Propane Tank Explosion Lawyer Serving Clients Across the Nation

Legal Guidance from a Skilled National Gas Explosion Lawyer

According to the Propane Education and Research Council, "propane is a hydrocarbon (C3H8) and is sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, LP-gas, or LPG." Although highly flammable, propane is nontoxic, colorless, and odorless. As such, many companies that work with propane add a scent so that it can be easily detected. There are many dangerous risks associated with using propane, including fire and explosions that can lead to serious injuries as well as death.

Notwithstanding, propane is commonly used by many Americans each day. The most common uses of propane include to fuel furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, outdoor BBQ grills, fireplaces, and certain appliances. Propane is also commonly used to heat homes.

Have you been injured due to a propane tank explosion? Call a national gas explosion attorney at (859) 253-0088 for more information about your legal options. Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC will put more than 40 years of collective experience to work for you.

Propane Safety Precautions

In light of the dangers associated with propane, many people each year are injured or die as a result of using and/or misusing propane. To avoid becoming a victim of propane-related injuries, anyone who uses propane should abide by safety precautions which should be taught by your propane provider.

Take the following safety precautions when handling propane:

• Install an Alarm: Any home or business should install a propane alarm, which is similar to a smoke alarm at the lowest level of the floor. Propane is heavier than air so having the alarm on the floor means propane can be more easily detected.
• Store Propane Outdoors: Propane should always be stored outdoors. Never put a propane tank in a confined place like a garage, crawlspace or shed since it may explode.
• Read Instructions: Always read the instructions that come with the propane tanks or propane device. Users of propane products should learn where and how to use the master shut off valve in case of a leak.
• Refill before Empty: When refilling a propane tank, it should be filled before it is completely empty. If you are trying to refill a BBQ propane tank and it is completely empty, ask the company who is refilling the tank for you to purge the tank before they refill it.
• Smell Gas? Turn Off Gas Appliances: If you smell gas, turn off all gas appliances immediately. Contact the gas company or the fire department immediately.
• Suspect a Propane Leak? Get Out of the House: If you suspect that there is a propane leak, get everyone out of the house immediately and call 911 from a safe distance.
• Do Not Open Windows: When people believe that there is a leak, they naturally want to open the windows. However, do not do this because it can cause a change in the temperature leading to a fire or explosion.
• Learn the Smell of Propane: Become familiar with the odor of propane. Some gas companies can provide you with a scratch-and-sniff card.

Even if you take all of the above precautions, companies that manufacture, produce or deliver propane are sometimes negligent in how they handle their propane and how they educate their customers. In fact, there have been several propane-related explosions across the United States caused by manufacturer negligence. One of the most notable cases was in Murray County, Kentucky, where a leak in a liquid propane line beneath a single story home caused an explosion which killed a 71 year old man and injured four others.

Reach Out to Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC for a Free Consult!

If you sustained serious injuries as a result of a propane fire or explosion that was caused by another's negligence, contact the experienced and knowledgeable attorneys of Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC for a free consultation. We have the experience and knowledge to help you get the compensation that you deserve. To date, we’ve recovered millions for our clients, and represent clients across the nation.