Preventing natural gas explosions

There are about 286 serious natural gas explosions per year. These are the type of gas explosions that cause property damage, severe injury, or loss of life. Between 1998 and 2017, 15 people per year on average died in incidents related to gas distribution. These gas explosions have left many people wondering if natural gas is safe. Is there anything they can do to help prevent a future occurrence?

Take Preventative Measures
Annual inspection and leak survey
Having your gas pipelines inspected regularly is one of the best preventative measures you can take to avoid natural gas leaks and explosions. Natural gas inspection services consist of an odor test, proper valve operation, above and below ground piping inspection, leak surveying, gas system mapping, and line locating. An annual leak survey is recommended for all properties that have a Master Meter Gas system.

Know what to do if you smell gas
There are four signs that could indicate you might have a small natural gas leak, and it’s time to repair your gas piping:

• A strong smell of gas inside your home or building (an unmistakable sulfur-like smell, often described as a “rotten egg” smell)
• Dead plants in the area of a gas line
• Hissing sound
• White cloud or dust cloud near a gas line

Follow these steps, if you suspect a gas leak:
Recognize when it’s time to repair or replace a gas line
Due to the natural erosion process, some natural gas pipes eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Being proactive—testing, maintaining, and repairing your gas piping—is essential for preventing any long-term damage to your valuable assets and livelihood.

Be aware of where natural gas lines are on your property
It’s important to have a full understanding of all the sources of natural gas on your property for two key reasons:

• If an unknown natural gas line leaks outside or inside a wall and you are not aware that the line exists, it can be very dangerous and potentially deadly
• You could end up paying a large sum of money, not only for the leaked gas over time, but also to repair the leak

Call before you dig
Contact Texas 811 to mark any underground gas lines. It is a free service that must be completed before any type of digging begins. Utility companies and local governments only mark what they own and operate.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client.

Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

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What Causes Gas Explosions?

We have seen an increasingly amount of gas explosions in the news, whether it be at a private residence or place of business. Often times the structure is left in ruins. Too often human lives are lost. Some explosions affect large surrounding areas – not just the home where the explosion originated. Recently, a house explosion in Texas leveled a house, killing an occupant, and shook homes miles away. The cause of the explosion is suspected to be the result of a gas leak that somehow ignited.

What causes gas explosions?

Most people use natural gas or propane every day in our homes or workplace. Natural Gas heats our water and our spaces, and provides the fuel for our cooking appliances. Regardless of how often we use gas, it’s important to remember that it is highly combustible and can be very dangerous.

A gas explosion occurs when there is a gas leak in the presence of a spark or flame. Gases such as natural gas, methane, propane and butane are the most common types of gases to cause explosions because they are commonly used for heating purposes. Some gas explosions are minor, with the increase in pressure not generating enough force to damage anything, while other gas explosions can cause injury, damage to property, even death.

Some common causes include:

• Old, rusty gas lines or ones that are damaged that run from the street into your home
• Defective gas-operated equipment
• Improper use of gas furnaces, stoves or other gas appliances
• Gas appliances that have been poorly or incorrectly installed

Your best course of prevention is to know and trust your home is safe by having your systems checked regularly by a professional. Older homes with older HVAC systems tend to have a greater incidence of gas leaks. If you suspect any of your systems have been damaged somehow, be sure to have them inspected.

Also, be familiar with the ‘rotten egg’ smell of Carbon Monoxide. The nasty smell is added to the otherwise odorless gas to alarm people when gas is present in the home or workplace. If you smell gas, or if you think you smell gas, leave the premises and contact emergency authorities as soon as possible.

Although the likelihood of a gas explosion is pretty rare, it’s very important to first, make sure your home is as safe as it can be, and then, be aware of any warning signs and act quickly if you suspect there is a problem.

Smell Gas? Call TEXAS811

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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Possible gas explosion leaves six injured

Initial report by David Sentendrey and FOX 4 News staff

Plano, Texas — At least six people were hospitalized after a reported explosion at a Plano home on Monday afternoon. It's still unclear what caused the explosion and Atmos and Plano Fire investigators were at the scene into Monday night. The incident happened just after 4:30 p.m. in the 4400 block of Cleveland Drive, located off Park Boulevard in between Ohio Drive and Coit Road. Plano Fire officials said three adults and three children had to be transported from the scene. Their conditions were not known. One person was inside the home. The other five were in a home next door.

The force of the explosion essentially flattened the home and caused significant damage to nearby homes. Neighbors say it happened during a storm. They saw a flash and heard a loud-shaking boom. The impact of the explosion felt by people living a mile away. Many walking to the scene were in disbelief. It’s unclear what caused the explosion. It happened as a thunderstorm moved through the neighborhood.

"I just happened to be looking out my window right as it happened and it was a big flash of bright light," said Taylor Reddick, who lives nearby. "It had been lightning a lot already, and I just saw a huge black smoke go up and debris go flying in the air. It all happened very fast."

Plano Fire says only one person was inside the home when it exploded. Most of the injured lived nearby.

Tony Clark says he saw children leaving the neighboring home to get into an ambulance on their own. "Yeah, I didn’t see any wounds or anything on them. They walked just fine," he said. Investigators from the Plano Fire Department, Atmos, Oncor, and the Plano Police Bomb Squad all came out to the scene. Power and gas were cut off to the block. The Plano Fire Department says it’s standard protocol. Neighbors, however, can only imagine what it was like for the one person inside the home at the center of the explosion.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Lewisville gas explosion compared to 2008 fatal blast from Miller Weisbrod.

If you have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion accident, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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2 tragically killed in natural gas line explosion in Farmersville, Texas

Farmersville, Texas — Two people were killed and three injured in a natural gas pipeline explosion.

The deadly blast happened around 4 p.m. Monday at an Atmos Energy facility in Collin County near Farmersville, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of Dallas. The explosion appeared to be an accident but the FBI will assist in the investigation.

Those involved in the explosion were contractors for Atmos Energy. The contractors were employees of Bobcat Contracting and Fesco Petroleum Engineering. Two of the injured were taken to a hospital.

The workers were servicing a gas line when the explosion happened. The Princeton and Farmersville fire departments, Collin County EMS and multiple other local law enforcement agencies responded to the blast.

“Our prayers are with those who were affected by the events in Farmersville, Texas, today,” Atmos Energy said in statement. “Out of respect for their privacy, we are not releasing any names or additional details at this stage,” the statement added.

Partner, Clay Miller, of Miller Weisbrod Attorneys At Law, states that, “It appears Atmos and it’s contractors may have once again failed to timely and safely react to a pipeline strike during underground work. If the early information is correct, this explosion and the resulting deaths were an avoidable tragedy“

Miller Weisbrod Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Lewisville gas explosion compared to 2008 fatal blast from Miller Weisbrod.

If you have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion accident, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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SoClean CPAP Problems

Are you Using an Ozone-Based Product To Sanitize Your CPAP Device?

Contact Us Today
CALL NOW: (214) 987-0005

Why is Ozone Dangerous?

Ozone is a tiny molecule which is composed of three oxygen atoms. It is highly reactive which makes it an unstable and potentially toxic gas.

Ozone Degrades Plastic

In addition to physical damages related to ozone exposure, ozone is known to be corrosive to plastic and may damage your CPAP machine. This could cause leakage of ozone, poor performance of machine and costly repairs. Some manufacturers may limit warranty protections if ozone-based CPAP cleaners are used.

Health Effects of Ozone

Ozone can be used to kill harmful bacteria. However, for ozone to be effective in killing harmful bacteria, it must be present at a concentration far greater than what is considered safe for humans. Although products claiming to clean, disinfect or sanitize CPAP devices that use ozone gas claim that they are safe, the FDA has received dozens of reports to the contrary.

Complaints include; shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma and similar lung issues, headaches and rash. The FDA has made clear that it has not cleared these products and is currently seeking more information from manufacturers regarding safety and effectiveness.

Contact Miller Weisbrod, Attorneys At Law

If you have damages with your CPAP components, or have experienced health issues developing after using your Ozone-Based SoClean_® CPAP sanitizer, contact our offices for free information on your rights.

CALL NOW: (214) 987-0005

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Was Your Car Accident Caught On-Camera?

Today, cameras are everywhere. In fact, you would probably be surprised by the number of video cameras that catch your commute on a daily basis. How easy is it to obtain a copy of this footage?

We have all seen them around: video cameras along highways, at red lights, toll plazas, and even on buses. There are many reasons why these cameras exist (e.g., law enforcement, monitoring traffic congestion, number plate recognition), understand that the entities which own the cameras are not in the business of finding and providing this footage to the general public, so the ease with which one can retrieve this kind of evidence generally depends on a number of factors.

Getting Traffic Camera Video

First thing you will want to take into consideration is the possible different sources of video. This greatly depends on where your accident occurred.

• Were you at an intersection equipped with red light cameras?
• Were you on a highway or major thoroughfare?
• Were there any nearby businesses which may have outdoor surveillance cameras?
• If you are uncertain, look up the location on GoogleMaps >StreetView and consider all possibilities.

Traffic Cameras & Red Light Cameras

 

When it comes to highway traffic cameras and red light cameras, your chances of obtaining a copy of the video without the help of an attorney are very slim. You are most-likely going to be dealing with a number of public and private entities that have specific requirements when it comes to releasing video footage. Some highway traffic cameras are owned by TxDOT while others are owned by the toll authority. Click here for a map of State-owned traffic cameras.

There is no harm in asking for a copy of the video. Keep in mind that it is possible that your request will be denied because they are not obligated to do so, and because they do not want to put the man-hours into tracking down the relevant portion of video.

If you have an attorney, let them know of this potential piece of evidence as soon as possible. Your attorney can issue a subpoena seeking the release of the video footage, but it is important to act as soon as possible because these cameras often erase old data after a certain period of time.

Private Business Surveillance Cameras

 

If you think that your car accident was captured by a CCTV(Closed-Circuit Television) surveillance camera located on private property (e.g., Walmart, Grocery Store, Gas Station, etc.), you stand a better chance of finding someone who is willing to help. Private businesses also have no obligation to provide this footage to you without a subpoena, but a friendly request can go a long way.

Some businesses and larger stores have strict rules on how and when they share this video, and if you run into a roadblock, discuss your options with an experienced car accident lawyer.

Dash Cams & Other Sources

Most police cruisers are now equipped with dash cams, but personal dash cams have also become increasingly popular. Be sure to ask any witnesses to the accident if they had a dashboard camera recording. Many people have stumbled across footage of their accident uploaded to YouTube a few days after the incident.

If you believe the car crash was caught on a nearby police car’s dash cam, you may have to jump through a few hoops in order to obtain the video footage.

You will need the following:

• Officer(s) name
• Badge number(s)
• Incident report number (police on-site of the accident will have this information)
• Write a letter explaining your intent, and then send it to the related precinct

It is important to note that police dash cams and bus cameras are not always recording. Due to limited resources, it is not uncommon for these entities to record over older footage. This is why it is very important to act fast when attempting to obtain this vital evidence.

Contact Miller Weisbrod

If you were injured in a car crash, speak with a Dallas Car Accident Attorney for free. The attorneys at Miller Weisbrod are happy to speak to you about your potential case free of charge.

By hiring an attorney, you are ensuring that you have the best chance at a successful outcome. At Miller Weisbrod, our attorneys will make sure you are not taken advantage of, and will handle your claim from beginning to end. When it comes to car crashes, time is of the essence. Getting in touch with a good accident attorney from the beginning will go a long way in gathering relevant evidence, proving negligence, demonstrating the true value of your case, and winning compensation. Call us today at 1-888-987-0005 for your free consultation.

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Filing a Business Interruption Insurance Claim?

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses, both small and large, have been forced to close and/or suspend operations. For years, these businesses have faithfully paid their insurance premiums in order to have business interruption insurance coverage to protect them from losses. These premiums were happily paid because it meant peace of mind for the businesses in knowing that, if something out of their control forced them to close or suffer economic losses, they would be protected.

Now that the time has come for the insurance companies to stand up and cover the losses resulting from the business interruption caused by this virus, the almost universal response has been to either deny the claim or delay in responding to the claim.



Miller Weisbrod is actively reviewing potential claims against these insurance companies for either wrongfully denying or unreasonably delaying the payment of claims under business interruption insurance policies. We understand that, under the current economic climate, both small and large businesses cannot afford to pay attorneys by the hour, so we are taking these cases on a pure contingency basis in order to avoid further economic losses to these businesses.

So if you know a client, friend or family member involved in a business that has been severely affected by the Cornavirus pandemic, be it a restaurant, bar, retail, hotel or any other business similarly affected, contact us today and let us review the applicable insurance policies to see if we can help recover for losses sustained during this crisis.

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Miller Weisbrod, LLP is a national law firm specializing in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Partners Clay Miller and Les Weisbrod have built the firm’s reputation with successful verdicts, settlements, appeals and favorable decisions across the country. With resources and finances available to take on the powerful interests that have caused harm, the firm is committed to providing quality representation for clients who are seriously injured and families of victims who are killed as a result of the negligence or misconduct of others. Miller Weisbrod has offices in Dallas and affiliate offices in Houston and Austin. For more information call (214) 987-0005 or visit www.millerweisbrod.com

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Toyota and Honda recall 6 million vehicles over faulty air bags

DETROIT (AP) — Two different air bag glitches have forced Toyota and Honda to recall over 6 million vehicles worldwide, and both problems present different dangers to motorists.

The Toyota recall affects about 3.4 million vehicles globally and is being done because the air bags may not inflate in a crash. The cars have air bag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.

The problem could affect as many as 12.3 million vehicles in the U.S. made by six companies. It’s possible that as many as eight people were killed when air bags didn’t inflate. U.S. safety regulators are investigating.

Honda’s recall covers about 2.7 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with Takata air bag inflators. But they’re a different version than the ones blamed for 25 deaths worldwide. Still, it’s possible the air bags could blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers.

If you were severely injured or a loved has tragically died in an accident where the airbag did not deploy on a Toyota or Honda vehicle, we invite you to call Miller Weisbrod at 214.987.0005to discuss your rights and legal options with an experienced trial lawyer.

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Areas producing oil, gas in Texas see more crashes

By JOHN C MORITZ
By Corpus Christi Caller-Times

AUSTIN — Danielle Galvan was driving to Dallas from her parents’ home in the Panhandle when her compact Chevrolet Spark crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer that was attempting to back up onto U.S. 287 about 10 miles west of Wichita Falls.

The 23-year-old aspiring fashion designer and model died in the fiery wreck on the night of March 6, 2018, leaving behind two children and a grieving extended family in Hereford, southwest of Amarillo.

The crash that claimed her life occurred on a highway that connects some of the largest and busiest oil- and gas-producing regions of Texas to the sprawling population center anchored by Dallas and Fort Worth.

Galvan was among the 1,673 people who lost their lives in 2018 while motoring through one of Texas’ five largest oil and gas plays, according to figures compiled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. That’s about half of all traffic fatalities in the state and represents a grim downside to the Texas resurgent energy sector that is helping to propel the state’s booming economy.

“It’s very scary out there right now,” said Richard Minnix, the owner of McClatchy Brothers, a Midland trucking company that serves the booming and oil-rich Permian Basin. “The biggest problem is distracted driving. It’s jacking with your cell phone, text messages.”

If you have been involved in a truck accident caused by distracted driving, contact Miller Weisbrod, Attorneys At Law right away to protect your right to just compensation. Immediate investigation and swift legal action may be required to protect your rights against trucking company and insurance carrier investigators who seek to limit their responsibility to pay.

The TxDOT figures still show speeding as the No. 1 cause of crashes in Texas, with distracted driving close behind. Lawmakers in 2017 banned texting and driving in Texas, but the crash rate still increased during the first year the law went on the books.

James Bass, TxDOT’s executive director, said driving conditions, especially in the energy-producing parts of the state, have changed dramatically with the uptick in production.

“A big increase in the number of heavy trucks and traffic on state and county roads adds to the complexity of driving — something we always need to give our full attention to, while also obeying traffic laws,” Bass said.

John Esparza, who heads the Texas Trucking Association, said trucks are to blame for only a fraction of the wrecks — both in the oil patch and statewide — even if crashes involving big rigs tend to draw an outsized share of news coverage.

Still, he said, much of the oil and gas production is taking place in rural Texas, where roads were built to accommodate less traffic.

“We’re becoming more and more congested, and there are more and more fatalities that involve everyone because some of the simplest things we are not doing well,” Esparza said. “And you throw trucks in the middle of all of that, you are seeing more trucks involved in that area in a disproportionate amount than they are for the whole rest of the state.”

The sprawling Permian Basin, which covers much of West Texas and extends into New Mexico and is perhaps the nation’s biggest producer of oil and gas, saw 485 highway deaths and 1,321 serious injuries in 2018. The number of traffic crashes increased 13% from 2017 and the fatalities jumped 20% from 2017.

But those figures run behind the more urbanized Barnett Shale, which includes Fort Worth and its suburbs and extends to the Wichita Falls area. Last year, 710 fatalities and 3,400 serious injuries were reported from crashes in the Barnett Shale.

Both Esparza and Minnix give TxDOT high marks for improving roads and expanding capacity in West Texas and in the other high-producing regions. The challenge is keeping up with the traffic needed to get workers and equipment to the oil fields, and to get the product to the market.

In Pecos, about 100 miles to the southwest and about 200 miles east of El Paso, oilfield activity is causing unheard-of traffic jams on the two-lane blacktops leading in and out of town.

The trucking association is helping TxDOT with a public-education initiative called "Be Safe. Drive Smart" that is aimed at the state's energy-producing regions. The campaign reminds drivers to:

• Always buckle up. That includes drivers and all passengers.
• Take into account the amount of traffic, road conditions, and weather when gauging how fast to drove.
• Put your phone away: no talking or texting when you're behind the wheel.
• Give large trucks plenty of space, and pass only when it's safe and legal to do so.
• Obey stop signs and traffic signals.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

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Fisher‐Price recalled all 4.7 million of its Rock 'n Play Sleepers

A Consumer Reports investigation into the safety of the Fisher‐Price Rock ’n Play Sleeper—a product designed and marketed for babies to sleep on an incline—found that it is tied to at least 32 infant deaths.

The federal government and Fisher‐Price on April 5 issued a warning about the product, which safety advocates believe does not go far enough. Medical experts say babies should be placed flat on their back alone and free of soft bedding—and not at an incline—to minimize the risk of accidental suffocation. Products such as the Fisher‐Price Rock ’n Play Sleeper do not align with these recommendations.

The safety alert from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fisher‐Price includes a warning from the CPSC for consumers to stop using the product when infants turn 3 months old or “as soon as an infant exhibits rollover capabilities.”

The alert cites reports of “10 infant deaths in the Rock ’n Play that have occurred since 2015, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side, while unrestrained.”

Fisher‐Price confirmed that the company is aware of approximately 32 fatalities since the 2009 introduction of the Rock ’n Play Sleeper, including the 10 noted in the joint release with the CPSC.

History of a Dangerous Products

• 2010 Fisher‐Price Trike Recall | 10 reports of incidents resulting in injury
• 2010 Fisher‐Price Recalls Healthy Care, Easy Clean & Close to Me High Chairs |
  14 reports of injury
• 2009 Skull Fracture Prompts Recall of Fisher‐Price 3‐in‐1 high chairs
• 2009 Largest Crib Recall in US History: Stork Craft drop‐side cribs that bear the Fisher‐Price logo |
  4 infants have died after becoming entrapped in the drop‐down side mechanism.

The attorneys of Miller Weisbrod have the proven legal skill and experience to handle the complex evidentiary issues involved in a wide range of defective product liability litigation.

If your infant was injured or tragically killed due to a defective consumer product, we encourage you to call our offices today at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005.

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