Explosion & Fire Injury Attorneys in New Mexico

We Are Not Afraid to Take On Big Corporations when Their Bad Acts Lead to Catastrophic Injuries

Most workplace injuries are handled through workers’ compensation. (If you have a workers’ compensation claim, we are happy to refer you to a lawyer who can help you). However, when an employer willfully engages in bad behavior that is substantially certain to injure a worker, the worker and their family may be entitled to compensation outside of workers’ comp.

We have taken on huge corporations when their profit-driven bad behavior causes fires or explosions at New Mexico worksites. Our team is prepared to don hard hats, go to the scenes of workplace catastrophes, and find out what happened and how. We use what we learn to fight for your family’s fair compensation. Industrial fires and explosions often involve complexities that should not be addressed without the help of a skilled lawyer. If you or a loved one were hurt on the job by bad behavior that rises above mere negligence, call us. We have successfully battled many huge corporations and aren’t afraid of doing so again.

Call McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA at (505) 405-4441 to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys. We are on the side of New Mexico workers who are injured on the job.

Causes of Workplace Fires & Explosions

Industrial workplaces have many sources of potential fires and explosions. Employers are required to take precautions to protect workers from these dangers. The top 5 causes of workplace fires, as identified by Industrial Safety and Hygiene News Magazine, include:

• Hot work, like welding, sawing, and other tasks that can cause sparks
• Electrical hazards, like exposed wiring and overloaded circuits
• Machinery, which can build up heat due to friction while in use or jam and cause explosions
• Vehicles, especially when poorly maintained
• Improper storage and handling of flammable gases and liquids

Employers should protect workers by taking steps like:

• Conducting a thorough hazard analysis
• Establishing fire prevention policies
• Establishing emergency procedures
• Training employees on fire safety
• Frequently monitoring for and removing dangers
• Regularly inspecting and maintaining equipment

Even if your employer does its best to make your workplace safe, contractors and subcontractors who are reckless can put everyone in danger. In 2018, the last year for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics has released full information, 115 workers were killed in fires and/or explosions and many others were seriously injured. Most of these tragic accidents could have been prevented if employers had put the safety of their workers first. Through the legal system, we can work together to champion safer policies that keep workers safe.

Faulty Machinery & Third-Party Liability

In some cases, fires and explosions are caused by defectively designed or manufactured vehicles or machinery. We stand for worker safety and are ready to hold corporations accountable for selling this dangerous equipment. Lawsuits against negligent manufacturers of industrial equipment and machinery can help get faulty products recalled from the market and removed from others’ workplaces. Companies that have to pay compensation to injured workers for creating defective machinery also often suffer negative publicity. Hits to their financial bottom lines and their reputations can convince companies to be more cautious with product safety in the future.

Oil Rig Explosions

Explosions are an inherent risk in oil and gas exploration and production because of the combination of flammable materials and machinery. Explosions can also be caused by dangerous equipment or conditions like:

• Defective batteries
• Improper ventilation systems that result in the accumulation of hazardous fumes
• Defective hoses, pipes, or pipelines
• Equipment failure

Oil rig explosions are often catastrophic events that injure or kill multiple workers and cause extensive property damage. If you or a loved one were injured in an oil or gas explosion, you need a strong investigative team that will act fast to preserve crucial evidence and identify the cause of the explosion.

How We Can Help Injured Employees

Workplace fires and explosions can cause wrongful death or severe injuries, including:

• Brain injury
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Crush injury
• Electrocution
• Loss of hearing
• Loss of limb
• Spinal cord injury
• Toxic exposure

If you or a loved one have suffered any of the above due to a workplace accident, you deserve compensation. The first step is contacting our team for help investigating your accident, identifying liable parties, and learning your legal rights and options. To ensure that you and your family are taken care of, you may be entitled to recover the following damages:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs
• Compensation for Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of household services (housework you cannot do on your own)
• Lost income/wages (whether temporary or permanent)

The effects of a preventable accident, both emotional and financial, may stretch far beyond the immediate future. We want to help you make sure you are prepared for the challenges you and your loved ones will face.