Burns and explosions can happen in nearly any setting, including:

• Defective propane tanks or gas grills
• Dangerous consumer products (e.g., lithium-ion batteries, cooking appliances)
• Electrical fires due to faulty wiring
• Improperly stored flammable materials
• Negligent premises (e.g., apartment buildings, party venues, hotels)
• Construction site explosions or chemical burns
• Backyard fire pits or party-related accidents

1. Product Liability (Defective Products)

You can sue a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer if a defective product caused your injuries.

Examples include:

• Faulty propane tanks or regulators
• Exploding batteries (e.g., vape pens, e-bikes, power tools)
• Kitchen appliances 

These cases fall under strict liability, meaning you don’t need to prove negligence — only that the product was defective (by design or manufacture), was in the same, or reasonably similar, condition, and caused harm.

2. Negligent Property Owners (Premises Liability)

If your burn injury occurred on someone else’s property, you may be able to sue the owner or possessor for unsafe conditions.

This includes:

• Fires in rental units (e.g., due to missing, or faulty, smoke detectors)
• Poorly maintained grills or fire pits
• Commercial buildings with dangerous conditions or appliances. 

Property owners have a duty of reasonable care to maintain a safe environment for guests and tenants.

3. Workplace or Contractor Negligence

Employees injured in explosions may be covered by workers’ compensation, but if a third party (like a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer) is responsible, a third-party lawsuit may be possible.

Burns range in severity and often require extensive treatment:

• First-degree: Redness and pain
• Second-degree: Blistering and swelling
• Third-degree: Full-thickness burns affecting nerves and tissue
• Inhalation injuries: Damage to lungs from smoke or chemicals
• Chemical burns: From exposure to cleaning agents, acids, etc.

Victims may face:

• Skin graft surgeries
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Nerve damage
• Emotional trauma, including PTSD
• Long-term rehabilitation and therapy

If your injury was caused by negligence or a defective product, you may be entitled to:

Compensatory Damages, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering (past and future)
• Lost wages (past and future)

In addition to compensatory damages, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish and deter reckless or egregious conduct.

• Missouri: 5 years from the date of injury or 3 years for wrongful death claims. 
• Kansas: 2 years from the date of injury

Don’t delay — evidence in explosion and fire cases can disappear quickly.