Victims of Austin Gas Explosion Sue Utility Company

On October 27, 2018, a deadly home explosion near South Austin left one victim dead and another severely injured, the second deadly home explosion to occur in six years. Partner Mike Davis represents the survivor in a recent lawsuit that holds Texas Gas Services responsible for failing to maintain a 42-year-old pipe that triggered the explosion.

Texas Gas Services claims that damage was caused by a third-party excavation contractor, not the age or lack of care for the system. However, Davis believes the utility company’s outdated and corroded infrastructure is at fault. In 2012, another gas leak triggered an explosion at a home in Central Austin killing a young father.

“They have not taken adequate steps to identify and replace these problem areas,” commented Davis in an interview with KXAN. “That has created a hidden danger under our existing neighborhoods.”

In a separate interview, Davis told KVUE that the survivor lost everything and is now living at the Salvation Army. The family of the deceased victim is also filing a lawsuit against the utility company who denies all claims and responsibility for the explosion.

“We hope that Texas Gas will step up and accept accountability and will, going forward, spend more time inspecting and replacing old pipes than they are on expanding their business,” Davis noted in his interview with the Austin American-Statesman.

Read the KXAN, KVUE and Austin America-Statesman articles here.