of trial experience.
What to Do Immediately After an Explosion Incident
If you're involved in an explosion incident, prompt action can make a significant difference. Here are some essential steps to take:
- Prioritize your safety first. Move away from danger and seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries aren't obvious.
- Report the incident to emergency services and ensure an official record is created. If possible, document the scene with photos, gather witness information, and preserve any evidence.
- Avoid speaking to insurance or company representatives before consulting an attorney.
- Explosions often involve complex liability. Contacting an experienced explosion injury attorney early is crucial to protect your rights and begin building a strong case.
Common Explosion Injury Types
Explosion injuries can be severe, life-altering, and, in many cases, fatal.
- Burns are among the most common. They may require skin grafts and long-term wound care and leave permanent scarring.
- Blunt force trauma may result from flying debris or the blast wave itself. This can lead to fractures, internal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries.
- Respiratory damage is also frequent, caused by inhaling smoke, toxic chemicals, or superheated air. It can potentially lead to long-term breathing problems or lung disease.
Each of these injuries can require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. An explosion injury attorney can help victims pursue compensation for these serious and often complex medical conditions.
Why Choose Kline & Specter for Your Explosion Injury Case?
Kline & Specter has litigated numerous highly publicized explosion cases involving both workplace injuries and premises liability. The following are some of the most noteworthy cases.
The Motiva Case
Kline & Specter conducted an extensive investigation into a deadly 2001 explosion at a Motiva Enterprises oil refinery in Delaware City, Delaware. The blast, caused by a leaking tanker, killed construction worker Jeffrey Davis, who was thrown into a vat of sulfuric acid while repairing catwalks on refinery tanks.
The firm's investigation — which involved hiring 14 experts and reviewing 40,000 documents — uncovered critical evidence that had been missed by government authorities, including the true cause of the explosion and clear negligence on the part of Motiva.
The result was a landmark $36.4 million settlement for Davis's family in 2003, believed to be the largest settlement ever secured for a single worker fatality in the U.S. In the following years, Motiva also faced significant penalties: a $10 million criminal fine in 2005 for negligence and environmental harm, and an additional $16.2 million in a civil settlement with state and federal regulators due to the release of more than a million gallons of acid and petroleum products into the Delaware River.
The Village Green Case
In the Village Green apartments case, six people died and six were injured in an explosion and fire caused when basement flooding dislodged a clothes dryer and resulted in a gas leak. The incident occurred in June 2001, following heavy rains that had caused flooding in the apartment complex on several previous occasions.
A three-year investigation by Kline & Specter concluded that the explosion could have been avoided had just a few more bolts been used to properly secure the dryer's gas line. The firm ultimately won a $40.5 million settlement for the estates of six people who were killed and others who were injured.
The Cerritelli Case
Tom Kline achieved a substantial settlement in a case against PSE&G and subcontractor Henkels & McCoy for the family of an Ewing Township, New Jersey, woman who was killed when a fiery explosion leveled her condominium complex. Linda Cerritelli, 62, had been working from home when the midday explosion occurred, damaging 55 homes.
The McCarty Case
Kline & Specter also obtained a settlement for an older couple seriously injured when their Cape May County, New Jersey, house exploded because a propane tank on their property was not removed or properly disconnected when they switched to natural gas. James McCarty suffered third-degree burns over a quarter of his body while his wife, Evelyn, suffered two severely broken ankles.
Discuss Your Case Today
If you've been injured in an explosion, don't wait to protect your rights. Contact Kline & Specter to discuss your unique legal situation. Call 215-772-1000 or submit our online form.
Kline & Specter provides free and confidential evaluations of potential cases. Kline & Specter handles cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. For cases outside those states, the law firm works with local attorneys in each state as applicable.
