Attorney Blog

Gas Explosion Larimore North Dakota illustrates dangers with propane and natural gas

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

The recent gas explosion in Larimore North Dakota serves as a reminder that propane and natural gas can be extremely dangerous. Two adults were seriously injured and an infant killed when leaking propane was ignited by the spark created by a water pump switch. We recently concluded a similar case where a valve in a gas line that served a gas clothes dryer in the basement of a home, recently purchased out of a foreclosure, was opened in belief that the line served a gas fireplace on the main floor. The line spewed natural gas into the home for about 27 hours until it exploded demolishing the home and seriously burning two people. Immediate investigation allowed us to determine the origin and cause of the explosion and preserve key evidence.

We also learned during the litigation that uncapped gas lines were much, much more common in foreclosure properties. The departing owners disconnect gas appliances and neglect capping the open end of the appliance line. Current code requirements provide that valves must be located much closer to the appliance than former code provisions. This helps prevent the problem of mistaking what appliance a valve controls.

For natural gas or propane to "explode" the concentration has to be within the explosive range for that gas. That is, the concentration has to be between what is known as the LEL or Lower Explosive Limit and UEL or Upper Explosive Limit. Anything that moves or mixes the gas with the air in the structure, such as walking through a home after opening a door etc., can suddenly bring the gas within the explosive range.

Whiplash Injuries can be Successfully Treated

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Radio Frequency Facet Neurotomy (RFN)treatments have proven to offer excellent relief for whiplash sufferers. Research has identified that about 60% of the time chronic neck pain from car accidents is being caused by damage to the facet joints. In those cases the involvement of the facet joints can be ruled in or out with great accuracy. If ruled in the odds the RFN treatment will provide relief is very high.

It was long believed that chronic whiplash pain was caused by damaged ligaments, tendons and muscle tissue in the neck. (The "soft-tissues") It was believed that during a collision the neck was flexed and extended beyond its normal range of motion and that this caused microscopic tearing of the soft-tissues and that resulting scar tissue irritated nerves and caused other problems. Researchers began to question this because in a rear-end collision the most damage theoretically should have occurred in the anterior (front) of the neck. Yet, although anterior neck complaints were not uncommon they almost always disappeared and the posterior neck and base of the skull was where symptoms persisted. A group of Australian doctors, through much testing, finally determined that that vast majority of the time the symptoms were coming from the facet joints in the neck. Anesthetizing the nerve to the joint provided relief until the anesthesia wore off. Around 1995 biomechanical engineers, using very high speed moving x-ray technology confirmed that the facet joints were jamming into each other in whiplash accidents.

Today the conditon can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Anesthetic injections help diagnose the conditon and if confirmed a small 2 mm burn in the nerve that serves the facet joint is make. In short, the wire that carries the pain signal to the brain is cut. The nerve ends will usually regenerate and reconnect in 9-15 months but the procedure can be repeated.

Liability for serving alcohol to friends over the holidays in Minnesota

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Typically only bars and liquor stores (establishments licensed to sell alcohol) can be held liable for "illegal sales" of alcohol. Minnesota does, however, have a limited Social Host liability statute. Anybody over the age of 21 who sells, furnishes or gives alcohol to a minor can be held liable for the harm caused by the intoxication of the minor. The intoxicated minor does not have a claim but the minor's parents can bring a claim in certain instances. Note that this law also places liability on those who knowingly allow underage drinking on their premises! Allowing your minor child to hold a party where alcohol is consumed is the obvious example but the law might reach as far as hotels etc. knowing allowing minors to drink in the rooms or elsewhere on the premises. It is common for high school students to get rooms at hotels for the night of Christmas Formal or Prom. As of yet there is no caselaw in Minneosta interpreting this particular provision of the statute.

MN | Texting While Driving | Car Crash

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Attorney Gary Hazelton wrote an amazing article about the dangers of texting while driving.

To learn more about this problem, click here.