A gas explosion that destroys multiple homes usually leads to a large class settlement, smaller bellwether trials, and appeals over fault and settlement rules. A class action lets a few victims seek payment for a larger group with similar blast harm. The Merrimack Valley disaster shows the scale.
According to the NTSB, management and oversight failures sent high-pressure gas into a low-pressure system on Sept. 13, 2018, causing fires and explosions that damaged 131 structures including at least five destroyed homes, as reported in the NTSB press release. That one failure created wrongful-death, injury, and property claims across three towns.
Official resources:
- Read the official guidance from Ntsb — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
- Read the official guidance from Justice — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
Table of Contents
- Who counts as a victim with a claim?
- How does a neighborhood-wide settlement pay people?
- What happens if your case goes to trial?
- What do appeals fight about?
- Why can payment take years?
Who counts as a victim with a claim?
Death, physical injury, and property loss each support a different type of claim. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Lawrence, Andover and North Andover explosions killed one person, injured 22, and damaged homes and businesses.
Renters can claim for injury, displacement, and damaged belongings. Owners can also claim for repair cost, lost value, and loss of use. Businesses can claim for building damage, inventory loss, and interruption.
How does a neighborhood-wide settlement pay people?
A class-action settlement pays many victims under one court-approved plan. According to Berman Tabacco, Essex County Superior Court Judge Lang granted final approval on Feb. 12, 2020 to a $143 million settlement for individuals and businesses harmed by the Sept.
13, 2018 explosions, as reported in the settlement approval notice. The judge decides whether the amount and allocation are fair. Victims then file claim forms, document losses, and receive shares based on injury, property damage, and business loss. Accepting payment usually means giving up the right to sue separately over the same blast.
What happens if your case goes to trial?
Cases that do not settle often go forward in small bellwether groups. A bellwether trial means the court tries a few representative cases to test evidence, value damages, and guide later settlements. Comparative fault then divides responsibility among defendants.
According to the trial report, an Aug. 10, 2026 Harris County jury awarded $61,578,273.19 to 24 residents harmed by the Jan. 24, 2020 Watson Grinding explosion, finding 3M 30% responsible and Watson Grinding 70% responsible, as reported in the jury verdict report. Each defendant pays its assigned share.
What do appeals fight about?
Appeals often challenge how the trial handled settlements and fault. The question is whether the jury heard improper information about who settled and whether it received correct instructions about absent parties. A New Mexico gas-explosion case shows the pattern.
According to the New Mexico Supreme Court opinion, plaintiffs in Fahrbach v. Diamond Shamrock settled with three defendants before trial, then appealed over telling the jury about settlement and instructing it on nonparty fault, as reported in the court opinion. Those rulings can change who pays and whether a verdict stands.
Why can payment take years?
An early verdict does not pay everyone. According to the same trial report, nearly 2,000 Watson claimants remained awaiting trial after the $61.5 million verdict, with the next group set for October 2026.
Appeals can further delay checks while higher courts review fault shares and trial rulings. Victims protect their position by acting early and keeping proof:.
- save repair bills, photos, medical records, and displacement receipts
- track class-action and MDL deadlines for claim forms and opt-outs
- keep a dated list of damaged rooms, items, and business closures