California Gas Explosion Kills 4, Injures More Than 50
Last week's deadly pipeline explosion killed at least four people, injured more than 50 and burned 38 San Bruno, California homes. Although the accident of this size are rare, significant incidents, i.e. those that result in injury of death, cause more that $50,000 in property damage, release a sizeable amount of material, or accidentally catch fire or explode, are relatively common. Nationwide in 2009, 265 serious pipeline accidents occurred, resulting in 14 deaths and 63 injuries.
Although PG&E has set aside up to $100 million to compensate residents, the fund won't cover claims for personal injury or wrongful death. The facts and circumstances of the explosion are yet to be determined, however in accidents of this magnitude it is likely questions will be raised whether PG & E was negligent in its maintenance of the lines or in allowing an unreasonably dangerous condition to exist. Pipleline explosions can cause lifelong injuries including traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
This accident highlights the risk of more explosions from the thousands of aging pipelines, including 12,000 miles of pipeline throughout California. Here, the pipeline was more than 50 years old, had one section that was "unacceptably high" and was in a densely populated area.
Hopefully, this tragic accident will raise awareness of the unseen danger that runs underneath many communities throughout California and the nation, and the need to address the problem before more serious injuries and fatalities occur.
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