Investigators of a gas explosion in Albert Lea, Minnesota in April 2009 have determined that the explosion stemmed from an uncapped natural gas valve that entered the house’s kitchen, according to a story in the Albert Lea Tribune.1
The Albert Lea, Minnesota gas explosion injured 3 people and destroyed a house on Academy Avenue. Alliant Energy was the gas provider for that house, according to the investigation. The house was being rented.
According to the official report from the Albert Lea Fire Department:
The cause of this fire is accidental. Based on interviews and the scene exam, the gas valve to the kitchen was opened. Since it was not capped, natural gas entered the house and an unknown ignition source ignited the natural gas that had migrated to the upper level. After the initial explosion there was still gas entering the kitchen area and that was ignited. Fire then spread to the rest of the main floor.
The uncapped gas valve was one that would be used for a gas stove. The stove was electric. An interview with the landlords of the house suggested that they had put in the electric stove when they bought the house.
Gas Line Explosion Lawsuit: Liability of Landlord
If there is a gas explosion in a rented house, the owner of the house (landlord) is usually liable, meaning the landlord is responsible for paying burn victims and their families compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, loss of quality of life and other damages.
The insurer of the rented house is usually the party that pays the injured parties and/or the families of people killed in a gas explosion involving a rented house.
Gas Line Explosion Lawsuit: Liability of Gas Provider
Depending on the facts of the case, the gas provider may be found liable for a gas explosion in a house that has injured or killed occupants of the house.
Gas companies often deny liability and fight hard to prove that they are not at fault for the gas explosion. Because of this, our law firm immediately hires fire and explosion experts to reconstruct the accident. It is important to hire a law firm that has the resources to do this because these cases generally hinge on the quality of the expert witnesses, their testimony and the attorney’s use of this testimony to prove the case.
Gas Explosion Lawsuit: Product Liability
Every gas explosion case should be carefully investigated by an attorney who has product liability experience. These cases often involve defective products. Pritzker Olsen attorneys have a national reputation in the area of product liability litigation and have appeared on CBS News, Fox News and other news programs discussing product liability lawsuits and product safety.
When we represent people in product liability cases, our clients often want to take action to prevent similar incidents. Our law firm fights alongside our clients for law and policy changes that will make products safer and hold manufacturers accountable.
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Resource: Sarah Stultz, Uncapped line is cause of explosion, Albert Lea Tribune, June 12, 2009.
