Oxygen tanks are frequently used for medical patients, and can assist individuals who have difficulty breathing. If an oxygen tank malfunctions, or was improperly constructed, an explosion may occur causing serious injury.

When handling oxygen tanks you need to be extremely careful. Oxygen supports combustion and will cause an explosion if not used safely. Oxygen is under high pressure in the tank, and explosion may occur due to faulty construction, maintenance, or handling.

If you suspect that you are a victim of an oxygen tank malfunction, time is of the essence. Consult one of our product liability lawyers immediately to discuss your case and make an important step toward protecting your rights.

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Oxygen Tank Safety

Take care when transporting or changing an oxygen tank. Do not stand oxygen tanks up by themselves. Always put them in a cage, secure them, or lay them on the ground. Always protect the valve. This applies to all oxygen tanks, whether it is a medical oxygen tank or a welding oxygen tank.

Even a small increase in the oxygen level in the air from the typical 21% to 24% can create a dangerous situation. It becomes easier to start a fire, which will then burn hotter and more fiercely than in normal air. It may be almost impossible to put the fire out. A leaking valve or hose in a poorly ventilated room or confined space can quickly increase the oxygen concentration to a dangerous level. The main causes of fires and explosions when using oxygen are:

• Oxygen enrichment from leaking equipment
• Use of materials not compatible with oxygen
• Use of oxygen in equipment not designed for oxygen service
• Incorrect or careless operation of oxygen equipment

Oxygen gas in cylinders is used by many people at work and sometimes at home. It is used:

• For helping people with breathing difficulties
• In welding, flame cutting and other similar processes
• In hyperbaric chambers as a medical treatment
• In decompression chambers for people who work in
  compressed air or in deep-sea diving
• For food preservation and packaging
• In steelworks and chemical plants

Oxygen behaves differently to air, compressed air, nitrogen
and other inert gases. It is very reactive. Pure oxygen, at
high pressure, such as from a cylinder, can react violently
with common materials such as oil and grease. Other
materials may catch fire spontaneously. Nearly all materials
including textiles, rubber and even metals will burn vigorously
in oxygen.

The main danger to people from an oxygen enriched atmosphere is that clothing or hair can easily catch fire, causing serious or even fatal burns. For example, people can easily set their clothing and bedding on fire by smoking while receiving oxygen treatment for breathing difficulties. Oxygen enrichment is often the result of:

• Leaks from damaged or poorly maintained hoses, pipes
  and valves

• Leaks from poor connections
• Opening valves deliberately or accidentally
• Not closing valves properly after use
• Using an excess of oxygen in welding, flame cutting or
  a similar process
• Poor ventilation where oxygen is being used.

Smoking should be forbidden where oxygen is being used.

If you suspect that you are a victim of an oxygen tank malfunction, time is of the essence. Consult one of our product liability lawyers immediately to discuss your case and make an important step toward protecting your rights.

The experienced attorneys of Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your future, so please call Brown & Crouppen at Toll Free: 1-888-891-2022 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

Lawyer's Story...

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My name is Terry Crouppen, I, along with my partner Ron Brown, founded Brown and Crouppen almost 20 years ago. There was never any doubt from the beginning, that medical negligence would be an area of the law we wanted to concentrate in. Many lawyers believe medical negligence cases are the most intellectually challenging in all of tort law. We believe that a great law firm must work on the most difficult cases; medical negligence provides these difficult cases every day.   CONTINUE

A Client's Story...

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Donald and I were never the kind of people to run to lawyers when we had a problem. That’s why I waited before I contacted Brown & Crouppen about a possible medical negligence case. None of the doctors ever came forward and discussed why the tests were misread, as a matter of fact no one would even admit it had happened. I learned that when doctors and hospitals mess up they cover up, at least that’s what happened when I tried to get answers to my questions.   CONTINUE

Things You Should Know...

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Unfortunately, this is true. There are definite time limits in taking care of your case. These time limits are called statutes of limitations and if you wait past this time set out in the statute your case is over, forever, regardless if you have gotten any money or not. Don’t let this happen to you, if you have a medical negligence case don’t wait until it’s too late, call Brown & Crouppen now.   CONTINUE