Woman Suffers Critical Burn Injuries in House Explosion in Cleveland, Ohio

A 45-year-old woman, Latoya Gates, is in critical condition and suffering from burn injuries after a house explosion on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio around 2:00 in the afternoon on May 14, 2018. The house was in the 11000 block of Primrose Avenue near Linn Drive. She was taken to Metro General hospital. Her mother told Fox 8 News that she is out of surgery and recovering.

The fire chief told ABC News that she was in the street in front of the house when emergency crews arrived. The two-story house was leveled by the force of the explosion. A Cleveland police officer told Cleveland.com that the patient suffered second-degree burns over 80% of her body.

A woman who lives a block away from the explosion site told news reporters that the explosion was very loud and it rattled her house. That woman thought a gas line exploded under her house.

Crews from Dominion Energy have cut off gas to the house. Investigators are looking at the scene, trying to figure out how and why the explosion occurred.

Injuries from Explosions Can Range From Crush Injuries to Serious and Painful Burn Injuries

Injuries from house explosions can range from serious crush injuries to critical burns, brain damage, smoke inhalation, and damage to the eyes, lungs, and heart. If a person is thrown to the ground or against a wall or another object by the force of the blast, crush injuries may also occur.

Burn injuries are among the most devastating of all injuries caused by this type of accident. If the burns are third or fourth degree, the skin will be destroyed and the injury can even affect muscle and bone. If more than 20% of the skin surface is burned, a person may go into “burn shock,” that can cause death.

And burn treatment is painful and can be very lengthy. Pain medication will not always relieve the intense agony of the medical procedures needed for burn patients. The burned skin must be cleaned and scrubbed, and sometimes the burned area must be cut away and skin grafted. These procedures may be repeated for days or weeks. Physical therapy may be needed. And chronic depression, anxiety, nightmares, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may follow.

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman have represented many clients who have suffered serious burn injuries from explosions and fires. They recently won a multimillion dollar lawsuit on behalf of a man who was seriously burned and thankfully survived.  Call them at 1-888-377-8900 to discuss your case. The call is free and confidential, and there is no obligation. Protect your legal rights with experienced attorneys who will be on your side.

Sources

Bates, Josiah and Katz, Rachel. “Victim hospitalized after explosion flattens home in Cleveland.” ABC News, May 14, 2018

Madden, Justin. “One person hospitalized in explosion that levels home, garage in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood.” Cleveland.com, May 14, 2018.

Belay, Maia. “Witnesses talk about Cleveland house explosion that injured woman.” Fox8.com, May 15, 2018.