Shalonda Bailey Killed In Newman Home Explosion Accident
Wrongful Death - October 12, 2022
Shalonda Bailey Died In Springfield Natural Gas Explosion Accident At Home On Broadway Street
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (October 12, 20222) – A 51-year-old woman identified as Shalonda Bailey has tragically died after being injured in a Newman natural gas explosion accident at her house.
Douglas County officials are saying that the explosion took place on Sunday. Shalonda Bailey was inside of her home when there was a sudden explosion that caused the house to partially collapse.
Neighbors rushed to the scene of the accident and found the victim buried under wreckage. Firefighters were able to extricate her from the wreckage and she was airlifted to the Springfield Memorial Hospital with third-degree burns.
An official at the Newman Fire Department said that natural gas appeared to be a likely cause of the explosion. Despite the best efforts of doctors and medical staff at Springfield Memorial Hospital, Shalonda Bailey died as a result of her injuries.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Newman Home Explosion Accidents
Home explosion accidents may seem like freak occurrences, but they are far more common than many people realize. According to Gizmodo, a serious gas leak occurs every 40 minutes in the United States. These leaks have left more than 120 dead in the past several years. In the past two months in Illinois alone, Kevin Murphy, Robert Waters, Shabron Robinson, Alan Bawinkel and Bonnie Bawinkel were killed in gas explosion accidents. There are a number of known ways to prevent natural gas explosions.
- Natural gas pipelines should be properly maintained.
- Natural gas pipelines should be periodically inspected.
- Natural gas appliances should be hooked up correctly.
- Electrical fixtures should be properly maintained.
Depending on the facts of any case, a utility provider could be liable for a natural gas explosion. Far from being freak occurrences, natural gas explosions are often due to utility companies that fail to properly maintain their gas lines. These lines are under an enormous amount of pressure and even a small fracture or over-pressurization could cause a catastrophic leak. If a gas company failed to properly maintain their lines and this caused a leak, that could form the basis of a negligence claim. Victims of gas explosion accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Death
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any natural gas explosion. But it is important to remember that accident victims and their families do have rights. They have the right to know what happened and why their loved one died. They also have the right to pursue a civil claim if that is what they choose. Sadly, gas companies will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any explosion. This is why it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after any accident.
Investigating A Newman Home Explosion Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Shalonda Bailey. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There have been so many natural gas explosions in recent months. State legislatures should consider measures to help protect the public from these deadly events.
Do you need more information about a Newman home explosion accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
