An explosion can cause severe injuries and leave you uncertain about who caused the blast or how to recover compensation. Reach out to a personal injury attorney in Chicago at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC today.
Call our firm at (312) 701-0090 or contact us online to discuss your potential claim in a free consultation after an explosion in Chicago.
Experienced Support After a Devastating Explosion
- We have represented seriously injured clients and their families for decades in claims involving permanent harm and complex liability disputes.
- You receive direct attorney involvement, honest guidance, and regular updates about the progress of your claim.
- We handle explosion injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so attorney fees depend on recovering compensation for you.
What Can Cause an Explosion in Chicago?
Explosions can be caused by preventable failures. They may occur in apartment buildings, workplaces, construction sites, industrial facilities, restaurants, vehicles, or private homes. Common causes include:
- Defective boilers, furnaces, water heaters, or fuel tanks.
- Electrical shorts, faulty wiring, or overloaded systems.
- Improper storage of flammable chemicals.
- Construction crews striking underground gas lines.
- Poor maintenance or ignored safety warnings.
- Unsafe welding, cutting, or other hot work.
The source of the blast may not be immediately clear. Fire investigators, engineers, utility records, maintenance files, and damaged equipment can reveal whether a person or business failed to follow proper safety procedures.
Who May Be Responsible for an Explosion?
Responsibility depends on where the explosion occurred and what caused it. More than one party may be liable if they contributed to the dangerous condition. Potentially responsible parties include:
- Property owners or landlords who failed to repair gas lines, electrical systems, or heating equipment.
- Employers or contractors who ignored workplace safety procedures.
- Utility companies that failed to inspect, maintain, or respond to a reported leak.
- Manufacturers that sold defective appliances, batteries, machinery, or fuel-system components.
- Maintenance companies that performed incomplete or careless repairs.
- Businesses that improperly stored or handled combustible materials.
Investigators may review inspection reports, repair records, permits, employee training documents, safety complaints, product testing, and surveillance footage to determine the cause and liability. Physical evidence from the scene can also show where the explosion began and how it spread.
Illinois Laws That Apply to Explosion Claims
Premises Liability
Property owners can be held liable under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, 740 ILCS 130/2, which states property owners owe lawful visitors “reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises.” This law may apply when a landlord, business, or property owner knew or reasonably could have discovered a dangerous gas leak, electrical problem, or defective system but failed to correct it.
Defective Product Claims
Illinois product liability law applies to injuries caused by unsafe products. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-213, a product liability action may involve defects connected to a product’s design, manufacturing, installation, repair, maintenance, labeling, or warnings. This provision may become relevant when an appliance, battery, fuel tank, machine, or other defective product causes an explosion.
Filing Deadline
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most Illinois personal injury actions must begin “within 2 years next after the cause of action accrued.” Other deadlines may apply when a government entity or workplace claim is involved.
Why Hiring a Lawyer Protects Your Interests
Explosion cases rely on technical evidence that can change or disappear during cleanup. Property owners, insurers, contractors, and government investigators may remove debris, repair damaged systems, or take possession of defective equipment. A Chicago burn injury attorney can act quickly to preserve the scene, obtain inspection and maintenance records, and arrange evaluations by qualified engineers or fire experts.
They can also identify every responsible party, which can quickly become complicated when an explosion involves overlapping duties among an owner, contractor, utility, and manufacturer. You will have the ability to focus on medical treatment while your lawyer handles insurers and negotiating for the maximum compensation possible.
Get Answers After a Chicago Explosion
The cause of an explosion may involve decisions made long before the blast occurred. We can help you determine who can be held responsible.
Reach Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC at (312) 701-0090 or send us a message online to arrange a free consultation.