Up in Smoke

Our client, a nationwide marketer and distributor of energy products, hired us to defend it after one of its customers houses exploded. 

The house exploded resulting in significant burns to the owner. The owner filed an action against our client alleging that it, as the supplier of propane to his residence, was negligent in its duty of care. A separate action was filed by his insurance carrier for damages relating to the property, and a third action was filed by his neighbor for damage to his property following the explosion.

With the support of our client, Coughlin Midlige & Garland aggressively pursued all investigative avenues. Discovery revealed that the propane tanks belonging to our client had run dry three days before the explosion. Discovery also revealed that, contrary to his contractual obligations, the owner had tampered with the equipment and attempted to hook up a propane tank that was purchased from a local hardware store. The case that started out as a complex, multi-suit, consolidated action was slowly whittled down to a single personal injury claim that was ultimately dismissed by the Court. A total victory was achieved for our client.