A tire explosion at a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility in Atlanta near the airport led to the death of two workers and seriously injured another early Tuesday morning.
The explosion occurred in the Atlanta Technical Operations (TechOps) maintenance hangar near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport just after 5 am. Several Atlanta fire units and police responded to the incident.
The airport said that flights were not affected and Delta said that its maintenance operation was not impacted.
According to Delta, the explosion occurred while maintenance was disassembling the wheels at a wheel and brake shop. The parts were not attached to a plane at the time of the explosion.
Delta reported they have been working with authorities and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an official investigation. The cause of the explosion has yet to be released.
Legal Options Available to Victims and their Families
In the aftermath of such a catastrophic event, the families of the deceased workers and the injured survivor may have several legal avenues to explore:
- Worker’s Compensation Claims: the injured worker and the families of the deceased may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation provides financial support for medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits for families who have lost a loved one in a workplace accident.
- Wrongful Death Claims: the families of the workers who died in the explosion may want to consider filing wrongful death claims against Delta Air Lines, TechOps, or any other potentially liable parties. These claims can allow the families to seek compensation beyond what workers’ compensation may provide, including for the emotional pain and suffering they endured, the loss of companionship, and future lost income.
- Product Liability Claims: If the tire of any other component involved in causing the explosion was defective, the victims and their families may be able to pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer. The goal of this type of claim is to hole the manufacturers accountable for releasing faulty products that cause injuries or fatalities.
- Third-Party Liability Claims: If another company or contractor was responsible for the maintenance procedures that led to the explosion, a third-party liability claim may be pursued. This claim would target parties other than the employer, seeking additional compensation for negligence that contributed to causing the incident.
“The devastating explosion that occurred Tuesday morning is a stark reminder of the importance of proper safety protocols,” says personal injury attorney Paul Starita of Singleton Schreiber, “In workplace environments, such as the Atlanta maintenance hangar, that deal with heavy machinery and hazardous materials, it is important to ensure that proper safety protocols are taught and enforced in an effort to avoid tragic situations such as this one.”
Many workplace incidents can be prevented with the implementation of proper safety protocols. Some safety tips that may help prevent tragedies include:
- Regular equipment inspections
- Thorough training and education
- Proper use of personal protective equipment
- Strict adherence to safety protocols
- Emergency preparedness
- And more
If you have been injured in a workplace accident or explosion, or have tragically lost a loved one in that situation, contact the personal injury lawyers of Singleton Schreiber at (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule your free consultation.
