Grain Elevator Explosion Lawyers
Helping Survivors of Grain Elevator Explosions Find Answers
When someone thinks of jobs with an increased risk of explosion, they’ll likely think of a handful of industries. Chemical plants, refineries, and oil rigs are common worksites that have serious explosions. Yet, there’s another explosion-prone worksite that thousands of workers spend hours around each day: grain elevators. Standing at heights of over 100 feet, grain elevators are filled with explosive material that can be ignited with a single spark.
If you’ve suffered because of a grain elevator explosion, call the grain elevator explosion lawyers from Arnold & Itkin today for a free consultation. We're here to help.
What Causes Grain Elevator Explosions?
While many industrial explosions are associated with highly toxic and combustible products, grain elevators house a less worried about danger. While grain is harmless to humans, storing large quantities of it can be dangerous to them thanks to its highly flammable properties. When they’re suspended in an elevator, grain particles become the feeding source of large explosions.
Grain elevators have three significant elements that lead to explosions:
- A high concentration of grain particles
- An enclosed spaced
- Oxygen
The characteristics listed above make companies that operate grain elevators especially responsible for making sure they take the right steps to prevent explosions. Unsafe and poorly maintained grain elevators can operate for years—or even decades—without an incident. It takes the right sequence of events and an ignition source to turn a once innocuous grain elevator into an accidental bomb.
Grain elevator explosion injuries include the following:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Acoustic trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Smoke inhalation
- Traumatic brain injuries
- And more
When grain elevator explosions don’t kill nearby workers, they cause injuries that can change the course of their lives. Companies have the legal and ethical responsibility to protect employees by making sure grain elevators are adequately ventilated, have the necessary safety equipment, and are completely shielded from any type of ignition source. When preventable explosions cause workers to suffer from lost wages, medical bills, and other financial damages, they deserve compensation from the negligent party that caused them.
