With more people moving to Texas and an ensuing building boom, residential and commercial construction workers, as well as road builders, have an increased likelihood of encountering pipelines when doing their work. While these workers rely on maps to show them where pipelines are located, those maps could be wrong. Furthermore, mistakes can be made during an excavation that damages a pipeline. The risk of an explosion is very real. Injuries to construction workers, road workers, nearby residents, and even those driving by can be catastrophic. At Ted Lyon Law, we help injured people get financial recovery after pipeline accidents and explosions. Call a pipeline accident attorney from our firm at 877-Ted-Lyon (833-5966) for a free consultation to discuss the common causes of Texas pipeline explosions.
What Are Common Causes of Pipeline Explosions?
We have a well-earned reputation for achieving successful verdicts and settlements in cases of home explosions, workplace fires, and deaths resulting from leaks in gas pipelines. Our Texas firm is experienced in investigating the causes of oil and gas accidents and explosions. These causes may include:
- Defective Pipeline Parts: Oil and gas pipelines are under extreme pressure on a nearly continual basis. Even the slightest defect in a pipeline part could lead to leaks or explosions.
- Metal Fatigue and Corrosion: Over time, the metal walls of an oil and gas pipeline can weaken, putting it at increased risk of failure. Owners and operators have a responsibility to ensure the integrity and safety of the pipeline, and they are liable when a failure to maintain the pipeline or equipment leads to a gas leak, fire, or explosion.
- Improper Installation: As Texas sees an influx of people, more companies are setting up business; more homes are being built. This means more pipeline installations and an increased risk of errors and shoddy workmanship. Improperly installed gas pipelines can result in gas leaks. When leaking gas comes into contact with a pilot light or a spark, the stage is set for an explosion.
- Failure to Properly Mark Pipeline Locations: Before any kind of excavation project can begin, a specialist is brought in to mark underground electrical and gas lines. While this seems like a simple step, there are several ways it can go wrong, such as if a contractor fails to request the marking of existing lines, the company fails to mark the lines promptly or provides inaccurate information, the company that installed the pipe deviated from the initial plan and didn’t update the map, or the surveyor marked the pipeline improperly.
- Inadequate Safety Practices: Under state and federal law, the pipeline company is required to implement safety programs that protect workers and the general public. A safety plan will include guidelines for preventing catastrophic events and action plans for responding to them when they occur.
Proving the shortcomings of a company’s safety program is difficult, but in some cases it is critical to proving fault and achieving a financial recovery in a pipeline accident lawsuit. That’s why we stress to those who contact our law firm after a pipeline explosion that experience matters.
Call a Texas Attorney for Help With Claims When Errors Cause a Pipeline Explosion
At Ted Lyon Law, our attorneys have extensive experience in handling claims resulting from metal fatigue and pipeline corrosion, safety procedure errors, and other causes of Texas pipeline explosions. Our lawyers understand the regulatory requirements associated with the surveillance, maintenance, and inspection of pipelines. We conduct a thorough investigation, and when appropriate, we engage the services of engineers, metallurgists, and other experts who can help us identify the exact cause of the pipeline failure.
Call us at 877-Ted-Lyon (833-5966) or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We handle pipeline accident litigation on a contingency fee basis. That means we only earn a legal fee if we win your case. Home and hospital consultations are available if you are unable to visit our office. Our firm has been recognized in many ways over the years, including selection to the Super Lawyers list and an AV Preeminent Rating* in Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system.
*AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and ethical standards.
