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Nov
2018

What Causes Gas Grill Fires and Propane Tank Explosions?

on  Product Liability

Few things can compare to a nice cookout with friends and family. However, a picture-perfect day can turn into a nightmare in a matter of seconds. Grill fires and explosions happen more often than you may realize. Miami personal injury lawyer Prosper Shaked discusses more about the dangers, injuries, and possible lawsuits regarding grill fires and explosions in Florida.

Why Are Gas Grills Dangerous?

Almost every house in the nation has a barbecue or grill. This is evidenced by a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report, which states that “70% of U.S. households own at least a BBQ, grill or smoker.” Gas-powered grills and BBQs are particularly dangerous, especially because of the risks associated with propane gas. According to the NFPA’s grilling statistics, almost 10,000 house fires are caused by grills on a yearly basis, resulting in many premises liability injuries. Nearly 90% of the grills involved in these fires were powered by gas. A gas or propane tank explosion can lead to devastating injuries and wrongful death.

Common Causes of Gas Grill Injuries in Florida

Gas grills are comprised of many different parts. For instance, to operate a grill you will need a gas tank, gas valve regulators, hoses, and other components. Many gas grill injuries can happen for different reasons. Some of the most common causes of gas grill accidents include the following:

Faulty Gas Regulators

A gas regulator is a piece commonly attached to the propane tank. Its primary purpose is regulating the flow of gas going to the grill. It usually has a bypass, a safety mechanism that shuts down the flow of gas when back pressure on the hose connecting to the grill is low. A defective regulator can exert pressure on the tube due to excess gas pressure inside the line. This can cause the hose to break, which can lead to an explosion.

Faulty Connectors and Hoses

Hoses and connector are meant to transport gas safely from the tank to the grill’s burners. Any defect in these components can lead to a gas leak. A person can suffer severe injuries after turning on a grill with a leak in one of its hoses.

Faulty Gas Tanks

Gas tanks (also called “cylinders”) can fail due to a defect in design or manufacturing. A faulty gas cylinder can be extremely dangerous, especially when an individual is unaware of the defect.

In instances where a defect in a product causes injuries to the user, the injured victim may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault parties. Talk to a Miami defective product injury lawyer about your potential case.

Filing a Lawsuit for a Grill Fire or Propane Explosion

An unexpected grill malfunction can lead to a fire or explosion, causing severe, life-altering injuries to you and those around you. If your grill or propane tank malfunctioned or exploded and caused you serious injuries, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

All manufacturers must make sure they only release safe products onto the market. Sadly, not all manufacturers take the necessary safety measures when manufacturing and distributing their products. As a result, consumers are injured due to the negligent actions or omissions of manufacturers and designers. When this occurs, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the negligent parties.

Manufacturers must provide adequate warnings about their product(s) to customers. A fair warning must be provided when

  • A product presents potential dangers
  • The manufacturer knows of the dangers
  • The threat persists even when the product is used correctly, and
  • The threat may not seem evident to the user

Additionally, the manufacturer must provide instructions on how to use their products safely.

If the lack of adequate warning caused you bodily injuries, the manufacturer could be held accountable through a product liability claim. The same is true if the product has a design defect or manufacturing defect that turns it into a hazard. Some defects can cause catastrophic injuries that justify damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering stemming from the accident.

You have a limited time to file your claim. The statute of limitations in Florida states that you have up to 2 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit, but you should always file sooner if you can. There are exceptions to this 2 year time-frame. For example, if the incident occurred on or before March 24, 2023, you will have 4 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit.

Miami Personal Injury Lawyer Offering Free Consultations for Grilling Accidents

Suffering from a burn injury can be devastating and difficult to deal with. It could take you weeks or months of intensive care and medical treatment to heal. During this time, you may wonder how you are going to be able to pay for all your expenses. Miami defective product lawyer Prosper Shaked can hold the wrongdoers accountable for your losses. You may be able to obtain compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. If you or a loved one was injured by a grill fire or propane tank explosion we can help. To learn more about your potential case in a free, confidential consultation, call Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA today at (305) 694-2676.