Kansas City Explosions Attorney

Kansas City is home to many booming industries and plants. We’re also manufacturers of many types of ammunition, which workers produce right outside our city limits. Because of the flammable nature of the work, explosions can and do occur at plants like these more often than we would like to think. Kansas City residents might sustain injuries in an explosion at work, a car accident, or through the dangerous manufacture of a defective product. A Kansas City lawyer can help. If you or a loved one sustained an injury in an explosion, schedule a free consultation with the Kansas City explosions lawyer of Wendt Law Firm, P.C.

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.

Explosions in the Kansas City Workplace

If you or a loved one incurred a serious injury in a work-related explosion, your first line of compensation will likely be through your workers’ compensation insurance. The state of Kansas requires all employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits to their employees in the event of work-related accidents. The workers’ compensation system in Kansas is no-fault, which means you won’t need to prove your employer was negligent to collect benefits. On the other hand, collecting these benefits forfeits your right to collect compensation for negligence, even if your employer played a role in your injuries.

Workers’ compensation claims are advantageous because they pay for all your medical care and may even pay for total or partial disability benefits in the event of catastrophic injury. The main disadvantage, however, is that they only compensate for a portion of your lost wages. For workers who live paycheck to paycheck, workers’ compensation claims may not be enough to survive. For these individuals, a third-party claim might be necessary.

Liability in a Fire or Explosion

When it comes to an explosion, there are a number of different parties that could be held liable for a fire or an explosion. Here are a few examples:

• Property owners, tenants, and guests who are adjacent to where the fire or explosion happened. Improper use of grills, smoking where it is prohibited, or flammable materials could have caused the fire or explosion.
• If security features such as fire alarms or smoke detectors failed to go off, a landlord may be held responsible for the explosion.
• Manufacturers of products may be held liable if a defect led to an explosion.
• Contractors who did not properly install appliances or faulty wiring may be held responsible if it led to an explosion or fire.

Explosion Lawsuits Against Third Parties

If you incurred injury because of an explosion at a plant, because of a defective product, or even in a public place, you may be able to file a claim against the parties responsible for damages. Personal injury lawsuits provide valuable protections to citizens by providing compensation for:

• Economic damages. These include things like medical bills, lost wages, loss in earning capacity, and the cost of rehabilitation. In cases involving permanently disabling injury, they may even pay for accommodation and housing updates (e.g., ramps or handicap accessible doors).
• General damages. These include the immaterial losses from an accident, which may include pain, suffering, and loss in quality of life.
• Punitive damages. In some cases, you may be able to collect this special form of damages that punishes the defendant for gross negligence.

Contact a Kansas City Explosion Attorney

One of the most important aspects of your case will be deciding who is legally responsible for your injuries. Explosions are catastrophic events that may lead to several serious injuries such as burn injuries or wrongful death. As such, these cases require an experienced hand. At Wendt Law P.C., we’re committed to helping you find the legally liable parties and holding them responsible. With a personal injury claim, you can gain compensation to help you live your best possible life with the help of a Kansas City personal injury lawyer.

The process begins with a free initial consultation. Let us review the facts of your case and decide on your next best steps. To schedule your risk-free case review, contact us.