With such a wide reach, Atmos is responsible for maintaining thousands of miles of pipeline. The company has an obligation to its employees and the millions of customers it delivers gas to. If it overlooks safety standards in any way, fails to replace aging pipelines, or does not exercise due diligence in investigating leaks or other incidents, innocent people may pay the ultimate price.
If you or someone you know was harmed in an Atmos pipeline explosion or at any Atmos facility, contact Arnold & Itkin. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights and options during a free, confidential consultation.
Atmos Accountable for Pipeline Explosion that Claimed a Child’s Life
On February 23, 2018, a 12-year-old girl’s life was tragically cut short when her family’s Northwest Dallas home exploded. Several of her family members were also injured in the blast, which was caused by a natural gas pipeline owned and operated by Atmos Energy. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that gas leaks were detected in the area nearly two months earlier. The NTSB also found that Atmos knew of two other suspected gas leaks, a non-fatal house explosion and a fire at two other properties nearby—but did not conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents to find the source of the leaks.
NTSB investigators found a crack in a two-inch gas line behind the house. As a result of the leak, natural gas accumulated underneath the residential street where the girl and her family lived. It eventually exploded, claiming her life. The NTSB attributed the incident to “insufficient leak investigation” and “inadequate pipeline management” by Atmos Energy. Atmos now faces $1.6 million in fines for its failure to prevent this tragedy.
Tragically, the deadly explosion was caught on video. The girl was recording on her cell phone while she prepared for a cheerleading competition when the pipeline exploded.
Atmos Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion Kills 2
Two workers were killed and two were hospitalized in an Atmos Energy pipeline explosion on June 28, 2021. The incident occurred just north of Farmersville in Collin County, Texas. Two of the workers were Atmos Energy subcontractors, one was an employee of Bobcat Contracting, and one was a Fesco Petroleum Engineering worker. They were performing pipeline maintenance when the explosion occurred. The cause is still under investigation.
Learn How Our Atmos Energy Accident Lawyers Can Help You
The above incidents show that Atmos has failed to make adequate efforts to protect the communities it serves. Its mismanagement of proprietary pipelines and storage assets can cause irreparable harm in the form of catastrophic injuries and deaths that leave families struggling for answers. The company says it's focusing on upgrading pipelines in at-risk areas, but is this enough? Who else will suffer when a pipeline explodes?
At Arnold & Itkin, we represent oil and gas workers, individuals, and families who have suffered unimaginable losses in pipeline explosions and other gas-related accidents. These cases are important because they help people get answers, find peace of mind, and begin to put the pieces of their lives back together after. Our clients come to us during the worst times of their lives. We fight to set things right again.
Our Atmos Energy lawsuit attorneys are uniquely qualified to help because:
- We provide a free, confidential consultation to discuss your options.
- We handle pipeline accident cases on contingency—you only pay if we win.
- Our firm charges no upfront costs for our services.
- Our attorneys have recovered over $20 billion for the injured and wronged.
- We treat our clients like family.
- We never give up and never settle for less than our clients deserve.
Find out how our firm can help you. Contact our Atmos Energy accident lawyers today for your free consultation.
