Pipeline explosions are among the most devastating things that could happen to a community. They leave victims facing severe injuries, property damage, and lengthy recovery periods. These catastrophic events can happen in both rural and urban areas, which means anyone could fall victim to these events. Understanding what causes these explosions helps victims recognize potential negligence and protect their legal rights after an incident.

Primary Causes of Pipeline Explosions

Pipeline explosions rarely happen without warning signs. Many incidents are caused by identifiable problems that companies could have prevented through proper maintenance, inspection, and safety protocols. Much like the most common causes of drilling rig accidents, most pipeline explosions are caused by negligence. These are the most common causes of pipeline explosions:

Aging infrastructure

The pipeline network in the United States is dangerously old, with many lines operating beyond their intended lifespan. Older pipes use outdated materials like cast iron that grow brittle over time. Corrosion eats away at metal pipes from both inside and outside, weakening walls until they can no longer contain pressurized gas or liquids. Pipeline companies may delay expensive replacement projects to favor profits, allowing lines to deteriorate despite the known risks.

Excavation damage

Construction and excavation work near natural gas pipelines creates immediate explosion risks. Contractors who fail to check for buried lines before digging can strike and rupture pipes with heavy equipment. Even when workers know pipelines exist, inaccurate markings or outdated maps can cause accidental strikes. Pipeline companies must clearly mark their lines and respond quickly to location requests, but some fail to maintain accurate records or provide timely responses.

Equipment failure

Critical safety equipment like pressure regulators, valves, and monitoring systems can malfunction or fail completely. Faulty pressure relief valves may not release dangerous buildups of pressure within pipes. Damaged shut-off valves can also prevent workers from stopping gas flow during emergencies. Pipeline companies must regularly inspect and maintain this equipment, but some skip important maintenance to reduce costs or keep lines operating without interruption.

Natural forces

Environmental factors can place additional stress on pipeline systems. Ground shifts from earthquakes or settling soil can bend and break pipes. Floods wash away supporting soil, leaving pipelines vulnerable to collapse. Extreme temperature changes cause pipes to expand and contract, which can eventually lead to cracks or complete breaks. While companies can’t prevent natural events, they must design, maintain, and monitor their systems to withstand expected environmental conditions in each location.

Consequences of Pipeline Explosions

Pipeline explosions have devastating ripple effects that can impact communities for years after the initial blast. While the immediate destruction is what tends to make headlines, these pipeline incidents cause long-lasting damage to public health, local environments, and regional economies. Just like the most common industrial accidents, some of the most devastating consequences of gas pipeline explosions are:

• Community safety risks: Explosions can level entire neighborhoods and damage buildings far from the blast site. Survivors typically suffer from severe burns, smoke inhalation, and traumatic injuries from flying debris or collapsing structures. The risk of secondary explosions can prevent residents from returning home for weeks or months, which can cause major disruptions to their lives.
• Health effects: Pipeline explosions release toxic chemicals and gases into the air, soil, and water supplies. Exposure to these contaminants can cause immediate respiratory problems and long-term health issues like cancer, organ damage, and neurological disorders. First responders and cleanup crews face additional risks from prolonged exposure during recovery operations.
• Environmental devastation: Pipeline substances can contaminate soil and groundwater, killing wildlife and destroying natural habitats. Oil and chemical spills may take decades to clean up, while some environmental damage can be permanent. Underground water supplies can become unsafe for drinking or agriculture, which forces communities to find alternative water sources.
• Property damage: Beyond destroying homes and buildings near the explosion, these incidents can damage infrastructure like roads, power lines, and water systems. Property values generally plummet in affected areas, leaving homeowners with massive financial losses even if their homes do survive.
• Economic impact: Local businesses may close temporarily or permanently after an explosion, causing job losses and reduced tax revenue. Agricultural land can become unusable, which can completely devastate farming communities. Tourism tends to decline in affected areas, while insurance rates increase for nearby properties. 
• Long-term community effects: Pipeline explosions can tear apart established neighborhoods as some residents permanently relocate. Communities may struggle to rebuild infrastructure and attract new businesses after an explosion. The psychological trauma of experiencing a natural gas pipeline explosion can also affect residents for years to come.
• Infrastructure disruption: Pipeline explosions damage or destroy critical energy infrastructure that serves multiple regions. The sudden loss of fuel supply can force factories and businesses to shut down, hospitals to rely on backup generators, and utilities to implement emergency conservation measures.

Legal Support for Victims 

Pipeline explosion victims need experienced legal representation to file a complex personal injury lawsuit against powerful energy companies. These cases generally involve multiple responsible parties, including pipeline operators, maintenance contractors, and equipment manufacturers. An experienced attorney can help you investigate the explosion’s cause, identify all liable parties, and build a strong case for maximum compensation.

If you suffered damages from a pipeline explosion, seek legal representation before accepting a quick settlement from pipeline companies or their insurers. These initial offers rarely cover the full extent of your losses, especially long-term medical expenses and ongoing property damage. An experienced lawyer will calculate all current and future damages so you can receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Types of legal claims available

Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to seek compensation in a few different ways:

• Negligence claims: These are the most common types of claims against explosion cases. Victims must prove that the pipeline company was negligent in causing the explosion. This involves proving the four elements of negligence, which is establishing that the company owed you a duty of care, that it breached said duty of care, that this breach caused your injuries, and that you suffered damages from said injuries. Negligence claims can cover a wide range of damages, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Strict liability: Some stateshold pipeline operators strictly liable for explosions regardless of negligence. This simplifies the legal intervention process significantly since victims don’t need to prove that the company behaved carelessly. However, strict liability claims may limit the types of damages victims can recover compared to negligence cases. These claims work best for straightforward property damage cases. 
• Product liability: These claims target the manufacturers of defective pipeline components or safety equipment. Victims must show that the defective product contributed to the explosion. Product liability cases can be particularly valuable when equipment failure caused the explosion, but that tends to be difficult to prove. 
• Environmental claims: Pipeline explosions that contaminate soil or water supplies may be subject to environmental damage claims. These cases focus on cleanup costs and the long-term environmental impact of the explosion. While these claims can lead to substantial settlements, they typically take longer to resolve due to the difficulty of proving environmental damage.
• Wrongful death: Families who lose loved ones in pipeline explosions can file wrongful death claims. These cases focus on recovering compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. Wrongful death claims can result in significant settlements but need to be handled with sensitivity as the victim’s family deals with a catastrophic loss.

Importance of Legal Representation 

Pipeline explosion cases involve many legal and technical issues that most victims can’t navigate alone. Power companies will deploy teams of lawyers to minimize their liability, making it extremely important for victims to have skilled legal representation to protect their interests. An attorney with experience fighting for pipeline explosion victims understands how to investigate these incidents and build a strong case for compensation.

Legal assistance programs can help explosion victims who might not otherwise afford representation. Many state bar associations offer referral services to connect victims with experienced attorneys who handle pipeline cases. Some law firms also work with legal aid organizations to provide pro bono services for qualifying victims. Finally, most reputable personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they won’t charge the victims anything unless they recover compensation for them.

The Role of Legal Aid and Victim Assistance Networks 

Victims can struggle to understand their rights and access available resources after a pipeline explosion. Victim assistance networks connect survivors with emergency services, temporary housing, and mental health support. These organizations also help victims document their losses and navigate insurance claims while coordinating with legal aid providers to help victims understand their options for seeking compensation.

If you or a loved one were injured in or suffered damages from a pipeline explosion, contact Morris & Dewett today for a free consultation. Our skilled attorneys have decades of experience helping injury victims recover the compensation they deserve. Our team will review your case, explain your legal options, and fight to protect your rights throughout the process.