Kansas City Explosion Injury Lawyer

Explosions are sudden, violent events. They often cause catastrophic injuries to those who are nearby when they occur. The large number of industrial factories and plants in Kansas City means that unfortunately explosions here are not unheard of. The production of the many types of ammunition that takes places in plants like these is another reason for this.

Residents of Kansas City might be injured by an explosion at work, in a car accident, or as a result of a dangerously defective product. Explosion injuries can be severe. In some cases, the effects may be lifelong. Following such a serious injury, a Kansas City explosion injury attorney can inform you of possible legal options, as well as any next steps to take. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury in an explosion, contact Wendt Law for a free consultation.

Where Can Explosion Injuries Occur?

At Wendt Law, we have experience representing clients who have sustained injuries as a result of explosions of all different kinds. Fires and explosions may be accidental or intentional, and they can take place in a variety of different settings.

A few examples of these include:

  • Homes and residential areas: Explosions in the home or in residential areas could happen as a result of things such as gas explosions or power line accidents. Another common reason is cooking equipment not being properly monitored or being defective. This is the cause of 42% reported home structure fires.
  • Manufacturing facilities and plants: This is often due to the flammable nature of the work that takes place in these locations.
  • Vehicles: this includes cars, trucks and aircrafts.
  • Large outdoor areas: This includes parks, forests and outdoor wildlife areas.

Types of Explosion Injuries

Explosion injuries can include burn injuries (ranging from first to third-degree burns), nerve damage, sprains, spinal cord injuries, brain damage, respiratory injuries, eye damage and blindness, internal organ injuries, and broken bones.

Explosion Injuries in the Kansas City Workplace

In the state of Kansas, employers have to carry workers’ compensation insurance and provide workers’ compensation benefits to employees. This is in place to provide you with compensation in the event of a work-related accident.

The system is ‘no-fault’, so you won’t need to prove your employer was at fault to receive compensation. However, if you do collect these benefits, your ability to pursue further compensation will be limited. This means even if your employer was fully or partially at fault for your injuries, you will no longer have the right to sue them for negligence.

The good thing about workers’ compensation claims is that they will pay for all your medical care. They may also pay for disability benefits in the event of catastrophic injury.

However, not all of your lost wages will be covered by your claim; only a portion of them will. For workers who live paycheck to paycheck, a workers’ compensation claim may not be enough to survive. In this case, a third-party claim may be necessary.

What Should You Do Following an Explosion Accident?

The first thing you should do is seek emergency medical attention. Even if you do not believe you have been hurt, this is extremely important. Explosion accidents can cause very serious injuries which are not always obvious straight away, and you may have delayed symptoms.

If you are able to take photos of the scene following the explosion, this might capture any potential evidence or possible causes.

Before discussing their case with any insurance companies, all injury victims should first contact a Kansas City personal injury attorney.

How Can an Explosion Injury Lawyer Help?

If you have suffered an injury as a result of an explosion in a public or residential place, or because of a defective product, you may be able to file a claim against the responsible parties. This claim will work to help you receive the appropriate compensation.

Kansas City personal injury attorneys have experience in prioritizing the attorney client relationship, and helping file personal injury lawsuits.

Who Could Be Liable?

There are a number of different parties that may be liable for explosion accidents. Improper use of grills, smoking in prohibited areas, or flammable materials can cause explosions. Property owners, tenants and guests who are nearby to the location of the explosion are often at fault in these cases.

If security features such as fire alarms or smoke detectors failed to go off, a landlord may be held liable for the explosion. If the device itself was faulty or defective, the manufacturer of the product may be held responsible.

If appliances were not installed properly, or the wiring was faulty, and this led to an explosion or a fire, contractors may be held responsible.

What Damages Can You Claim Following an Explosion Injury?

There are three main areas your Kansas City explosion attorney can help you claim compensation for.

  • Economic damages: These include medical bills, any lost wages or loss in earning capacity, and the cost of rehabilitation. If your case involves injury that is permanently disabling, economic damages may even pay for accommodation and housing updates. This could include ramps and handicap accessible doors.
  • General damages: These include any immaterial losses from the accident, such as pain and suffering, or loss in quality of life.
  • Punitive damages: This form of damages is what allows you to punish the defendant for gross negligence. They may also work to deter the defendant from repeating their mistakes again.

    Fire and Explosion Statistics

    • In 2016, an estimated 1,342,000 fires resulted in an estimated 3,390 civilian deaths and 14,650 civilian injuries across the United States. There were also 69 firefighter fatalities and 62,085 firefighter injuries.
    • There were approximately 630 explosions, including bombings, accidental explosions, and undetermined incidents that occurred in 2015.
    • Explosions are typically caused by intentional bombings.
    • Home structure fires are most commonly caused by cooking equipment, at 42% of reported fires.
    • Three out of five deaths caused by fire happened in homes with no smoke alarms or no functional smoke alarms.
    • In 2016, fires resulted in over $10.2 billion in property damage costs.

Contact an Explosion Injury Attorney at Wendt Law.

Explosions are catastrophic events that can have many very serious consequences for victims, such as burn injuries and wrongful death. It may be the case that a third party, such as a landlord or manufacturer, was at fault for your injuries.

When filing a personal injury lawsuit, one important part of the process will be determining who is legally responsible for your injuries. As well as this, navigating the complicated legal system and insurance companies can also be difficult. This is why having an experienced law firm on your side is essential.

At Wendt Law, we’re dedicated to holding the legally liable parties responsible. With the help of a Kansas City personal injury lawyer, you can gain appropriate compensation and continue to live your best possible life.

Get in touch for a free consultation. We’ll look over your case and help you decide on the best next steps.

Call 815-880-1134 today.