Parker Waichman LLP

Utility to pay $8 million for natural gas explosion in Bellevue

  Lawsuit Over The Death Of A Woman After A Natural Gas Explosion. The state’s largest investor-owned utility has agreed to pay $8 million to settle a lawsuit over the death of a woman after a natural gas explosion destroyed her home in Bellevue. The daughter and two sons of the late Frances Schmitz, 68, accepted […]

Natural Gas Explosion

 

Lawsuit Over The Death Of A Woman After A Natural Gas Explosion. The state’s largest investor-owned utility has agreed to pay $8 million to settle a lawsuit over the death of a woman after a natural gas explosion destroyed her home in Bellevue.

The daughter and two sons of the late Frances Schmitz, 68, accepted the settlement about two months ago after Puget Sound Energy promised to make changes designed to prevent similar accidents, said the family’s lawyer.

“They are relieved that they were able to get this resolution, to make this area safer so others don’t have to walk in their shoes,” Beninger said.

Puget Sound Energy did not admit fault as part of the settlement, he added.

Grant Ringel, a spokesman for the utility, would not discuss the details of the settlement but said Wednesday, “We are very happy to have this issue resolved and again express our sympathy to the family.”

Schmitz was severely burned by the blast and fire on Sept. 2, 2004, and died three weeks later. The explosion was blamed on a leaky pipe.

Lawsuit Accused The Utility Of Negligence

In their lawsuit, Schmitz’s children accused the utility of negligence.
State regulators found that long-term corrosion caused the leak in a steel pipe leading to the house. The pipe was installed in 1963 and was essentially unprotected from rust for two decades before an electrical corrosion protection system was added, according to expert testimony cited by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission.

As part of a settlement with the state panel last fall, Puget Sound Energy agreed to check for corrosion in tens of thousands of steel gas pipes across Western Washington and to review all coated steel gas lines that lacked corrosion protection for at least five years.

Soon after the explosion, regulators found that a miswired electrical device, a rectifier, could have contributed to the pipe corrosion, and as part of its settlement with the state the utility paid a $90,000 penalty for the miswiring.

In a final report by the commission’s Pipeline Safety Program last fall, however, investigators wrote that the rectifier had “little or no bearing” on the leak or explosion.

Need Legal Help Regarding Natural Gas Explosion?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
The Office staff at Parker Waichman has been extremely responsive to all of my questions and concerns, someone is always checking in with me to see how we are feeling, how treatments are going, it puts your mind at rest and they don't allow you to stress out about the small details because they take care of all of them. I am very grateful to have Joanne, Jillian and Cristen helping my family through this. Even the reception staff are always cheerful and pleasant, it is such a pleasure speaking with them.
Kathy Oliva
8 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Thank you to the lawyers Parke Waichman for their professionalism, especially to Jorge Peniche, a person who was of great help to me in several aspects, very grateful, thank you again.....
Josue Portillo
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Best support. Best answer. Believe me i am a physical therapist who can meet a lot of lawyers. But, this team especially Jessie, she handles matter with responsibilities for what we are looking for. This is one we are looking for. I deeply touched. Best ever!!
Jiae Kim
4 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038