First negligence lawsuit filed following New York explosion

Our past premises liability post discussed a fatal New York City explosion that occurred in Harlem last week. Investigators have determined that the blast that took down two apartment buildings is linked to an old gas line running through the area.

According to what is the first personal injury lawsuit after the incident, that gas line should have been fixed or no longer in use. A 20-year-old who was injured in the gas explosion is suing the city over its alleged negligence regarding the hazardous gas line.

New York Daily News indicates that the gas line that leaked and caused the deadly blow was about 125 years old. Without proper maintenance, it wouldn’t be surprising that century-old gas line would have leaks or other structural problems.

Did the city fail to properly evaluate the condition of the gas line? Did the city know that the gas line was likely compromised and in need of maintenance? The New Yorker’s negligent maintenance lawsuit will undoubtedly address those questions about liability.

The plaintiff of this case was in a bus in the Harlem area when the gas leak erupted into the explosion that destroyed property and killed eight victims. Though the plaintiff is fortunate to have survived the accident, he claims that he suffered bodily injuries that will require physical therapy.

It hasn’t even been a week since the tragic New York incident. With lives lost and various other injuries suffered, this negligence lawsuit probably is just one of several to come. We will post updates as there are developments in this matter.

Source: New York Daily News, “High schooler sues New York City over East Harlem explosion injuries,” Ben Chapman and Corky Siemaszko, March 17, 2014