A massive leak from Colonial Pipeline’s Line 1 recently prompted both Alabama and Georgia to declare a state of emergency over concerns of fuel shortages after an estimated 346,000 gallons of gasoline spewed from an underground section of the pipeline. The leak, which was discovered on September 9, 2016 south of Birmingham, Alabama after a worker smelled gasoline fumes, led to a 12-day shutdown of the 1.3 million-barrel-a-day pipeline, sparking a massive fuel shortage throughout a majority of the Southeast United States.

While the pipeline has now been restarted, considerable work still remains to clean up the leaked fuel, much of which flowed overland to a mining retention pond roughly 500 feet away. High levels of unsafe gasoline vapors have thus far prevented efforts to dig out the leaking section of the pipeline. The extent of the environmental impact of the spill has yet to be determined, though reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that seven dead mammals have been recovered at the site, along with four turtles and two birds. The United States Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is currently investigating the cause of the leak, as well as any indicators of a potential failure of operators to adhere to pipeline safety standards.

This incident serves as a prime example of why petroleum companies must regularly inspect pipelines for corrosion and closely monitor their structural integrity to ensure the safety of people throughout the United States. As a result of the spill, nearby residents as well as sensitive wildlife and endangered species native to the Cahaba River may be at risk of exposure to dangerous levels of volatile petroleum fumes. While much of the spill was contained to a relatively small area, its proximity to a nearby major water intake has prompted concern from many over the safety of local drinking water. As it stands, the EPA has yet to issue any sort of formal safety warnings related to the incident.

BIRMINGHAM PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

If you or a loved one have become ill from gasoline exposure in connection with the Colonial Pipeline spill or suffered property damage, contact Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law. Our AV Preeminent® Rated attorneys have fought to protect the rights of injured clients for more than 25 years and have secured millions in verdicts and settlements along the way. To find out if you are eligible to receive compensation, we invite you to contact our office online or call us today at (888) 906-3955.

Residents of Pascagoula, Mississippi were given quite a scare during the late night hours of Monday, June 27^th, 2016 when an explosion at a local gas plant shook the area, causing a massive plume of fire to shoot up and light the night sky. The plant, located near Highways 90 and 63 in Jackson County, Mississippi, exploded at approximately 11:40 at night and continued to burn throughout the night into the following morning, completely blackening one of the facility’s natural gas towers. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the blast, as the two on-duty plant employees were sealed inside an explosion-proof room at the time of the explosion. The exact cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.

The fact that no injuries resulted from this catastrophe can be described as nothing short of a miracle, since most gas explosions like this result in extreme devastation. The force alone of a gas explosion can cause deafness, concussions, and internal bleeding, while the resulting extreme heat can cause horrific 3^rd degree burn injuries and lasting disfigurement. In many cases, explosion injury victims are left with enduring debilitation and a permanently reduced quality of life, requiring expensive round-the-clock medical care.

EXPLOSION ATTORNEYS IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Most explosion injuries are caused by another party’s negligence, such as a gas company’s failure to perform routine inspections or properly maintain gas mains. If you or a loved one has been injured in a gas explosion, you may have a claim to recover monetary compensation for a wide range of damages, including medical bills, pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, lost income, and emotional distress.

At Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys a Law, our Birmingham explosion injury lawyers have represented countless severe burn injury cases from blasts such as these and have recovered millions on our clients’ behalf along the way. With more than 25 years of proven legal experience and an AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® for our unparalleled skills and client satisfaction, we have what it takes to ensure your rights are protected during this difficult time.

Call (888) 906-3955 or schedule a no-cost case review today to find out if you have a claim.

When emergency responders and medical professionals treat a burn injury victim, they will categorize the burn injury by one degree or another. Most often, you will hear second-degree or third-degree burns, as these are the degrees that require medical attention the most often. But what does this degree system actually mean? Understanding the differences yourself could help you bolster your chances of success if you ever need to file a lawsuit after suffering a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence.

THE SIX DEGREES OF BURN INJURIES

Although you rarely hear of them all, there are actually six degrees of burn injuries, starting with:

• First: A first degree burn will range from mild to nearly-nonexistent. Skin around the burn will redden, gain increased sensitivity to heat, sunlight, and hot water, and may peel slightly. Beyond cool water, ice, and aloe applied to the wound, no medical attention is necessary and it will heal readily, assuming there is no infection.
• Second: A second degree burn can cause agonizing pain, depending on where it occurs. Skin will whiten, dry up, and crack if moved too much. The wound should be bandaged up after receiving medical treatment to avoid exposure to sunlight, heat, and anything else that may worsen it. People who suffer second degree burns should seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage from occurring, especially if the burn affects a joint, limb, or a broad area of the body. While second degree burns often do not require skin grafting, they can still be excruciatingly painful due to damaged nerve endings.
• Third: A third degree burn causes excruciating pain and deep tissue damage, often destroying muscles, nerves, and tendons. Skin affected by a third degree burn may blacken and will blister extensively. Immediately medical attention is required as third degree burns are often categorized by affecting 50% or more of the body. Skin grafts may be necessary to treat the injury, as well as surgery. In rare cases, amputation could be necessary to prevent spread of infection or necrosis caused by the burn injury.
• Fourth: A fourth degree burn is extremely dangerous and life-threatening, even if it only affects a small area of the body. The burn will be so intense that it destroys all flesh and bone in the area, possibly causing widespread harm to internal organs. Amputation is often required. If emergency medical attention is not immediately applied, the burn victim may not survive.
• Fifth and sixth: There is little mention of fifth and sixth degree burns due to the fact that burn injuries of this severity are not considered survivable. Extensive areas of the body are completely destroyed by burns, likely caused by prolonged direct exposure to open flames.

BUILDING YOUR CLAIM & SEEKING COMPENSATION

When you file a personal injury claim after suffering a burn injury, the liable party will likely challenge how much compensation you are seeking. In order to back up the amount you need, understanding the severity of burn injury degrees can help. It is also wise to strengthen your case with the help of a professional Birmingham burn injury lawyer from Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law. With more than 25 years of legal experience under our belts, we can provide you with the comprehensive and compassionate support you need and deserve.

Call 888.906.3955 to schedule a free case evaluation and ask about our contingency fees!