Gas Explosions — Who Is Responsible?

Proven Advocacy in Propane and Natural Gas Explosions

People died. Others were horribly burned. Houses were destroyed. The DeVoto Law Firm. was there to hold the gas companies and manufacturers accountable.

Trial lawyer Mr.  DeVoto has tried and won, or reached substantial settlements, in high-profile cases of propane and natural gas explosions. His personal injury practice represents clients in Greater St. Louis, eastern Missouri and statewide.

If your loved one was injured or killed by a gas-induced fire or explosion, call our St. Louis law office at314-961-0330 or 866-961-0330 for a free initial consultation.

Lives Are Shattered When Gas Leaks Ignite

• A deadly build-up of natural gas from a leaking gas line exploded; a woman 8 1/2 months pregnant burned to death.
• Another natural gas leak from an improperly installed and defective gas line coupling device caused a house fire that badly burned the owners’ three children.
• A leaking propane line caused gas to build up and exploded when a man went to the basement of the restaurant to light a cigarette. The whole building went up, killing several people.
• Gasoline tankers exploded when gas was improperly pumped from a truck into a holding tank causing fugitive gas fumes or actual fuel to descend on the tractor.

The DeVoto Law Firm has recovered damages for severe burn injury, head trauma, lung damage and other catastrophic injury, and represented families in wrongful death lawsuits and property damage claims.

Aggressive Investigation and the Knowledge to Win

Most victims never had a chance. Leaking gas tends to snake along the surface of pipelines — right into the building. The slightest spark (a match, a pilot light, a flick of a light switch) can ignite a deadly blast.

Our investigation starts with two questions: What caused the leak and why didn’t anyone smell the gas? [Natural gas and propane are odorless. That's why gas companies add mercaptan, the tell-tale "rotten egg" odorant.]

• Mercaptan can be absorbed by soil or building materials when gas escapes a leaky pipe or connection rendering the gas odorless. Was the system installed properly?
• Electricity in the ground can attack an unprotected or improperly protected underground metal pipe causing a leak, this creates a particularly dangerous condition in cold weather because the natural gas cannot vent itself through the ground and it will follow the line of the pipe into the building. Did propane tanks or natural gas lines contain required cathodic protection?
• Metal pipes are prone to corrosion leaks. Plastic pipes are not — if assembled correctly. What components were used and when were they last inspected?

We have a crack team of investigators to gather evidence, and we hire industry experts to testify about the cause. Mr. DeVoto himself has a thorough understanding of the science and technology of gas explosions, and a knack for explaining it all to a jury.

We have held major gas companies, installers and manufacturers accountable for their share of liability in these tragedies. Contact our St. Louis office for a free initial consultation — we can make home and hospital visits if necessary. We take no attorney fees unless we settle your claim or prevail at trial. In the event money is recovered, the client may also be responsible for court costs and expenses incurred in developing the case.