Fire and Electrical Liability

Knowledge of an industry’s unique environment is essential for success, plain and simple. At Armstrong Teasdale LLP, our team of dedicated fire and electrical liability attorneys are fully immersed in fire and explosion issues. Our attorneys have specialized fire and explosion training, are active members of professional and legal organizations devoted to these areas and are respected leaders in the industry. In fact, our attorneys are so well-versed in the industries they serve, they are often called upon to share knowledge and experience as instructors, authors and advisors.

The attorneys within the Fire and Electrical Liability practice group have substantial and recent experience in all aspects of explosion, fire and electrical liability litigation, from managing fire scene investigations through litigation, trial and appeal. Our attorneys have tried numerous cases over the past thirty years and handled countless more that were resolved successfully prior to trial. Our breadth of experience allows us to provide effective and efficient solutions to resolve the most complex explosion, fire and electrical liability cases arising out of the gas, petroleum, chemical and electrical power industries and the appliance manufacturers and service providers within these industries.

• Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators (CFEI)
• Graduates of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Fire Academy training course, Interviewing-Interrogation Techniques and Courtroom Testimony
• Certified National Fire Academy Instructors (Courtroom Testimony course)
• Members of the NFPA 921 Major Investigation Task Group, Explosion Task Group, Cause Task Group and Marine Task Group
• Fire Analysis Litigation instructors at the National Association of Fire Investigators’ National Seminar
• Presenters at the International Symposium on Fire Investigation, Science and Technology
• Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers
• Members of the American Pyrotechnic Association
• Members of the Natural Gas Claims and Litigation Association
• Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• The Best Lawyers in America®

Trials
Nothing substitutes for trying a fire, explosion, or electrical liability case before a jury. Our attorneys have tried numerous cases and have handled countless more cases that were resolved prior to trial. Our attorneys have actual experience and an ability to manage and litigate catastrophic occurrences.

• Defense of a petroleum valve manufacturer in a wrongful death trial arising out of a gasoline tanker and bulk storage facility fire in Jackson County, Missouri. (No. 2 verdict in Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s List of Top 10 Defense Verdicts)
• Defense of a HAZMAT transporter in a two-week personal injury trial (No. 5 verdict in Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s List of Top 10 Defense Verdicts)
• Defense of a natural gas storage facility in Wichita, Kansas in a five-week fire and explosion trial (incident featured in television episode of Modern Marvels: Engineering Disasters
• Defense of two consolidated class action cases during a four-week trial in Kansas City, Kansas (incident featured in television episode of Modern Marvels: Engineering Disasters)
• Multi-million dollar recovery against the employer of an injured worker in St. Louis, Missouri
• Defense of a pediatric burn, wrongful death and personal injury case in Leavenworth, Kansas
• Property damage recovery in a one-week trial in Kansas City, Missouri
• Defense of a personal injury, carbon monoxide case in Olathe, Kansas (incident featured in television episode of Rescue 911)
• Defense of a chemical burn, blinding accident in a trial in Springfield, Missouri
  

Resolutions
Through the use of demonstrated experience and creativity, our attorneys have successfully concluded many matters prior to trial and often prior to the commencement of litigation.

• Assumption of full indemnity and defense costs by a client’s subcontractor in an Austin, Texas, pediatric burn wrongful death case
• Recovery of $3.2 Million for property damage in a Wichita, Kansas church fire
• Settlement of a six person wrongful death case in an El Paso, Texas fire
• Pre-suit abandonment of a wrongful death and personal injury claim for an appliance manufacturing client arising out of a propane fire in New London, Missouri
• Recovery of $900,000 for property damage in a Kansas City, Missouri theater renovation fire
• Pre-suit abandonment of a multi-million dollar property damage claim for an electrical product manufacturing client in a Leawood, Kansas fire
• Summary judgment for a public utility client in a Shawnee, Kansas gas migration fire
• Pre-suit abandonment of a wrongful death claim for an appliance manufacturing client arising out of a flammable vapor fire in St. Charles, Missouri

The attorneys within the practice group are actively involved in the day-to-day management and trial of explosion, fire and electrical cases. Our team is committed to the continued advancement of the practice and to the legal and professional organizations that influence these areas of science and law.

Kansas City
Karrie Clinkinbeard CFEI	Casey Housley CFEI	Lynn Hursh	Corbyn Jones
Jerry King CFEI	Jo Leigh W. Fischer	Megan Ochs
St. Louis
Karen Baudendistal	Jim Virtel
Jefferson City
Kent Lowry
Las Vegas
Doug Kurdziel

The services provided by the Fire and Electrical Liability practice group are utilized throughout the Midwest and Southwest by our clients in the energy, chemical, gas and petroleum industries; product manufacturers and insurers; and individuals and businesses that are impacted by these industries. Our attorneys have substantial experience with various types of explosions, fire and electrical injuries involving a wide variety of commercial and residential structures.