Fire And Explosions

Fire and explosions on the job can leave workers with life-changing injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and serious fears about the future. When a fire or blast happens at work in New Jersey, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and, in some cases, additional compensation from negligent third parties. ​

New Jersey Workplace Fire And Explosions

Workplace fire and explosions occur in factories, warehouses, construction sites, offices, hospitals, refineries, and many other work environments across New Jersey. These incidents often stem from preventable safety lapses, equipment failures, or violations of state and federal safety standards. ​

Common causes of workplace fire and explosions include:

  • Faulty electrical wiring, overloaded circuits, or defective electrical equipment.
  • “Hot work” activities, such as welding, cutting, or grinding, near flammable materials.
  • ​Improperly stored or handled flammable liquids, gases, and chemicals.
  • Combustible dust from wood, grain, coal, metal, or other industrial materials.
  • Poor maintenance of machinery, overheating equipment, or mechanical sparks.
  • Lack of proper ventilation, fire suppression systems, or emergency procedures.

No matter how your workplace’s fire or explosion incident occurred, New Jersey law does not require you to prove fault to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. If you were hurt in the course of your employment, you may have a valid claim. ​

Common Injuries From Fire And Explosions

Fire and explosions at work can cause some of the most severe injuries seen in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Many workers face long hospital stays, painful procedures, and permanent limitations after these events. ​

Frequent injuries from workplace fire and explosions include: ​

  • First, second, and third-degree burns.
  • Smoke inhalation and lung damage.
  • Blast injuries, including traumatic brain injury and hearing loss.
  • Shrapnel wounds, fractures, and crush injuries.
  • Disfigurement, scarring, and loss of limbs.
  • Emotional trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.

Serious burn and blast injuries often require surgeries, skin grafts, physical therapy, and long-term pain management. Many injured workers are unable to return to their previous jobs or work at all for extended periods, making full financial recovery critical. ​

Your Rights After A Workplace Fire Or Explosion

New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide injured employees with medical treatment and financial support after job-related accidents, including fire and explosions. You are generally covered from your first day of employment, whether you work full-time, part-time, or seasonally. ​

If you were injured in fire and explosions at work, you may be entitled to: ​

  • Payment of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injuries.
  • Temporary disability benefits replace a portion of your lost wages while you cannot work.
  • Permanent partial or total disability benefits are available if your injuries leave lasting impairments.
  • Death benefits are paid to eligible family members when a worker is killed in a workplace fire or explosion.

Workers’ compensation is usually your primary remedy against your employer, but it is not always the only source of recovery. In some cases, you may also have a separate personal injury claim against negligent third parties whose actions helped cause the fire or explosion. ​

Potential third parties in workplace fire and explosions cases can include: ​

  • Property owners and landlords who failed to maintain safe premises or fire protection systems.
  • Equipment and machinery manufacturers that supplied defective or unreasonably dangerous products.
  • Contractors and subcontractors are responsible for unsafe hot work, poor site coordination, or code violations.
  • Suppliers of flammable chemicals, gases, or materials that lacked proper warnings or instructions.

Exploring every possible source of compensation can help cover medical costs, lost income, future care, and the full impact of your injuries. ​

How A New Jersey Fire And Explosions Lawyer Can Help

Serious workplace fire and explosions cases involve complex investigations, technical evidence, and insurance companies that work hard to limit payouts. An experienced New Jersey attorney who understands both workers’ compensation and personal injury law can protect your rights at every step. ​

A lawyer handling workplace fire and explosions can: ​

  • Conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire or explosion, working with fire, engineering, or safety experts when needed.
  • Identify all potentially responsible parties, including employers, property owners, equipment makers, and contractors.
  • Secure and preserve critical evidence, including incident reports, maintenance records, surveillance footage, and witness statements.
  • Handle all communications and negotiations with workers’ compensation carriers and liability insurers.
  • Calculate the full value of your losses, including future medical needs, reduced earning ability, and non-economic harm in third-party cases.
  • Represent you at workers’ compensation hearings or in court, if the insurance company refuses to pay what you are owed.

New Jersey workers injured in workplace fires and explosions often face pressure to return to work too soon or accept a quick settlement. Having a dedicated advocate on your side helps ensure your case is built on solid evidence and focused on your long-term recovery. ​

Steps To Take After A Workplace Fire Or Explosion

The actions you take immediately after a workplace fire or explosion can affect both your health and your legal rights. Although every case varies, certain steps remain essential for injured workers in New Jersey.

After workplace fires and explosions, workers should: ​

  • Seek emergency medical care right away, even if you have no immediately obvious injuries.
  • Report the incident and your injuries to a supervisor or employer as soon as you are able.
  • Ask to complete or review a written incident report and keep a copy for your records.
  • Follow all medical advice, attend appointments, and keep records of your treatment.
  •  Do not provide recorded statements or sign any documents for insurance companies until you have consulted with an attorney.
  • Preserve any photos, videos, or clothing from the scene, and document the names and contact information of witnesses if possible.

New Jersey law imposes deadlines for reporting work injuries and filing workers’ compensation claims. Consulting a lawyer promptly helps ensure that the paperwork is correctly filed and important time limits are met.

Compensation Available In Fire And Explosions Cases

Every case involving workplace fire and explosions is unique, but the compensation available generally falls into two categories: workers’ compensation benefits and, when applicable, damages from third-party lawsuits.

Workers’ compensation benefits may include: ​

  • All reasonable medical treatment related to your work injuries.
  • A percentage of your average wages while you are temporarily disabled.
  • Payments for permanent partial or total disability are based on the severity of your impairments.
  • Funeral expenses and ongoing support for dependents in fatal cases.

If a negligent third party contributed to the fire or explosion, a separate personal injury claim may also allow recovery for: ​

  • Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Full lost wages and loss of future earning capacity.
  • Additional medical, rehabilitation, and long-term care expenses that are not fully covered by workers’ compensation.
  • Scarring, disfigurement, and other permanent changes to your appearance or abilities.

An attorney experienced with workplace fires and explosions can evaluate how New Jersey workers’ compensation rules interact with any third-party claims, including issues like reimbursement and liens, so that your total financial recovery is maximized. ​

Talk To A New Jersey Workplace Fire And Explosions Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured in workplace fire and explosions anywhere in New Jersey, you do not have to navigate the legal system yourself. A lawyer who understands both workers’ compensation and serious injury litigation can help you pursue the benefits and compensation you need to move forward.

Nugent Law has been helping individuals with Workers’ Compensation claims for over 38 years and stands ready to help. Contact our New Jersey attorney experienced in fires and explosions today to discuss your situation, learn about your options, and take the next step toward protecting your health, your job, and your future. ​Call us today at (856) 596-9770 or send us a message to schedule your free consultation.