Ruby Bowman v. Collier Oil Company

Settlement of $2,000,000 (Pike County Circuit Court, 2007). Ms. Ruby Bowman suffered severe burns and other injuries after a heater in her home exploded. Defendant Collier Oil Company had delivered propane to her residence and failed to properly test or inspect the gas delivery system prior to introducing gas into the system. As a result, gas vapors were released into Ms. Bowman’s home causing the explosion.

Administratrices of three estates v. Defendant corporations

Settlements of $5,250,000 (Jefferson County Circuit Court, 2006). Along with another law firm represented the estates of three people who died as a result of a fire caused by a leak from a corroded gas service line. The pipe had corroded over the years allowing gas to escape to the point that the pipe was “tin-foil” thin which caused small cracks allowing gas to escape which combined with an ignition source to cause the fire and the death of the individuals.

Macon v. Anonymous

Settlement of $5,000,000 (Macon County, 2005). This case involved a lady who was killed when a fire occurred involving a gas system. Plaintiff’s allegations included negligence and failure to act pursuant to accepted codes and regulations.

Confidential Settlement

Settlement of $1,600,000 (Circuit Court of Etowah County, 2003). Settlement in which the cause of a deadly house fire was partly attributed to faulty equipment selected and installed by one defendant and partly attributed to defective fire safety equipment designed and manufactured by another defendant.

Tim Shankle, et al v. Confidential Defendants

Settlement of $2,750,000 (Lawrence County, 2000). Tim Shankle, his wife Lisa and their son Joshua alleged that a control valve malfunctioned, causing their propane heater to explode - resulting in third-degree burns to Tim and Lisa, and second-degree burns to Joshua. The Shankles were sleeping in their home at the time of the explosion.

Terrill Sanders v. Confidential Defendant

Settlement of $1,500,000 (Jefferson County Circuit Court, Bessemer Division, 1998). This case involved the deaths by a gas fire of four individuals.

Linda Watts v. Alabama Gas Company, et al.

Settlement of $15,300,000 (Macon County, 1996). This case involved the deaths of four young children by a fire caused by a faulty gas heater. The firm obtained evidence that there had been a gas leak in the house which had been reported by Mrs. Watts but was investigated by the gas company.

Areas of Practice