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.
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 – Numerous factors can contribute to a pipeline accident, including failure to adhere to safety regulations, improper maintenance of pipes, and defective products. If you are the victim of a pipeline explosion, the New Mexico pipeline explosion lawyers at the Branch Law Firm will investigate the causes of the accident in order to determine liability.
- 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 Branch Law Firm, our attorneys do not like to see people suffer needlessly. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to a pipeline explosion, please contact us online or call (505) 317-9955. Consultation is free, and there are no attorneys’ fees until you recover.