Fire & Explosion

Overview

Fire and explosion cases demand Lightfoot's experienced, detail-oriented litigation counsel.

When it comes to representing clients in fire and explosion litigation, Lightfoot’s lawyers are a triple threat: They have the courtroom experience, scientific understanding and detail-oriented approach these complex cases demand. Because of this combination, we have become a go-to firm for this type of work, representing clients around the country in claims and lawsuits involving catastrophic injuries, deaths and costly property damage. Whether a massive explosion, a simple structure fire, a multimillion-dollar property loss or a traumatic burn injury, Lightfoot's skilled lawyers are ready to dig in and tackle the most challenging of cases, big or small.

Lightfoot's years of experience have allowed us to develop a fine-tuned process that covers everything from site inspections through trial. We know favorable outcomes depend on the details, such as tracking down hard-to-find witnesses and conducting a careful examination of all evidence. Our lawyers never take anything at face value.

Expert witnesses represent a crucial part of any fire and explosion lawsuit. Whether representing plaintiffs or defendants, Lightfoot works with experts to develop our client’s side of the story and present it in a clear, concise and compelling manner. Our deep scientific knowledge in this area makes us well-equipped to pick apart an opposing expert’s theory and establish the groundwork for potential exclusion.

Above all else, we serve our clients. That means we keep their goals in mind every step of the way. Whether that means seeking early resolution or taking the case through trial, we factor the unique needs of each particular client into every decision we make.

Representative Matters

Obtaining a defense verdict for a valve manufacturer in a propane gas explosion case in South Carolina in which two propane workers suffered serious life-altering burns and claimed out-of-pocket damages in excess of $3.5 million.

Defending a multiple-fatality case where plaintiffs alleged that a house fire resulted from a water heater installation. At trial, compelling demonstrative exhibits were used to illustrate fire patterns that were inconsistent with the claimed origin of the fire. Following opening statements, where the demonstrative exhibits were revealed, the case settled for an amount previously offered by our client weeks before trial.

Obtaining a defense verdict in a fire case filed by a church in Tennessee where the plaintiff contended that a baptistry immersion heater manufactured by our client caused a fire and approximately $500,000 in resulting property damage.

Defending a multiple-fatality house fire case for a major gas utility where the plaintiffs alleged that a regulator malfunctioned. Lightfoot’s team reconstructed the house fire scenario in a laboratory environment. At trial, we were able to demonstrate that the plaintiffs' theory contradicted scientific and commonsense principles, and that the fire was the result of combustibles left next to a space heater. Following our opening statement, the case settled for an amount significantly less than the plaintiffs’ prior demands.

Defending a high-stakes case in Texas involving a fatal house fire. The decedent’s children filed suit in one of the state’s most hostile venues and alleged that a defective appliance caused the fire. Lightfoot’s lawyers vigorously defended the case and, through detailed scene inspections, were able to identify evidence indicating that the product at issue was not in operation when the fire started. Using scene photographs and expert affidavits, our lawyers successfully convinced the plaintiffs to voluntarily dismiss the product manufacturer from the suit and to instead focus on an alternative ignition source that they had not previously identified.