J. Cogburn Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers | November 19, 2024 | Personal Injury
If you live in Las Vegas, Nevada, you know that construction is a constant reality. Old buildings are torn down, new ones are put up, and sometimes developers plan implosions, rather than doing manual demolition.
But are these implosion demolitions dangerous, and what happens if you get hurt as a result of one? Below, we dive into the risks implosions can pose and how you can get compensation for any injuries you suffer as a result.
How Building Implosions Work
Before we dive into the risks building demolition can pose, let’s talk some about how building implosions work.
Building implosions use strategically placed explosives to cause a building to collapse on itself. Engineers remove specific supports inside the building to ensure that the collapse occurs within its own footprint, rather than hitting any of the surrounding buildings.
Demolition engineers also carefully plan the timing of the explosions to ensure the building collapses as planned. Lots of careful planning and preparation go into these demolitions.
In general, building implosions are considered safer for construction workers than traditional demolition. Since it can be done from a distance, workers don’t have to be inside a building while it’s being dismantled.
Air Quality Impact
One of the biggest risks associated with building implosions is the dust they create.
If you’ve seen videos of building implosions, you’ll know that they kick up an enormous cloud of dust. And depending on what was in the building, that dust could include everything from fiberglass and cement dust to asbestos.
As you might imagine, breathing in this dust can cause a variety of respiratory problems, especially if you already suffer from allergies, asthma, or other such conditions.
Most of the time, contractors clear the area for a certain radius around a planned implosion site to reduce this risk. But if you are downwind of the implosion, you could still be exposed to airborne particulates.
The good news is that in most cases, this dust only hangs around for a little while after the implosion. Researchers have found that air quality returns to normal within fifteen to twenty minutes.
Projectile Risk
Although building implosions are carefully planned to keep most of the debris within the structure’s footprint, some debris will still be thrown from the explosion.
These projectiles are another reason it’s so important to clear the area before a planned implosion. Not only could a person be hit by a piece of flying debris, but breaking windows could shower glass down on passerby.
If the implosion is managed properly, no one should be allowed in the range of potential projectiles. In some cases, workers may drape nearby buildings in fabric to help catch the debris and protect windows from breaking.
Shockwave Risk
As you might imagine, an implosion on the scale it takes to collapse a large building causes a significant shockwave. If surrounding structures have damaged foundations, this shockwave could damage them.
In some very rare cases, a planned implosion could cause a nearby building with existing structural problems to collapse. In this case, the “safe zone” around the building may not be big enough, and people in the area may be injured by debris or dust.
Engineers may survey buildings around a planned implosion site to ensure they can withstand the impact. They may also place temporary seismographic monitors on surrounding buildings to measure their vibration.
Can You Get Compensation for Demolition Injuries?
If you’ve been injured due to an implosion demolition, you could be entitled to compensation from the people responsible.
Developers planning a demolition assume liability for any injuries caused by the project. This means that they’re required to do everything they reasonably can to ensure no one gets hurt due to the implosion.
To get compensation, you may need to prove that the demolition caused your injuries and that the developer could reasonably have prevented them. A good personal injury lawyer can help you build a strong case and get the settlement you’re entitled to.
Get the Representation You Need
Although implosion demolitions are usually safe, they aren’t completely risk-free. Dust, flying debris, or even the collapse of nearby buildings may injure people in the area. The best way to stay safe is to avoid areas where implosion demolitions are happening.
If you’ve been injured in a demolition, J. Cogburn Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers want to help. Our top-rated Las Vegas personal injury lawyers have decades of experience fighting for accident victims, and we’re ready to stand up for you, too. Schedule a free consultation today and get the representation you deserve.
Contact the Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers from J. Cogburn Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help Today
For more information, please contact our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at J. Cogburn Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
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