Explosions Demanding accountability from those at fault

Mississippi Explosion Lawyer

Helping After Plant, Industrial & Pipeline Explosions in Jackson, Ridgeland & Madison County

An explosion can rip through a jobsite, chemical plant, or neighborhood in a single instant—but the consequences last forever. Flash burns, blast lung, traumatic brain injury, or the sudden loss of a loved one leaves families reeling under medical bills, investigations, and insurance adjusters who are already looking for ways to limit their liability.

At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, former Circuit Court Judge Mark Sledge puts decades of industrial injury experience to work for victims of plant, pipeline, and workplace explosions throughout Ridgeland, Madison County, and the greater Jackson metro area. As a Mississippi personal injury lawyer with more than four decades of legal experience, Mark knows exactly how these cases are won or lost—from both sides of the bench. He uses that experience to secure life-changing results that help clients rebuild after the worst accidents.

If you lost someone you love or were injured, do not wait to involve a local explosion lawyer in Mississippi. Contact T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law.

Injuries Typical of Blast Events

Explosions generate three distinct forces—heat, overpressure, and high-velocity debris. Each causes specific types of physical trauma. Overpressure, for example, is a term used to describe the blast wave, or sudden burst of pressure, after an explosion. The bigger the explosion, the more powerful the pressure wave. Overpressure measured at 8.0 pounds per square inch (psi) can destroy a building. Overpressure measured at 3.5 psi is likely to cause catastrophic injuries.

In an explosion and its aftermath, victims often suffer:

Thermal and chemical burns
Blast lung
Hearing loss
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Orthopedic trauma
Amputation

Why Explosions Happen in the Ridgeland Area

Explosions have varied causes and can affect anyone—from an oilfield worker to a retiree sitting in their living room. In some regions, however, explosions are more likely to be caused by certain sources than others. In the Ridgeland area of Mississippi, explosion sources may include:

Industrial & Manufacturing Sites
Ridgeland’s light-industrial corridors and nearby Jackson refineries handle chemicals, plastics, and fuel—substances that can ignite and cause devastating explosions when valves, sensors, or hot work procedures fail. Workers at these sites and nearby communities may be at risk.

Aging Gas & CO₂ Pipelines
Two natural gas blasts in Jackson claimed one life and destroyed three homes in January 2024, revealing leaking distribution lines and lax inspections by utility providers. A 2020 CO₂ pipeline rupture near Satartia, about an hour from Ridgeland, forced an entire town to evacuate and sent dozens to the hospital, proving how vulnerable central Mississippi is to high-pressure line failures.

Construction & Welding
Fast-growing suburbs mean constant trenching, cutting, and tank work. A single spark inside an unventilated vessel can cause a deadly confined space detonation. Any work with electricity, heat, or volatile substances can put workers and nearby residents at risk if an explosion occurs.

Transportation & Motor Vehicle Accidents
High-traffic corridors like I-55, Highway 51, and County Line Road see a constant flow of fuel tankers, chemical haulers, and delivery trucks. A high-speed rear-end collision, jackknife, or multi-car pile-up can rupture cargo tanks or fuel lines, turning an ordinary crash into an explosion that threatens everyone nearby.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Explosion cases seldom involve just one wrongdoer. Fortunately, a plaintiff in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit involving an explosion may be able to name multiple defendants to hold accountable.

Depending on the root cause, defendants may include:

Plant or pipeline owners
General contractors or subcontractors
Manufacturers of defective products or parts, like valves and sensors
Utility providers
Third-party maintenance companies

Ignoring corrosion surveys, bypassing safety interlocks, failing to enforce hot work or lockout/tagout procedures, and failing to properly maintain equipment are all examples of negligent or wrongful conduct by one of the above parties that could lead to an explosion. Our firm retains metallurgists, fire-origin specialists, and industrial-hygiene experts to trace the ignition sequence back to the first negligent act—and then hold every responsible party accountable.

Building a Successful Explosion Claim

Mark Sledge’s years on the circuit court bench taught him exactly how defense lawyers attack complex technical evidence, and how juries respond to it.

We deploy that insight on your behalf by:

Locking down blast sites before cleanup crews destroy key evidence
Downloading SCADA, black box, and pipeline pressure logs
Interviewing witnesses before memories fade
Calculating lifetime losses with economists and life-care planners
Advancing investigation and litigation costs
Negotiating for a fair settlement when possible
Going to trial when companies and insurers won’t take responsibility

Because we prepare each case for trial from day one, insurers and corporate defendants know settlement offers must reflect the full measure of your losses—or we will ask a jury to do so.

If You Lost a Loved One in an Explosion

Mississippi’s wrongful death statute allows spouses, children, parents, and certain estate representatives to seek damages for funeral expenses, lost lifetime earnings, and the loss of companionship and guidance. The filing window is generally three years, but critical evidence—such as pressure-sensor data or security camera footage—may disappear within days. Early legal intervention by a skilled explosion lawyer in Mississippi can preserve that proof and protect your family’s future.

Talk with an Explosion Attorney in Mississippi

Whether you’re coping with severe burns, traumatic injuries, or the unthinkable loss of a family member, T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law is ready to help. Reach out now for a free consultation with a Mississippi explosion lawyer who understands both the science of blast cases and the human cost they impose.

Contact Mississippi explosion lawyer Mark Sledge today! We charge no fees unless we win.

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From Circuit Court Judge to Personal Injury Advocate Driven to Make a Real Difference for You

For over 15 years, Mark has actively represented plaintiffs in major mass tort cases, including breast implant and phen-phen litigation, leading successful drug litigation such as Parlodel, Duract, and Stadol, securing strong recoveries for his clients. From Circuit Court Judge to Personal Injury Advocate — Driven to Make a Real Difference for You

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