Michigan Explosion Property Damage Attorney | Gas & Industrial Blast Claims
When a gas explosion, industrial blast, or other catastrophic incident damages your Michigan property, insurance companies deploy specialized investigators to minimize their payout. Fabian Sklar King & Liss has spent nearly 40 years fighting insurers who undervalue or deny explosion damage claims. Our attorneys work with NFPA 921-certified experts to document structural damage, smoke infiltration, and hidden losses that adjusters overlook. From residential gas explosions to large-scale commercial and industrial incidents, we’ve recovered over $500 million for property owners.
Types of Explosion Property Damage We Handle
At Fabian Sklar King & Liss, we represent property owners in every type of explosion claim across Michigan. Our experience spans residential, commercial, and industrial explosion cases, giving us unique insight into how insurance companies handle these complex claims. Our attorneys are also licensed in Ohio and work with local counsel on select high value cases nationwide.
Residential Gas Explosions
Residential gas explosions devastate business and families, destroying commercial structures and homes in an instant. We handle property damage claims involving natural gas leaks, propane tank explosions, water heater failures, furnace malfunctions, and appliance-related blasts. Whether your property suffered a complete loss or extensive structural damage, we know how to document every element of your claim—from the main structure to contents, landscaping, and additional living expenses while you’re displaced.
Commercial & Industrial Explosions
Commercial and industrial explosions often involve millions of dollars in property damage and extended business interruption. Our attorneys have successfully handled claims involving manufacturing facility explosions, chemical plant incidents, warehouse blasts, restaurant gas explosions, and industrial equipment failures. We understand the complexity of calculating business income loss, extra expenses, and the true cost of rebuilding to code in commercial settings.
Utility & Infrastructure Explosions
When utility companies fail to maintain aging infrastructure, the results can be catastrophic. We represent property owners whose homes or businesses were damaged by pipeline ruptures, gas main explosions, underground utility failures, and meter explosions. These cases often involve third-party liability claims in addition to insurance recovery, and we know how to pursue all available sources of compensation.
Building & Construction Explosions
Construction sites and building projects carry inherent explosion risks. We handle property damage claims arising from demolition accidents, construction site explosions, HVAC system failures, and electrical explosions. These cases frequently involve multiple potentially liable parties, complex causation issues, and insurance disputes over responsibility.
How Insurance Companies Deny Explosion Claims
Insurance companies treat explosion claims differently than standard fire or water damage losses. They know these cases involve significant money and complex causation questions, so they deploy aggressive tactics to minimize payouts.
Common Denial Tactics
Claiming Pre-Existing Damage Insurers often argue that structural issues existed before the explosion, attempting to reduce their obligation to pay for repairs. They’ll scrutinize your property’s history and hire engineers to attribute damage to age, deterioration, or prior events rather than the explosion itself.
Attributing Explosion to Owner Negligence One of the most common defenses is claiming you caused or contributed to the explosion through negligence. Insurance companies will investigate your maintenance records, appliance service history, and property upkeep to argue the explosion resulted from your failure to maintain equipment or detect gas leaks.
Undervaluing Structural Damage Explosions cause both visible destruction and hidden structural compromise. Insurance adjusters frequently focus only on obvious damage while ignoring foundation shifts, compromised framing, weakened load-bearing walls, and concealed damage within wall cavities and building systems.
Ignoring Smoke and Soot Infiltration Even when an explosion doesn’t result in significant fire, smoke and soot infiltrate every surface, cavity, and material in the structure. Insurers routinely underestimate the extent of smoke damage and the cost of proper remediation, offering inadequate cleaning allowances instead of necessary replacement.
Disputing Business Interruption Losses For commercial property owners, insurance companies challenge business interruption claims by questioning your financial records, disputing the period of restoration, and arguing that revenue would have declined regardless of the explosion. They may refuse to pay for extended downtime caused by permitting delays or difficulties finding contractors.
Questioning Origin and Cause Findings Insurance companies hire their own explosion experts to dispute the origin and cause determination, especially when liability might extend to third parties like utility companies or contractors. They use competing expert opinions to create doubt about what happened and who’s responsible.
Why You Need Specialized Representation
General personal injury attorneys may lack the technical expertise required for explosion property damage claims. These cases demand understanding of NFPA 921 investigation methodology, building construction, explosion dynamics, gas distribution systems, and the complex interplay between property insurance coverage and third-party liability.
Fabian Sklar King & Liss exclusively represents property owners—never insurance companies. Our attorneys include NFPA 921 Technical Committee members and Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators (CFEIs) who understand explosion science and can effectively challenge insurer experts. We’ve spent 40 years building relationships with the nation’s leading origin and cause investigators, structural engineers, and forensic accountants who can prove the full extent of your damages.
The Explosion Property Damage Claim Process
Understanding what to expect helps you navigate the complex aftermath of an explosion. Here’s how we handle these claims from emergency response through final recovery.
Step 1: Emergency Response & Documentation
Immediate Actions After the Explosion Your safety and that of your family or employees comes first. Once emergency responders clear the scene, time-sensitive documentation begins. We advise clients to photograph and video damage from every angle before any cleanup or temporary repairs. Document the explosion scene, structural damage, contents loss, and surrounding property impact.
Preserving Critical Evidence Explosion investigations require preserving physical evidence. Don’t allow anyone to remove debris, damaged appliances, or building materials without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies and their experts will want to examine everything, and destroyed evidence can’t be recreated. We coordinate evidence preservation while ensuring your property is secured against further damage.
Notification Requirements Your insurance policy requires prompt notification of losses. We help you provide timely notice while being strategic about what information you share at this early stage. Initial reports should document that an explosion occurred and property was damaged without speculating about causes or making detailed damage estimates you might need to revise later.
Step 2: Investigation & Expert Analysis
Origin and Cause Investigation Determining how and why the explosion occurred is critical to your claim. We retain independent explosion experts who follow NFPA 921 methodology—the national standard for fire and explosion investigation. These experts examine the scene, interview witnesses, review utility records, and analyze physical evidence to determine the explosion’s origin (where it started) and cause (what made it happen).
NFPA 921 Methodology NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations provides the scientific framework for determining what happened. Our attorneys understand this methodology and can identify when insurance company experts deviate from accepted practices. This expertise is invaluable when challenging insurer findings that conveniently minimize their exposure.
Working with Fire Investigators We coordinate with fire department investigators, state fire marshals, and private origin and cause experts to build a complete picture of the incident. Public investigator findings carry significant weight with insurance companies, and we ensure these reports accurately reflect the evidence and support your claim.
Engineering Assessments Structural engineers evaluate the explosion’s impact on your building’s integrity. They identify compromised structural elements, determine which components require replacement versus repair, and calculate code upgrade requirements. Their reports counter insurance company engineers who typically minimize damage to reduce claim payouts.
Step 3: Claim Preparation & Presentation
Proof of Loss Documentation Michigan insurance policies require detailed proof of loss documentation. We prepare comprehensive submissions that include professional damage assessments, contractor estimates, contents inventories, and supporting evidence. Thorough initial documentation prevents insurance companies from later claiming inadequate proof and positions your claim for maximum recovery.
Valuation of Property Damage Proper valuation requires understanding replacement cost versus actual cash value coverage, building code upgrade requirements, and the difference between repairing versus rebuilding. We work with general contractors, specialized trades, and cost estimators to develop accurate reconstruction estimates that account for current labor and material costs.
Business Interruption Calculations For commercial properties, business interruption claims require proving lost income, continuing expenses, and extra costs incurred due to the explosion. We work with forensic accountants to document pre-loss earnings, project lost revenue during the restoration period, and identify all covered extra expenses from temporary locations to expediting costs.
Additional Living Expenses When explosions render homes uninhabitable, additional living expense (ALE) coverage pays for temporary housing, meals, storage, and other increased costs. Insurance companies often dispute ALE duration and necessity. We document all displacement-related expenses and fight for full reimbursement throughout your reconstruction period.
Step 4: Negotiation or Litigation
Settlement Negotiations Most explosion claims resolve through negotiation, but only when the insurance company faces credible pressure. We leverage our trial reputation and case preparation to negotiate from strength. Our attorneys won’t recommend settling unless the offer fairly compensates you for all covered damages.
Examination Under Oath (EUO) Insurance policies allow companies to require policyholders to submit to examination under oath—essentially a recorded deposition about the loss. These examinations are adversarial, and unprepared answers can damage your claim. We thoroughly prepare clients for EUOs and attend to protect your interests. Learn more about Examinations Under Oath.
When Litigation Becomes Necessary Some claims require filing suit to force fair resolution. When insurance companies deny claims, offer unconscionably low settlements, or engage in bad faith tactics, we file lawsuits in Michigan courts. Our trial experience and track record of significant verdicts motivate insurers to make reasonable offers even after litigation begins. When we do not have a satisfactory result at the trial level, we file an appeal. Our appeals have changed the law in the State of Michigan in favor of policyholders.
Trial Preparation While most cases settle, preparing every case for trial is essential to achieving good results. We retain expert witnesses, develop demonstrative evidence, prepare exhibits, and build trial strategies that present your case persuasively to juries. Insurance companies settle more cases—and for better amounts—when they know we’re ready to try the case.
Timeline Expectations: Most explosion property damage claims resolve within 12-18 months, though complex cases involving significant damage, coverage disputes, or third-party liability may take longer.
What Your Explosion Property Claim May Include
Explosion damage extends far beyond obvious destruction. Your insurance claim should account for every element of property damage and financial loss caused by the incident.
Structural Repairs and Rebuilding
Explosions compromise building integrity in ways that aren’t immediately visible. Your claim should cover foundation repairs, structural framing replacement, load-bearing wall reconstruction, roof system repair or replacement, and remediation of damaged building systems. Insurance companies often try to patch visible damage while ignoring structural issues that threaten long-term safety and value.
Smoke and Soot Damage Remediation
Even explosions without significant fire generate smoke and soot that permeate every surface and cavity. Proper remediation requires removing contaminated materials, not just cleaning surfaces. Your claim should include drywall replacement, insulation removal, HVAC system cleaning or replacement, and content restoration or replacement for items that can’t be adequately cleaned.
Contents Replacement
Explosions destroy or damage personal property and business contents. Your insurance claim should include furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, inventory, equipment, and irreplaceable items. Insurance companies routinely undervalue contents by applying excessive depreciation or claiming items can be cleaned when replacement is necessary.
Business Interruption and Lost Income
Commercial property owners lose income when explosions force business closure. Business interruption coverage should compensate for lost net profit, continuing expenses during closure, and the time required to restore operations. We fight insurers who try to shorten the recovery period or dispute projected earnings.
Additional Living Expenses
When explosions make homes uninhabitable, ALE coverage pays increased living costs during repairs. This includes temporary housing, meals, storage, pet boarding, increased commuting costs, and other expenses exceeding your normal living costs. Insurance companies often dispute the necessity of expenses or duration of displacement—we ensure you’re fully compensated.
Code Upgrade Costs
Building codes evolve, and insurance policies should cover the cost difference between rebuilding to current standards versus the pre-loss structure. Code upgrade coverage pays for necessary improvements like electrical system upgrades, seismic retrofitting, energy efficiency requirements, and accessibility modifications required by current building codes.
Debris Removal
Explosion debris removal often costs tens of thousands of dollars before reconstruction can begin. Your claim should include demolition costs, hauling and disposal fees, environmental remediation if hazardous materials are present, and clearing adjacent property affected by blast debris.
Professional Fees
Insurance policies typically cover reasonable professional fees necessary to prepare your claim. This includes engineers, forensic accountants, origin and cause investigators, building code consultants, contents specialists, and public adjusters if you hired one before retaining legal counsel.
Temporary Repairs and Emergency Services
Immediate post-explosion expenses like emergency board-up, temporary power, temporary weather protection, and security services prevent further damage and are reimbursable under most policies. Document these expenses carefully as insurance companies may dispute necessity or costs.
Common Causes of Property Explosions in Michigan
Understanding explosion causes helps identify all potentially responsible parties and insurance coverage sources. Here are the most common scenarios we handle.
Utility Negligence
Michigan’s aging natural gas infrastructure contributes to numerous explosions. Utility companies may be liable when explosions result from failing to maintain pipelines, ignoring leak reports, defective meter installation, inadequate pressure regulation, or failed pipeline replacement programs. These cases often involve claims against both your property insurer and the utility company.
Appliance Defects
Water heaters, furnaces, stoves, dryers, and other appliances cause explosions when they malfunction. Product liability claims may exist against manufacturers for design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn about explosion risks. We coordinate property insurance claims with potential product liability recovery.
Construction Errors
Improper gas line installation, faulty electrical work, code violations, and incorrect appliance installation by contractors can cause explosions months or years later. When construction negligence causes explosions, both your property insurance and the contractor’s liability insurance may provide recovery.
Industrial Accidents
Manufacturing facilities face explosion risks from equipment failure, improper chemical handling, inadequate ventilation, pressure vessel ruptures, and combustible dust accumulation. Industrial explosion claims often involve complex insurance coverage issues, multiple potentially responsible parties, and OSHA investigations.
Third-Party Negligence
Explosions sometimes result from third-party actions like contractor damage to gas lines during excavation, neighboring property maintenance creating hazards, or vandalism and arson. We pursue all available insurance coverage and third-party liability to maximize your total recovery.
Why Choose Fabian Sklar King & Liss for Explosion Claims?
Not all property damage attorneys have the specialized expertise required for explosion claims. Here’s what sets our firm apart.
Unmatched Expertise
Fabian Sklar King & Liss has spent nearly 40 years exclusively representing property owners in insurance disputes. Unlike personal injury firms that occasionally handle property damage, we focus entirely on this practice area. Our attorneys include NFPA 921 Technical Committee members who help develop the national standards for fire and explosion investigation. Stuart Sklar holds the prestigious Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) designation, giving us technical expertise that general practice attorneys can’t match.
This deep specialization means we understand explosion dynamics, origin and cause methodology, building construction, and the insurance policy provisions that govern coverage. We speak the same technical language as experts and can effectively cross-examine insurance company investigators who try to minimize damage or shift blame.
Proven Results in explosion cases
Fabian Sklar King & Liss has recovered millions for Michigan property owners in explosion cases, including a $4.8M commercial gas explosion settlement and multiple seven-figure residential explosion recoveries. [View our complete case results →]
We Only Represent Policyholders—Never Insurance Companies
Fabian Sklar King & Liss has never represented an insurance company. We exclusively advocate for property owners fighting insurers over claims. This singular focus means zero conflicts of interest and complete dedication to maximizing your recovery. When you hire us, you’re working with attorneys whose only goal is getting you every dollar your policy provides.
Comprehensive Expert Resources
Explosion claims require the nation’s best experts. Over 40 years, we’ve built relationships with leading origin and cause investigators, structural engineers, forensic accountants, environmental consultants, and construction cost estimators. These experts provide the evidence necessary to prove causation, demonstrate full damage extent, and counter insurance company opinions designed to minimize payouts.
Our expert network is a competitive advantage—we can quickly assemble the right team for your specific explosion scenario, whether it involves residential gas, industrial chemicals, or utility infrastructure failure.
Trial Experience and appellate advocacy
Insurance companies know Fabian Sklar King & Liss has the trial experience to take cases to verdict. Our attorneys have successfully tried explosion claims in Michigan courts, recovering significant verdicts for clients when insurers refused reasonable settlements. This reputation gives us negotiating leverage—insurance companies would rather settle fairly than face us at trial.
FAQ
property explosion questions
What should I do immediately after an explosion damages my property?
First, ensure everyone’s safety and follow emergency responder instructions. Once authorities clear the scene, document everything with photos and videos from multiple angles. Don’t allow debris removal or cleanup until you’ve thoroughly documented damage—destroyed evidence can’t be recreated.
Notify your insurance company of the loss promptly, but keep initial reports factual and avoid speculating about causes or damage extent. Secure the property against further damage with temporary repairs, but keep all receipts. Contact Fabian Sklar King & Liss before providing detailed statements or submitting to examination under oath—we’ll protect your interests while ensuring policy compliance.
Will my insurance company investigate the explosion?
Yes. Insurance companies hire their own origin and cause investigators to examine explosion scenes. These experts work for the insurer and their findings often minimize insurance company liability. They may attribute the explosion to your negligence, pre-existing conditions, or third-party causes to reduce the insurer’s obligation.
This is why you need your own independent explosion expert. We retain NFPA 921-certified investigators who protect your interests and provide objective findings about what caused the explosion and the full extent of resulting damage. Having competing expert opinions is normal in explosion claims—ours are credible and defensible in litigation.
What if the insurance company says the explosion was my fault?
Insurance companies frequently blame policyholders to deny or reduce claims. They’ll argue you failed to maintain equipment, ignored warning signs of gas leaks, or violated policy conditions. These allegations require careful response because admitting negligence can jeopardize coverage.
Michigan insurance policies typically cover explosion damage even when policyholders contributed to the loss through ordinary negligence, though intentional acts aren’t covered. We work with experts to establish the true cause and demonstrate the explosion resulted from covered perils, not policy exclusions. Even when some negligence exists, we fight to recover maximum available benefits.
For more answers about property insurance claims, visit our complete FAQ page →
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