Tag Archives: natural gas

Unsweetened Legal Battle

Chocolate factory disaster

A natural gas leak has been identified as the possible determining factor in an explosion that took place in a chocolate factory, located in Berks County, PA. Although authorities are still investigating the exact reason for the explosion, the impact was so intense that it leveled one of the factory buildings. The blast caused the deaths of seven employees. In a new lawsuit filed against the chocolate factory owner, R.M. Palmer Co., the plaintiff is claiming that employees complained about smelling the scent of natural gas on the day of the explosion; however, the owner allegedly ignored their concerns. Continue reading →

Explosive Settlement for Merrimack Valley, MA

Residents left to pick up the pieces

At the end of July 2019, a $143 million settlement was announced, connected to a September 2018 Massachusetts natural gas explosion that left one resident dead and 25 other residents injured. Other individuals were also affected, as 100 buildings and homes in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover were damaged. Due to the shared misfortune following the explosion, a class action lawsuit was filed against Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and NiSource Inc. A judge is now left to evaluate the terms of the settlement for approval. In the opinion of some, $143 million is only a small price to pay for the inconvenience and suffering of those who were forced to live without services of natural gas and must also rebuild their lives and homes. Continue reading →

UGI, You Ain’t Got No Alibi

Black background for a cool effect

Pennsylvania-based utilities company, UGI, and the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement have submitted a joint settlement regarding a deadly 2011 Allentown natural gas explosion. UGI has agreed to pay $386,000, the maximum fine possible. They also need to increase their efforts to replace cast-iron pipeline that played a role in the tragic incident. The natural gas explosion killed five people, injured dozens, and destroyed numerous homes. The investigation following the event alleged that UGI had ignored warning signs for the explosion. Had they been addressed the catastrophe could have been prevented.