In 2015, a gas explosion occurred in the East Village on Second Avenue in New York City, leveling three buildings. There were two deaths, and 19 people were hurt. The damaged buildings comprised 49 apartments, according to fire officials at the time.
The fire department and rescue workers with K9 units searched for the missing bodies until they found the badly burned bodies days later after digging through the debris. The two deaths were a restaurant worker and a diner in the sushi restaurant on the ground level of one of the collapsed buildings, who were killed in the explosion.
Illegal Gas Line Was the Cause of the East Village Explosion
The NY gas explosion was determined to have been caused by an illegal gas line that used a rubber hose to circumvent the Con Edison gas meter. Months before the explosion, inspectors found the rigged gas line and issued safety violations. No one was charged with any wrongdoing at that time.
Building Owner, Workers Found Guilty of Manslaughter in the East Village Explosion
In 2020, the building owner and two workers were found guilty of manslaughter in the second degree and assault in the second and third degrees, among other charges. When the trial began in September 2019, prosecutors said the defendants’ actions showed “blatant disregard for the well-being of others.”
Following the East Village explosion, New York City issued over 2,600 violations for illegal gas lines.
Harlem Gas Explosion Killed Eight People, Injured More Than 50
Another incident involving a gas explosion occurred in 2014 in Harlem, killing eight people, wounding more than 50 people, and displacing more than 100 families. Con Edison had been called to check out the heavy gas odor at two buildings by 116th Street and Park Avenue in East Harlem. Twenty minutes later, the buildings were leveled by an explosion. City officials said a gas leak touched off the explosion.
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation faulted both Con Edison and New York City for the incident. Con Edison’s poor welding of two gas pipes caused the blast. The NTSB said Con Ed’s failure to notify the fire department faster once it learned of the gas odor was a factor in what occurred. Additionally, the city’s inability to fix a damaged neighboring sewer line was a contributing factor.
Con Edison reached a $153 million settlement with the state and issued undisclosed payments to at least 90 victims. The settlement includes a $25.1 million fund to benefit gas customers, and covers costs to fix gas pipes, improve responses to leaks, compensate residents and businesses injured by the explosion, and improve education.
Legal Support for Gas Explosion Victims
The attorneys at Ronemus & Vilensky help victims and families who have lost their loved ones as a result of a gas explosion. For more than 40 years, they have been representing people to get the compensation and help they are entitled to.
In fact, Ronemus & Vilensky represented about 10 victims in the Harlem gas explosion. In addition to suing the City of New York, the law firm sued Con Edison for failing to maintain their 100-year-old gas lines and the property owner for negligence in maintaining the building.
Attorney Robert Vilensky’s clients, in particular, faced problems that ranged from hearing loss to torn ligaments to anxiety disorders. Following the explosion, Vilensky said, “Many of my clients have post-traumatic stress, and they just keep on experiencing flashbacks and depression. They are scared.”
Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Ronemus & Vilensky
Building explosions can cause severe injuries and death. Ronemus & Vilensky are experienced New York City gas explosion lawyers. Many gas explosions result from negligence on the part of gas companies and their employees (due to improperly installed gas lines) and property owners who rig the gas line.
Some of our services include:
- Investigating the incident to determine the cause(s) behind the blast
- Gathering evidence from the explosion
- Talking with witnesses and obtaining testimonies on behalf of our clients
- Investigating the city, the gas company, the property owner, etc., responsible for the explosion
- Collecting medical reports and damage statements
- Ensuring the accuracy of the statements, evidence, and documents submitted to the court, our clients, and the defendants in each case
- Aggressively negotiating full and fair compensation on behalf of our clients
The types of things you may be able to claim as damages include:
- Economic losses: These can consist of past and future medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, lost earning potential, and any out-of-pocket costs you may have incurred.
- Non-economic losses: These include claims for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental and emotional distress, and inconvenience.
- Permanent impairment and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Contact the personal injury attorneys at Ronemus & Vilensky for a free consultation.
