Leaking Propane Tanks and Propane Explosions. Do I Have a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Enjoying warm summer weather and throwing a rack of ribs on the grill has to be one of the most memorable ways to spend a summer day. But, while it may be a classic American pastime, grilling certainly is not without its risks. With good BBQ comes propane powered grills, fire, and the constant risk of injury. Although many of us exercise caution around fire, all the caution in the world won’t protect you and your loved ones when the grill, propane valve, or propane tank are defective to begin with or are lacking essential safety features.

Anytime a product relies on propane or gas, there is a potential for fire and explosions. This is why the industry must adhere to high safety standards when designing and manufacturing these products. The reality is that many of these manufacturers try to save money on safety features that could have saved lives while their propane tanks or grills were being used by consumers. The mere fact that your gas grill or propane tank caused a fire does not mean it is your fault. After all, we expect manufacturers to design these products in a way that makes out of control fires or explosions extremely unlikely.

The consequences for you and your family can be catastrophic when a defective propane tank, defective cylinder valve, or defective BBQ or grill are involved. The fires and explosions that can result because of a careless manufacturer can leave people severely burned, disfigured, or worse. Burn victims can often be left feeling that they are responsible for causing the fire. As a result, the victims of a manufacturer’s negligence blame themselves instead of contacting an attorney who can investigate the true root cause of the accident. If you or a loved one have been hurt by a propane product, contact us for a free consultation–we will investigate whether you have a claim without charging you a penny.

What Kinds of Incidents Involving Propane Tanks Lead to Lawsuits?

Propane is a common fuel source for many household appliances, including grills and torches. However, when propane tanks or valves are defective, it can lead to fires, explosions, and severe injuries. Many severe burn injury lawsuits are brought because a family has purchased a gas grill or propane tank with a faulty valve or other defect that may cause a leak. The National Fire Prevention Association produced a “Home Grill Fires” report that identified an annual average of nearly 9,000 home fires caused by grills, barbecues, and hibachis. Nearly half of the people who experienced grilling injuries received thermal burns.

These kinds of accidents are not rare or unusual. In one reported case, a homeowner lit his grill to start cooking for his July 4th party when his grill outright exploded in a wall of fire. The sudden explosion caused second-degree burns across his body. This case is a prime example of a defective gas grill that was manufactured with poor quality control. Leaks leading to fires, explosions, and injuries are by no means unique to gas grills. Propane torches and any product that uses a propane tank can lead to similar severe burn injuries when a product has been designed with inadequate safety features.

If you or someone you know was hurt by a fire, propane or gas leak, or explosion, a personal injury action against the responsible manufacturers must be considered.

What Are the Different Kinds of Propane Injury Lawsuits?

If you or someone you know has been injured by a propane-related incident, there are different kinds of propane injury lawsuits you can pursue. Product defect lawsuits are generally the best avenue for consumers to pursue when they have been injured by a gas grill, defective propane valve, or other defective product with a propane tank. These lawsuits are typically based on a design defect, a manufacturing defect, or a warning/marketing/advertising defect.

Investigating the material failures involved in a propane tank incident requires engineering and chemical expertise and a legal team that knows what to look for. Our law firm will work with some of the top experts in the field to determine the cause of the leak and fire that led to any catastrophic burn injuries. Once we call our experts to the field, you can expect that our attorneys will identify the strongest theories to proceed with a product defect lawsuit.

In some cases, a negligence lawsuit may be appropriate. Negligence lawsuits are the ordinary type of claim filed in most personal injury cases. Propane fire injury lawsuits for negligence may be necessary when there was an improper installation of propane equipment, the labeling on a propane tank was missing or incorrect, the propane tank was damaged while being refilled, OSHA or other regulatory standards were not being followed, or the propane tank or propane torch was not being responsibly maintained or inspected prior to sale.

Propane Safety Tips: How to Prevent Propane Accidents

While propane accidents can be devastating, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of them happening. Here are some propane safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Properly Store Propane Tanks. Keep propane tanks in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Avoid storing propane tanks indoors, in a basement, or in an enclosed space.
2. Check for Leaks. Before using your propane grill or torch, check for leaks by applying a solution of water and dish soap to the hose and connections. If you see bubbles, there is a leak. Turn off the propane immediately and have the leak repaired.
3. Follow Manufacturer Instructions. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using propane equipment, including proper assembly, maintenance, and usage.
4. Use Propane Equipment Outdoors. Never use propane equipment indoors or in an enclosed space, including garages or tents.
5. Fire Extinguisher. Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a propane-related fire.

By following these propane safety tips, you can reduce the risk of propane accidents and help keep you and your loved ones safe. That said, propane accidents can still happen even with proper precautions, so it’s always important to be vigilant and cautious when using propane equipment. Also, many consumers blame themselves for a fire or explosion that caused injuries, and feel that no one will take their lawsuit seriously. Don’t fall into this trap of blaming yourself. Companies count on you doing exactly that in order to avoid responsibility for their actions.

If you believe a product may be defective, and that defect caused injury or death to you or your loved ones, call us now and let our kind and compassionate team of attorneys evaluate your case for free. We have seen many cases where people initially thought the horrific injuries they experienced were their own fault, but later came to find out that the accident could have been entirely prevented if the manufacturer installed the necessary safety features on its product.

Propane Injury Attorneys

SOS Injury Lawyers represents victims who have been injured in fires caused by leaking propane tanks, faulty propane valves, propane torches, and defective barbecue grills. Our law firm places great importance on ensuring that corporations design propane tanks, propane valves, and grills in a way that puts the safety of their customers over the profits of their shareholders and owners. When manufacturers poorly design or produce shoddy products that cause serious injuries, they should be held responsible. If you or someone you know has been injured or has died in a propane related injury, call our firm to discuss your case for free at (702) 720-3030.