A 72-year-old Elk River man who was critically injured in an explosion at his detached workshop continues to recover at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Hospital officials told the Star Tribune that Vern Ohman is lucky to have survived the blast that the state Office of Pipeline Safety is now investigating. Police have said that Ohman flipped an electrical switch to use an electric saw in the workshop, causing a spark that ignited propane in a line connecting the shed to the house. There were reports that Ohman had paid to have his propane tank filled a day or two before the explosion.
Dr. Leslie Smith, assistant director of HCMC’s Burn Center, said Ohman also was hit on the head with a piece of debris in the blast. He is expected to receive treatment for several weeks.
The explosion sent shock waves through Ohman’s Elk River neighborhood and did damage to the doors and windows of his own house. A neighbor, Merry Brodzinski, told the Star Tribune that the force of the explosion cracked the walls and ceiling of her home and that they have temporarily moved out while they make sure the house is structurally sound.
Minnesota burn injury lawyer Fred Pritzker has more than 30 years of experience practicing personal injury law and has litigated numerous explosion cases. Pritzker can help you understand the kind of burn injury compensation that you are entitled to.
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