Why Explosions Are So Often Deadly

Films and television shows make explosions exciting: will the hero survive? Will the villain perish? The truth, however, is that explosions cause severe injuries and devastating damage to the surrounding areas.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 100 people in the United States died from occupational explosions in 2018. Explosions can occur unexpectedly, whether you are at home or in the workplace. It is important to know and understand the effects that you may experience if you are ever involved in an explosion.

Recent explosions that occurred in California

Recently, there have been many reports of explosions around the Los Angeles area and other California cities. These news reports are shedding light on how common explosions are, and how dangerous they can be. Here are some of the most recent explosions:

• In March 2023, an explosion occurred at an apartment complex in Mammoth Lakes, California. The building collapsed, but the cause of the explosion is still under investigation. After law enforcement officers were able to reach the individuals trapped under the collapsed building, they determined that five people were injured. One person was critically injured.
• In February 2023, a home suddenly exploded in San Francisco, California. Other homes on the street were evacuated for safety reasons. One person died.
• In January 2023, an explosion occurred at the University of Southern California. One person had to be transported to the hospital as a result of their injuries. The explosion happened on campus in the university’s science building.
• In June 2022, a home in Victorville, California exploded. One person was hospitalized for injuries. The cause of the explosion is unknown.
• In April 2022, a huge warehouse explosion occurred in Montclair, California. Four people were hospitalized, and one person was treated for their injuries at the scene of the explosion.

How do explosions happen?

According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, an explosion is a “sudden, fast increase in pressure between two different areas that results in the rapid unplanned disassembly of buildings, vehicles and other things in the immediate vicinity.” While explosions can happen suddenly with no explanation, they often occur due to human error or activity. The following are a few examples of how explosions can occur within seconds:

• A simple spark may be released due to electrical wiring issues and trigger an explosion.
• A product or part may be defective on a machine or item, leading to an explosion.
• A machine is not properly maintained or cleaned, leading to an explosion.
• A fire may erupt, causing a flammable substance to become hot and explode.
• A inexperienced individual may be working with dangerous chemicals, causing an explosion to occur.

While explosions may occur for different reasons, the main cause is an increase in energy. When energy expands very quickly, the risk of an explosion increases. While chemicals, fire, and combustion are common causes of explosions, an explosion can occur without these contributors.

What types of appliances and products could explode, causing you harm?

Your home and workplace are most likely filled with appliances and products that can cause explosions. While they may seem completely safe, many items that you use on a daily basis may have the possibility to catch fire or explode, such as:

• Ovens, stoves, microwaves, pressure cookers, and instant pots
• Gas generators
• Gas and propane grills
• Furnaces
• Heating and air conditioning units
• Water heaters and furnaces
• Glass containers

In reality, any object that is connected to a gas or electricity line has a greater potential for an explosion. So, too, is anything that contains a combustible chemical or product that comes into direct contact with heat or open flames; this is why there are directions on hair spray and household cleaners – even on fire extinguishers – about how and where to store them. All it takes is a small spark, leak, or even lightning, and you may find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Suing a public utility for explosion-related losses

Poorly maintained transformers, leaking gas pipes, downed power lines, railroad collisions and derailments: all of these scenarios possess the potential to trigger explosions, resulting in mass evacuations, ecological contamination, and serious injuries.

McNicholas & McNicholas is one of California’s premier law firms for public utility litigation. Our team has secured billions of dollars on behalf of families who suffered significant losses in wildfires, mudslides, and other incidents related to errors and negligence by utilities like PG&E, Southern California Gas Company, and Sempra Energy.

If the explosion was the result of negligence by a utility company, we have the resources to help.

Understanding the effects of an explosion on the human body

Explosions pose a significant risk, due to their capacity to inflict serious injuries and fatalities. The National Center for Biotechnology Information mentions that the human body encounters blast waves and blast wind during an explosion, which can cause severe injuries. On top of that, people may be struck by materials and objects that are present in the area at the time of the explosion. Instances of immediate death are often attributed to pulmonary injuries with pulmonary hemorrhage, which often leads to suffocation. Other causes of immediate death during an explosion may be due to: serious head and brain injuries, internal organ damage, internal bleeding, amputations, pulmonary air embolisms, or severe lacerations.

Firefighters are professionals that regularly encounter these types of eruptions on a weekly or daily basis. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association states that fires and explosions are the main cause of firefighter deaths. Therefore, while many people are trying to escape an explosion, firefighters are usually caught in the middle of these explosions, trying to save others.

What type of damages can you recover from an explosion?

In most cases, explosion-related injuries are serious (if not fatal) and are often accompanied by substantial property losses. As attorneys who handle these types of claims, we understand how complex these cases can be. The Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP will fight to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Mental trauma
• Property damages
• Wrongful death, including pre-death damages on behalf of the deceased for their pain and suffering

If you or a loved one has been in an explosion, speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from McNicholas & McNicholas today. Our team works hard to ensure that our clients’ rights are protected and that they receive the best results possible for their cases. Call our office or submit our contact form as soon as possible to schedule a free remote consultation. After your consultation, we will begin investigating your explosion, determining who is liable, and gathering evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

Please note that this blog is not legal advice. Every case is very fact specific. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult with one of our lawyers to get the legal advice you need.