Chapel Hill Gas Leaks Injury Lawyer
We Accept Cases Across North Carolina
Gas leaks are an insidious hazard in residential and commercial properties, and the consequences of a leak can be devastating, including catastrophic injuries resulting from an explosion.
To date, we have won several substantial settlements, including $5.5 million for a deadly explosion prompted by a gas leak.
Attorney John W. Jensen has over 25 years of experience in personal injury case and has honored with an AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the highest level of professional excellence. You can have confidence that we will properly research your case, negotiate aggressively, and be fully prepared to litigate if necessary.
Call Jensen Law Group at (919) 335-7910 today for a free consultation.
Understanding Liability in Gas Leak Incidents
Gas leak injuries often involve a combination of regulatory violations, maintenance failures, and mismanaged infrastructure. Identifying the source of negligence is crucial to building a strong legal claim.
The “Odorization” Requirement: Propane vs. Natural Gas
One of the most critical factors in gas leak cases is whether the gas was properly odorized. Both natural gas and propane are naturally odorless, making them invisible hazards until something goes wrong. Legally, companies are required to add Ethyl Mercaptan (the chemical responsible for the “rotten egg” smell) so you can detect leaks early.
However, certain conditions can render this safety measure ineffective. “Odor fade” occurs when new steel pipes, moisture, or other factors absorb the scent, preventing residents from detecting the gas.
In cases where a house exploded and resulted in fatalities, determining whether the supplier took sufficient steps to provide a detectable odor is often a key component of the legal strategy. If the gas was undetectable despite proper odorization, the supplier may still face liability.
Infrastructure “Custody” and Maintenance
Another critical consideration in gas leak cases is ownership and maintenance of the pipes. Generally, the utility company, such as Duke Energy or Piedmont, is responsible for the gas line up to the meter. Beyond that point, buried lines serving secondary appliances, pool heaters, or guest houses are often the responsibility of the property owner.
Landlords may be liable if these customer-owned lines were not properly inspected or maintained. Corrosion, improper installation, or lack of periodic checks can turn these lines into ticking time bombs. Proving negligence often involves reviewing maintenance records, inspection logs, and regulatory compliance documentation.
We are familiar with the aging infrastructure in older Chapel Hill neighborhoods near Franklin Street, as well as the modern high-pressure lines serving the newer developments along the NC-54 corridor. This means we can quickly identify which municipal or private entity had "custody" of a leaking line and which specific local codes may have been violated.
Furthermore, Attorney Jensen is a former defense attorney for insurers and corporations, giving us unique insight into how opposing parties evaluate and contest gas leak claims. We also limit our caseload so we can provide you with a focused and client-centered level of attention.
The Gas Company's Duty to Respond to Reported Leaks
When a gas leak is reported, the gas company is not free to respond at its leisure. Under federal pipeline safety regulations and industry protocols established by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), utility companies are required to dispatch trained personnel promptly, assess the severity of the leak, take immediate action to shut off the gas supply if necessary, and test surrounding structures for dangerous gas accumulation before clearing the scene. These protocols exist for one reason: because the window between a reported leak and a catastrophic explosion can be measured in minutes.
When a gas company receives a leak report and fails to follow these required procedures—whether by delaying their response, skipping atmospheric readings of nearby buildings, failing to close upstream valves, or prematurely clearing the scene—that failure can be the direct cause of a preventable explosion.
Our firm has handled cases in which a gas leak was timely reported to the utility company, the company was aware of the danger, and yet employees failed to follow the very protocols designed to prevent disaster. In those cases, the resulting explosion was not an accident but the foreseeable consequence of negligence.
If you or a loved one were injured in an explosion following a reported gas leak, the utility company's response, and whether it followed proper protocol, is one of the first things we investigate.
Statewide Representation from Our Local Office
Recovering from a gas leak injury involves both physical and financial considerations. At Jensen Law Group, we work on a contingency basis, so you won’t pay legal fees unless we secure a recovery. We also offer virtual consultations, making it easy to connect with our team no matter where you are in North Carolina.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a gas leak, taking prompt legal action can help seek accountability and compensation. Our lawyer is ready to investigate the incident, uncover the source of negligence, and pursue the justice you deserve.
Call today at (919) 335-7910 or contact us online to schedule an appointment anywhere in North Carolina.
