Massive head trauma from an oil tank explosion caused the wrongful death of a New Castle, Pennsylvania man in August of 2013. In Pymatuning Township, Mercer County, a 37 year old welding contractor was hired to do welding work on an oil storage tank that caused the tank to explode. The explosion caused the tragic death of this man and caused the oil tank to be thrown across the Reed Oil facility into a neighboring yard.

Reed Oil, a New Castle, Pennsylvania company, was charged with two criminal counts of unlawful conduct for violating state Department of Environmental Protection laws on above-ground storage tanks and the Pennsylvania state attorney general's office is conducting an investigation into the explosion. Reed Oil has faced over $60,000 worth of fines.

Situations like this, where criminal charges are being pursued due to the negligence of another, it is common for the family of the victim to pursue civil action as well. Because of Reed Oil's negligent hiring of the welding contractor, and their lack of inspection on the oil storage tanks, a personal injury attorney could help the family pursue compensation for the wrongful death of this New Castle man. In addition to lost wages, loss of consortium, and medical expenses, punitive damages could be claimed.

Punitive damage claims arise to reform or deter the defendant and others from similar action to what caused the law suit. They are pursued to punish the defendant. The attorneys at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. have experience and an established successful history in pursuing punitive damage claims. If you or someone you know have been involved in an accident that you think warrant a punitive damage claim, call the personal injury lawyers at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. today at 866-585-1910 for a free consultation.

Source: Sharon Herald. "Criminal charges filed against Reed Oil over fatal explosion". 10 December 2014.