PHILADELPHIA – A plaintiff who says he survived a catastrophic propane tank explosion has sued the dealer from whom he bought the tanks, and whose employees allegedly placed the tanks in his car without properly securing them.
Jean Carlos Aquino-Belen of Philadelphia filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on March 16 versus J.F. Martin, Inc. also of Philadelphia.
According to the lawsuit, on April 20, 2016, at approximately 11:50 A.M., Aquino-Belen visited J.F. Martin, Inc. for the purpose of purchasing propane. After the purchase was completed, an employee of the defendant put one propane tank in the trunk of Aquino-Belen’s vehicle and instructed him to place the second propane tank in the trunk, the suit says
However, the defendant’s employees allegedly
-Failed to secure the tanks so that they would not be disturbed or jostled during the car ride;
-Failed to ensure that the tanks were properly sealed and/or not leaking;
-Failed to advise plaintiff as to how to secure and position the tanks so that the tanks would not be disturbed or jostled during the car ride; and
-Failed to tell plaintiff that it was unsafe to place the tanks in an unventilated area within a car.
As a result, Aquino-Belen then proceeded to drive his vehicle away from the business and approached the 3900 block of Richmond Street, in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. As the plaintiff drove his vehicle, he says he heard a hissing sound and slowed the vehicle down. At that time, the propane tanks exploded, causing the vehicle to catch fire and a violent impact to plaintiff’s body, resulting in serious and permanent full-body injuries, he says.
For negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Peter C. Bowers and Alexander J. Ginsburg, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 180301889
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com