Albuquerque Pipeline Explosion Lawyer

In the last 10 years, there were 2241 major pipeline accidents resulting in 226 deaths, $700 million in property damage, and damage to the environment. Those who survived suffered first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and higher. Most of the burn victims are disfigured for life.

Albuquerque Pipeline Explosion Attorney

The real tragedy is that these deaths were preventable. If the gas company regularly complied with federal law, these accidents would be rare–a point our lawyers never hesitate to raise. If you or your family member were injured by a pipeline rupture, call the Branch Law Firm for a consultation with an Albuquerque pipeline explosion lawyer. We cannot undo what has been done, but we can help bring closure to this awful event.

What the Gas Companies are Supposed to Do

Many gas line pipes are old. They were built in the ’40s and ’50s, and some of them have not been inspected for leaks or damage. Since the California gas shortage of 2000, these pipes have been pumping gas from Texas–through New Mexico. So not only are the pipes old, they are overloaded.

Natural gas is like a lot of other substances–extremely helpful when controlled, disastrous when it is not. As anyone who has ever owned a gas stove can tell you, natural gas is–literally–explosive. Being near a natural gas line at the wrong time will cause anything from minor skin burns to severe injury.

The Federal Emergency Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires pipeline companies to conduct regular inspections of transmission lines. The inspection consists of the companies sending a small robot (called a pig or a smart pig) through the pipeline. The robot has equipment attached to it that enables it to detect leaks and defects. The companies are also supposed to compile and submit reports to the FERC.

Gas Pipeline Accident Information

To learn more about gas pipeline accidents in New Mexico, visit the following links:

Causes of Pipeline Explosions

• When oil and gas companies fail to adhere to safety regulations or take shortcuts in order to maximize profits, tragic pipeline explosions can cause life-altering injuries to innocent New Mexico residents. Negligence, carelessness, and violations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) workplace safety regulations are among the common causes of pipeline explosions. Pipeline explosions can also occur when heavy equipment performing excavation work, such as backhoes, strikes a pipeline.

• Additional factors that can cause a pipeline accident include:

  • Poor maintenance of pipes, joints, and valves
  • Metal fatigue
  • Corrosion
  • Mechanical damages, such as dents
  • Improper repair welds
  • Defective products
  • Damage caused by chemicals
  • Violations of applicable codes
  • Inadequate safety practices

  Pipeline companies are often represented by some of the largest law firms in the United States. The source and cause of the explosion that caused the injuries are crucial determinations that form the basis of a personal injury pipeline explosion case. Determining the cause of an explosion and identifying the liable parties is a complex process, which may require the hiring of mechanical and chemical engineers to serve as expert witnesses.

• Pipeline Accident Injuries – Pipeline explosions can result in severe injuries, including burns, brain injuries, disfigurement, and spinal cord injuries. Pipeline explosion injury victims may be eligible to recover compensation for their injuries with the help of an Albuquerque personal injury attorney from the Branch Law Firm.
• Pipeline Explosion Property Damage – Pipeline explosions often cause devastating fires that can lead to extensive property damage for individuals who live near the accident site. Soil and water contamination and other environmental hazards can also occur as a result of pipeline explosions. If your New Mexico home was damaged because of a pipeline explosion, the attorneys at the Branch Law Firm will help you recover full compensation for your loss.

Contact an Albuquerque Pipeline Explosion Attorney Today

At the Branch Law Firm, our Albuquerque injury attorneys know how to analyze the causes of a pipeline explosion in order to protect the rights of explosion accident victims. We will assess all sources of compensation for your injuries. Take the first step toward resolving your claim by contacting us today.