Apartment Building Demolished In Wappingers Falls Gas Explosion Accident That Left 15 People Injured
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NEW YORK (November 2, 2023) – At least 15 people were injured after a gas explosion accident at an apartment in Wappingers Falls.
Dutchess County officials are saying that the accident took place Thursday evening. Central Hudson Gas & Electric workers were performing “routine maintenance” on gas lines when the explosion took place.
Numerous people sustained injuries after being trapped underneath the rubble of the collapsed buildings. Multiple people have been listed in critical condition.
Both Central Hudson Gas & Electric and the Red Cross are working to help people who have been displaced by the blast. Arial footage of the aftermath shows that one building was completely leveled.
A second apartment building has major damage to the room, top floor and multiple units. A full investigation into the Wappingers Falls gas explosion remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Wappingers Falls Gas Explosion Accidents
Gas leaks are one of the leading causes of residential explosions in the United States. According to Reuters, “Throughout the U.S., nearly 33% of all reported gas leak incidents resulted in fire and 13% resulted in explosions. From 2010 to late 2021, 122 people were killed and another 603 were injured in gas leak incidents.” There are a number of common causes of gas line explosion accidents.
- Construction: Many gas explosion accidents occur during construction. In particular, construction workers may inadvertently hit gas lines while they are excavating.
- Corrosion: Gas lines naturally corrode over time with weather patterns and wear. This can make them susceptible to leaks and weakness.
- Mechanical Failures: Gas lines are susceptible to mechanical failures with respect to the valves, fitting and pressure regulators. This can cause gas to build up and lead to an explosion.
- Human Error: A gas line may have been improperly installed or safety regulations may have been overlooked.
Depending on the facts of any case, a gas company could be liable if a person is injured in a gas line explosion. All property owners in New York have a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This must be done for the protection of all persons on a property whose presence is reasonably foreseeable. When a gas company has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with a property, steps must be taken to remedy the dangerous condition.
A gas explosion could be caused by the negligent actions of gas company employees. For example, gas lines need to be regularly maintained. But safety regulations related to maintenance are not always followed. For example, maintenance workers may have failed to properly isolate and depressurize lines as work is being done. Workers may have performed welding or cutting too close to fumes. Victims of gas explosion accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Burn injuries
- Blast injuries which can include being struck by shrapnel
- Inhalation injuries from smoke and toxic fumes
- Hearing loss
- Psychological trauma
Any person that is injured in a gas explosion may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the costs that can come with serious injuries. Sadly, though, construction companies will often go to great lengths to deny liability if one of their workers causes an explosion. This is why it is so important to seek legal counsel early on if you’ve been injured.
Getting Legal Help After New York Gas Explosion Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Wappingers Falls gas line explosion accident? It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Wappingers Falls gas explosion accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
