Catastrophic burn and explosion cases are different from ordinary injury claims. They often involve life-changing injuries, multiple surgeries, permanent scarring, long hospitalizations, rehabilitation, emotional trauma, lost income, wrongful death, and difficult technical questions about what caused the event in the first place.
In many of these cases, the explosion or fire is only the beginning of the story. Families are suddenly dealing with emergency care, burn units, skin grafting, infection risk, rehabilitation, and uncertainty about the future. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members are left trying to understand how the event happened, whether it could have been prevented, and who should be held responsible.
McEwen Law Firm has handled serious burn and explosion matters involving propane systems, natural gas leaks, tank failures, industrial incidents, defective products, dangerous premises, unsafe repairs, failed inspections, and warning failures. These cases often require a fast, disciplined investigation because critical evidence can disappear quickly after an explosion, fire, or system failure.
Seven people were killed and others were seriously injured during a family gathering when a home exploded after propane gas accumulated inside the house. The case focused on negligent failure to warn about propane dangers and reasonable safety measures. Settlement was reached against multiple parties, with publicly reported total settlements in the multi-million-dollar range.
Estate of Ryan v. Defendants (Iowa)
An anhydrous ammonia tank ruptured, killing one worker and severely and permanently injuring another. The case focused on a defective weld, inadequate inspection history, and failure-to-warn issues. The jury returned a $9.6 million verdict.
Freeland v. Ferrellgas (Michigan)
A retired couple was burned in a propane gas explosion. The husband died from burn injuries, and the wife survived with critical burns. The case involved odorized propane issues and allegations that leak complaints were not properly addressed. The matter resulted in an $8.3 million arbitration award.
Vega v. Propane Retailer, et al. (Mississippi)
Three children were badly burned when gas leaked into their home and later exploded. The matter involved dangerous conditions in the home and litigation over the cause of the explosion. The case resolved for a multi-million-dollar settlement.
Anderson v. Gas Co., et al. (Minnesota)
A father and daughter suffered severe burns in a propane explosion at a resort cabin after a corroded exterior gas line leaked gas into the building. The matter resolved through settlement.
Nehrig v. Thermogas, et al. (Iowa)
Two volunteer firefighters were killed and seven others were injured when a blazing propane tank exploded. The case involved allegations of inadequate collision protection and flaws in the propane system design. The matter resolved through confidential settlements.
These cases are often more complicated than they appear at first glance. What seems like a simple house fire may actually involve a leaking gas line, a missed leak complaint, corrosion, a failed fitting, an improperly installed appliance connector, unsafe regulator placement, or inadequate warnings about what to do when gas is detected. A tank fire may involve design issues, inadequate collision protection, improper maintenance, valve failure, or emergency-response complications. A workplace explosion may involve poor inspection practices, unsafe pressure systems, defective welds, or long-standing mechanical problems that should have been addressed before tragedy occurred.
Burn and explosion litigation can involve many different kinds of defendants. Depending on the facts, responsibility may fall on a propane company, gas supplier, installer, contractor, manufacturer, maintenance company, property owner, utility, equipment distributor, or another party whose negligence contributed to the event. A strong case may require close review of service records, inspection history, prior complaints, industry standards, fire-scene evidence, design documents, warning practices, training records, maintenance history, and expert reconstruction.
For families, the legal case is often only one part of the recovery. Severe burns can require repeated grafting, scar management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain treatment, psychological support, and future revision procedures. Children with serious burns may need care that extends for years as they continue to grow. Adults with major burns may be unable to return to the same work, the same physical routine, or the same daily life.
This page highlights selected burn and explosion matters associated with McEwen’s case experience. Some outcomes were public verdicts, arbitration awards, or publicly discussed settlements. Other matters resolved confidentially. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter.
People searching for a lawyer after a catastrophic burn or explosion are often looking for more than a general personal injury firm. They want to know whether the lawyer understands the type of event that injured their family, the seriousness of burn recovery, and the technical investigation needed to identify all responsible parties.
If you or your family is dealing with a catastrophic burn injury, gas explosion, fire, or wrongful death caused by negligence, contact us for a free case review.
