Bristol Health explosion survivors sue over alleged negligence and unsafe conditions
Four survivors of a deadly gas explosion at Bristol Health and Rehab Center have filed a lawsuit against the facility’s operators and PECO, the natural-gas supplier. The blast on 23 December killed two people and left many with severe injuries. The plaintiffs allege negligence led to the disaster.
The lawsuit names Barbara Sall, a paraplegic resident, healthcare aides Stacy Ballard and Davidetta Blay, and IT contractor James Broderick as the plaintiffs. They claim the nursing home lacked proper safety devices for evacuation and ignored reports of a gas-leak smell before the explosion.
PECO is accused of failing to detect, repair, or respond to the leak by initiating an evacuation. The plaintiffs also argue that staff were exposed to unreasonable risks due to inadequate safety measures.
Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, the law firm representing the survivors, has brought in experts on gas explosion causes and pipeline safety. They have requested that all media questions be directed to their legal team. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, with the final amount to be decided by a jury at trial.
The case centres on allegations of severe negligence by both the facility’s operators and the gas supplier. If successful, the lawsuit could result in compensation for the survivors and families affected by the explosion. The trial will determine liability and any financial awards.
