Atmos Energy is facing multiple lawsuits after a natural gas explosion at an Oak Cliff apartment complex in Dallas killed three people and injured several others.
The lawsuits accuse Atmos, a natural gas utility that serves parts of Texas, along with a construction company and the apartment property’s management, of negligence and gross negligence in connection with the blast. The explosion happened as Dallas Fire-Rescue crews were responding to a reported gas leak at the complex.
One wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of 81-year-old Sylvia Collins, who was among the three people killed in the explosion. A separate personal injury lawsuit was filed by 73-year-old Jose Lopez, who was injured in the blast. At least five people were hospitalized or sought medical care after the explosion.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Preliminary findings have pointed to a gas leak before the blast, while Atmos has said it was told that a construction crew unrelated to the company damaged piping near the apartment complex. Some neighbors have also reported smelling gas before the explosion.
The complaints center on Atmos’s alleged role before the blast, including claims that the utility failed to properly monitor conditions at the complex and failed to notify residents about a potential gas leak.
Under Texas law, negligence generally requires proof that a person or company failed to use reasonable care and that the failure caused harm. The filings cite the reported gas leak, the condition of the gas lines, work being done near the property, and warnings residents allegedly did not receive before the blast.
Texas wrongful death law allows certain surviving family members to seek damages when a death is allegedly caused by another person’s or company’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.
Gross negligence is also alleged. Texas law defines gross negligence as conduct involving an extreme degree of risk when a person or company has actual awareness of the risk but proceeds with conscious indifference to the safety or welfare of others. If proven, gross negligence can support exemplary damages, which are meant to punish the conduct rather than only compensate for losses.
Lopez said he heard a loud bang before being thrown to the ground. He said he survived because he was standing outside near the front of the building when the explosion occurred.
Atmos issued a public statement after the explosion expressing sadness over the deaths and injuries. The company said its technicians remained on site to support first responders and emergency management personnel, natural gas service in the area remained shut off, and it would continue working with authorities during the investigation.
Federal and local investigators continue to examine what caused the explosion.
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