Florence & Myrtle Beach Explosion Accident Attorneys
Fires and explosion accidents can cause painful, life-altering injuries. Explosions can cause traumatic amputations, permanent scarring, disfigurement, hearing loss, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in an explosion accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.
The attorneys at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. have been pursuing compensation for personal injury victims for over 125 years. We understand how devastating explosion accidents can be for victims. Our compassionate attorneys will work with you to determine the value of your claim and pursue the full, fair amount of compensation you need and deserve.
Most Explosions Are Caused by Negligence or Recklessness
Many different circumstances can cause a serious explosion in South Carolina. Unfortunately, most explosions are preventable and caused by negligence or recklessness. The attorneys at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. work diligently to investigate victims’ accidents and identify the cause of the explosion accident. Some of the most common causes of explosions include the following:
- Defective products, such as water heaters
- Poor gas line maintenance
- Gas pipeline leaks
- Dangerous workplaces
- Oil and gas industry hazards
- Car accidents
- Flammable liquids
- Defective equipment or machinery
- Electrical hazards
- Dust or combustible materials
- Lack of proper safety training
- Lack of proper equipment training
- Negligence when using electrical equipment around water
- Dangerously installed equipment
After we identify the at-fault party or parties, we will begin pursuing compensation from them. At-fault parties can include employers, property owners, product manufacturers, businesses, and individuals. Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. has the resources and skills necessary to pursue a strong explosion injury claim on your behalf.
Injuries Caused By Explosions Can Be Severe
When an individual becomes severely burned from an explosion, the medical treatment and follow-up care can be extremely expensive and last for years. Those with severe burn injuries may need multiple invasive surgeries with lengthy recovery.
In many cases, intensive long-term care is necessary to ensure the burned skin heals properly and to minimize scarring. Injuries suffered in explosion accidents resulting in fire can be some of the most traumatic injuries a person ever experiences. Many victims are no longer able to work due to their injuries.
Holding At-Fault Parties Accountable for Explosion Accidents
Nearly all explosion accidents are caused by negligence. When business owners and property owners cut corners and fail to take safety precautions when working with dangerous chemicals, gas, and electricity, explosions can occur. For example, if you’ve been injured in an explosion at a plant, the company may be liable for your injuries. When plant owners don’t adhere to all of the rules and regulations of plant safety, maintenance, and operation, their failure to comply can cause deadly results.
Similarly, if a defective product exploded while you were using it as intended, you may have the right to pursue a claim against the product manufacturer or distributor. Finally, when a manufacturer fails to warn consumers of known dangers and the consumer becomes injured due to an explosion, the victim may have a right to pursue compensation from the manufacturer.
Pursuing an Insurance Claim After an Explosion Injury
Victims can pursue compensation for their injuries through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Suppose a negligent truck driver collided with you, and the truck was carrying explosive material. In that case, the victim could pursue an insurance claim against the driver’s employer. Most commercial drivers carry more robust auto insurance policies.
An attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance company and level the playing field. Before accepting an offer from an insurance company, we recommend speaking to an attorney. The insurance company may make an offer far too low to compensate you for all your current and future damages.
Available Damages in Explosion Accident Cases
Pursuing an insurance claim may not be the most strategic way to recover damages. The at-fault party may not carry insurance, or the insurance policy limits may be too low to cover all of your injuries. In South Carolina, victims of explosion accidents can pursue a civil lawsuit against the party or party whose negligence caused their injuries. Proving liability requires evidence showing the at-fault party failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances to prevent injury to others.
At-fault parties are liable for all of the economic and non-economic damages the injured party has suffered because of the explosion accident. Economic damages are easily quantifiable and include the cost of current and future medical treatment and the victim’s lost income.
If the victim becomes disabled and unable to work due to his or her injuries, the victim can pursue compensation for his or her loss of future earning capacity. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain, suffering, and other forms of psychological distress caused by the explosion accident.
How Long Do I Have to Pursue a Claim?
If you’ve been injured in an explosion accident, you only have a limited amount of time to pursue a civil lawsuit for compensation. The clock usually begins on the day the explosion incident occurs. Generally, victims must file a claim within three years after the accident that caused their injuries occurred. When pursuing a claim against a government defendant, the timeline is shorter.
Plaintiffs only have two years to file a claim against a government defendant, such as a police department, government official, county hospital, or bus or train provider. The time limit for filing a notice of claim against a municipality may be even shorter. There are some exceptions for minors, but it’s important to discuss your case with an attorney as soon as possible so you don’t lose your opportunity to recover compensation.
Discuss Your Case with a Skilled Explosion Accident Attorney
When you work with Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A., you can rest assured that we will handle every aspect of your claim, including negotiating with insurance adjusters. While we pursue the best outcome possible, you can focus on your recovery. Don’t hesitate to contact Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. to schedule a complimentary case evaluation and learn more about your legal rights and options.
From law offices in Florence and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. serves Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, the Grand Strand, and other communities throughout Florence County, Marion County, Horry County, Darlington County, and Georgetown County.