Its a Gassy Day -- Exploding Porta-John

[sandgk]

There's something about the image of an exploding Porta-John that is too much like a Road Runner cartoon to resist. (Though the victim here ended up with burns -- which isn't funny, its where this happened that adds irony). Perhaps this fells should team up with the gas thief -- they both seem to like playing with fire.

BTW, gas pockets are a pretty common occurence around mines - and smoking is often not allowed on the premises of fuel operators. (Though there was no sign on the toilet, there were probably tons of warning signs for the property in general). I'm betting that will be the company's line if it ever goes to trial.

Man Injured in Toilet Blast Files Suit Thu Jun 2, 4:08 PM ET

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - A Pennsylvania man injured when a portable toilet exploded is suing a general contractor and a coal company for negligence.

John Jenkins, 53, and his wife Ramona Jenkins, 35, of Brave, Pa., filed the lawsuit in Monongalia County Circuit Court on Tuesday. They are suing Chisler Inc., a general contractor from Fairview, and Eastern Associated Coal Corp. for $10 million in damages.

The explosion occurred July 13, 2004, at Parrish Shaft in Blacksville. Jenkins, a North West Fuels Development Inc. methane power plant operator, entered a portable toilet, sat down and tried to light a cigarette.

"When I struck the lighter, the whole thing just detonated — the whole top blew off," John Jenkins said. "I can't tell you if it blew me out the door or if I jumped out."<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
The lawsuit says the cigarette ignited methane gas leaking from a pipe underneath the unit.

Eastern Associated Coal Corp. owns the property where the explosion occurred. Chisler Inc. ran over the pipelines with heavy equipment before the incident, causing the methane gas leak, Jenkins alleges.

The lawsuit also says there was no sign on the portable toilet warning that smoking, matches and open flames were forbidden.<o:p></o:p>
Jenkins had severe burns on his face, neck, arms, torso and legs. He is permanently disfigured, the lawsuit says.

Eastern Associated Coal is a subsidiary of Peabody Energy. A call to that company's Charleston office was not immediately returned Thursday. A man who answered the phone at Chisler's office in Fairview said he was familiar with the lawsuit and the company would have no comment. He would not give his name.<o:p></o:p>
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[FKAGobucks877]

Trust me, in Pennsylvania, this guy will get his ten million. That state is so ridiculously plaintiff-happy that insurance companies are starting to pull out. Depending on what county this is, he could get even more.

 

[sandgk]

Trust me, in Pennsylvania, this guy will get his ten million. That state is so ridiculously plaintiff-happy that insurance companies are starting to pull out. Depending on what county this is, he could get even more.

Its Monongalia County West Virginia. Does that reduce the plaintiff's chances of taking on the well heeled Peabody Coal?