Natural gas is a popular source of cleaner energy in Portland and the surrounding areas. It provides power for people’s home appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, ovens, and more.
While natural gas is generally a safe, affordable, and efficient power source, it comes with a genuine risk. If something punctures a gas line, an explosion or fire could occur. When that happens, the utility company may share fault for the accident and any resulting injuries.
Determining punctured gas line liability in Portland can be a complicated and challenging task. Even when third parties are at fault for the damage, the utility company may still have financial responsibility. Contact a diligent utility accident attorney from Gideon Asen, LLC to walk you through the legal process of obtaining compensation for your injuries.
The Risk of Natural Gas Utilities
Millions of people rely on natural gas to power their homes. Some households even use natural gas in generators to provide emergency power if electricity fails. However, delivering natural gas safely requires a safe and structurally sound infrastructure. Any leaks or defects can lead to explosions or fires.
Issues with a gas line can create built-up gas that can lead to an explosion. In Portland, the party responsible for puncturing the gas line is typically at fault for the injuries it caused. A strict liability law for natural gas transporters can make it easier to prove fault in these cases.
Liability for Those Who Transport Gas
Under Maine Revised Statutes Annotated Title 14 § 165, those who store or distribute natural gas have strict liability that does not require proof of negligence against anyone, such as a utility company that transports natural gas.
These parties are responsible for all acts or omissions of their agents or servants that lead to injury from fires or explosions caused by natural gas escaping from the storage, transportation, or distribution system due to defects.
A punctured gas line may or may not fall under this law provision, depending on its cause. If a gas utility employee is responsible for puncturing the gas line, the company will be liable, and the injured party will not have to demonstrate negligence. Even if it is a pure accident and the employee did not deviate from the standard of a reasonable person, the utility company will still be at fault.
The law provides a presumption that an injury or death caused by a natural gas fire or explosion is the result of a defect. The individual or their family does not have to prove that there was a flaw. Instead, the burden shifts to the utility company to prove that the explosion or fire was not the result of a defect.
While a Portland utility company can prove that a third party punctured a gas line, doing so does not necessarily harm the injured person. This will identify another potential party to blame for the injuries. A knowledgeable attorney who works on gas line cases can help their client fight for compensation by proving all at-fault parties.
Learn More About Portland Punctured Gas Line Liability Today
In the aftermath of a gas line accident that has left you with injuries, do not hesitate to seek help from a professional. Having someone by your side who understands the legal complexities of these types of cases is crucial.
To determine who has punctured gas line liability in Portland for your accident, get in touch with a hardworking lawyer with Gideon Asen, LLC. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys can investigate the cause of an explosion and provide you with information about potential claims for damages.
