Immediately after a fire or explosion, a detailed investigation is performed by fire investigators, pipeline specialists or engineers. If there is a natural gas explosion, the public service commission for Missouri or Illinois will also conduct an investigation, as well as the local fire department. Additionally, it is common for parties involved in a lawsuit to conduct an independent investigation to ensure that the most thorough examination has been undertaken. These investigations should occur as early as possible after a fire or explosion to determine what caused the fire, explosion and/or the gas leak, and may take approximately six months to complete.
After the investigative agencies provide reports, they will be reviewed to determine if there is a case. If the law firm determines there is a valid case, a lawsuit is filed and the litigation process begins. Litigation includes written discovery, depositions of witnesses and experts, settlement negotiations, and sometimes mediation. If a fair settlement can’t be reached during this time, then the case will go to trial. The full process can take a few years, depending on the availability of court dockets and the complexity of the litigation. Clients are typically required to attend their deposition, mediation and the trial.