AmeriGas Accident Lawyers
Billions of Dollars Won on Behalf of Injured Workers & Their Families
AmeriGas is the nation's leading propane company. According to a statement from their website, the company serves over 2 million residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and motor fuel propane customers from over 1,200 locations in all 50 states. The company markets propane, offers cylinder refill services, wholesale propane, supplies to the agricultural and farm bureau, and also provides tank monitoring services.
Many AmeriGas customers use the company's services for residential heaters, space heaters, water heaters, pool and spa heaters, and more. AmeriGas also serves the commercial industry by using their popular delivery service (i.e., tanker trucks and other commercial vehicles) to provide thousands of businesses across the country with propane for heating and energy purposes. AmeriGas owns and operates a total of 2,500 bobtail trucks, more than 2,000 delivery trucks, and nearly 300 rack trucks. These delivery vehicles transport AmeriGas product across the nation. Some trucks come equipped with bulk propane to fill on-site while other trucks are loaded with pre-filled propane tanks to be distributed.
This company is an active provider for the restaurant and hospitality industry. These industries use propane to cook, do laundry, heat rooms, and much more. AmeriGas propane frequently services thousands of restaurants and hotels across the nation. One of the other popular services that AmeriGas provides is its cylinder refill. At these warehouse dispensaries, consumers can come to have their empty propane tanks refilled.
AmeriGas Incident History
The company's motto is "Reliable, Safe, Responsive," but AmeriGas has had many incidents in their history.
In June 2008, a case was settled in favor of two property surveyors who were run over by an AmeriGas delivery truck. In fact, many incidents in the company's history involve AmeriGas truck distribution. One AmeriGas incident sparked a safety recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board. Propane is a hazardous material that must be transported with extreme care and caution because propane fires can be deadly. In August 2011, a fire broke out at the company's facility near the California-Nevada border. One employee was injured, and the fire caused significant damage.
Conroe: AmeriGas Texas Explosion
In the company's most recent accident, an explosion at a propane refill and dispensing site in Conroe, TX badly burned two workers and seriously injured numerous others.
According to a statement from an AmeriGas employee that witnessed the incident, workers were in the middle of a routine filling and stacking operation. While stacking and filling the propane tanks, someone at the facility stepped on a gas line. This allegedly caused a leak that was ignited by a spark. Employees at the site turned off the gas line immediately following the explosion, but the blast still injured many. The incident was initially investigated by the Montgomery County Fire Marshal investigators as well as investigation personnel from the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC). The TRC was involved because it is the entity responsible for the regulation of the industry.
AmeriGas Accident & Injury FAQ
As an AmeriGas worker, what should I do if I was injured in an accident?
If you were injured while driving for AmeriGas or while working at one of the company’s warehouses or distribution sites, you have the right to seek benefits for your medical care and lost earnings. You should seek medical attention and inform your supervisor or manager, as failing to report an on-the-job injury could jeopardize your right to receive workers’ compensation benefits. If you were seriously injured, you should consider talking to an attorney who has experience with industrial accident cases, particularly those involving propane and other hazardous substances. If someone other than your employer or a co-worker was at fault, you could have a separate personal injury lawsuit. With a competent lawyer to advise you, you can seek full and fair damages.
Can AmeriGas fire or demote me for reporting a workplace injury?
It is illegal for an employer to demote, terminate, or otherwise penalize an employee for reporting a workplace injury or filing a workers’ compensation claim. Workers are also protected from reporting workplace safety violations. If you were fired or punished in any way for reporting a workplace accident or injury at AmeriGas, you could be entitled to the full value of your claim, plus job reinstatement, compensation for lost earnings, and possibly much more. Employers must be held accountable for attempts to cover up safety violations or terminate workers for trying to recover benefits for on-the-job injuries.
What are examples of accidents affecting AmeriGas employees & customers?
Thousands of people across the country work for AmeriGas, at storage facilities, warehouses, and distribution sites, driving their trucks, and delivering propane to residential and commercial customers. Because propane is a flammable, liquified gas, it can be dangerous to work with—if proper safety precautions are not taken.
AmeriGas workers and customers may be at risk of suffering harm in such accidents as:
- Fires and explosions
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Transportation accidents
- AmeriGas truck collisions
- Heavy lifting injuries
- Falls
Contact Our AmeriGas Industrial Accident Lawyers Today: (888) 493-1629
Industrial workers have an incredibly dangerous duty to perform every day. Unfortunately, these dangerous work environments are often made more hazardous by negligent and careless actions. If you were injured in an accident involving AmeriGas, an affiliate of AmeriGas or another similar industrial accident, please contact Arnold & Itkin to learn of the possibility of representation and financial compensation for damages.
Call (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation.