Power Boat Explosion Lawyers in PA
Especially during the summer months, unfortunately, many individuals will suffer a wrongful death or be catastrophically injured as a result of a power boat explosion accident. Most power boat explosions in Pennsylvania are the fault of negligence or a defective product and generally do not happen on their own.
In 2010, there were close to 3,000 boat explosions while fueling in the United States and most often, the consequences are deadly and catastrophic. Most boat explosions are caused by improper ventilation or the failure or non-use of a blower system for a period of time prior to starting the boat’s engine. Many times a static electricity or an electrical short can ignite fuel vapors, which tend to settle in the bilges or engine compartment. When fueling a boat, it is important to have proper ventilation. A boater may want to open the engine hatches as well as running the blower in the engine space and checking the exhaust port to make sure it is discharging air before refueling. Many times a blower does not operate properly or people simply do not use it. As chance favors a prepared mind, it is also a good idea to have a gas fume detector or odor detector, in addition to using your nose. Engine compartments on boats tend to build up a lot of heat and it is also a good idea to vent prior to turning on the ignition key. Often, boat fuel lines and fuel systems are improperly designed or contain manufacturing defects, resulting in fuel spills and overflow, which are easily combustible.
As skilled Philadelphia power boat explosion lawyers for over three decades, at Reiff & Bily, we are also aware that boat manufacturers have a choice whether to use flammable or non-flammable materials in the construction process, as well as proper fire suppression equipment and safeguards. It is important that a fuel nozzle be grounded to the fuel pipe during fueling and that all boating electrical systems should be properly maintained to reduce electrical ignition. Sources and bonding ground systems should be used on all boats with fixed electrical systems and all exhaust, motors, and vents must be properly installed and maintained by boat manufacturers and owners. Almost all boat explosions involve an element of negligence or wrongdoing, as boats simply do not explode on their own.
The Pennsylvania boat accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily have represented generations of Pennsylvanians and their families who have sustained catastrophic injuries or wrongful death due to negligence, product liability, and premise liability in relation to boating explosion accidents. Our skilled trial lawyers have been named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and have been awarded judgments, settlements, and verdicts in excess of seven figures.
