If you have been injured in a gas explosion or by a gas leak in the UK, you can claim compensation against the party responsible — whether that is a landlord who failed to maintain appliances, a gas engineer who carried out faulty work, a gas network operator, an employer or an appliance manufacturer. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 impose strict duties on landlords and installers. You normally have three years to claim.
Gas explosions can destroy homes and cause devastating injuries — severe burns, blast-force trauma, fractures, hearing damage and profound psychological harm. They can also kill. While relatively rare, gas explosions almost always result from someone’s failure: a landlord who skipped the annual gas safety check, an unregistered or incompetent engineer, a gas main damaged during construction work, or a faulty appliance. This guide explains how gas explosion claims work and who is responsible. We are an independent information resource, not a law firm.
Common causes of gas explosions
- Poorly maintained boilers and appliances — gas leaks from corroded or faulty components.
- Defective installation — work by unqualified or incompetent engineers.
- Gas main damage — construction or roadworks damaging underground gas pipes.
- Faulty appliance — a manufacturing defect in a boiler, cooker or heater.
- Failure to cap off disconnected supplies — gas escaping from uncapped pipes during building work.
Who is liable?
| Defendant | Legal basis |
|---|---|
| Landlord | Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 — annual check, gas safety record, Gas Safe registered engineer |
| Gas engineer / installer | Negligence; must be Gas Safe registered; liable for faulty work |
| Gas network operator | Negligence; responsible for mains supply pipework |
| Employer | HSWA 1974; must maintain workplace gas systems; RIDDOR reportable |
| Building contractor | Negligence; liability for damaging gas pipes during excavation or demolition |
| Appliance manufacturer | Consumer Protection Act 1987 (strict liability for defective products) |
Landlord duties
Landlords have specific, non-delegable duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998:
- Have all gas appliances, flues and pipework checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Provide tenants with a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of the check or before they move in.
- Ensure gas appliances are in a safe condition at the start of each tenancy.
Failure to comply is both a criminal offence and strong evidence of negligence in a civil claim. If your landlord never provided a gas safety certificate, that significantly strengthens your claim. See our tenant injury claims guide.
Compensation for gas explosion injuries
Gas explosion injuries are often catastrophic. Compensation follows the standard structure:
| Injury | JCG chapter | Severity range |
|---|---|---|
| Severe burns (extensive scarring, multiple grafts) | Chapter 8 | Case-specific; can be very substantial depending on extent and location |
| Moderate burns (less extensive, partial recovery) | Chapter 8 | Several thousand to mid-tens of thousands |
| Hearing damage (tinnitus, deafness from blast) | Chapter 2(A)–(B) | Several thousand to over 100,000 for total deafness |
| Fractures (blast-force) | Various Chapter 7 | Several thousand to mid-tens of thousands per fracture |
| Lung damage (blast lung, smoke inhalation) | Chapter 7(D) | Case-specific; can be substantial for chronic lung damage |
| Psychiatric injury (PTSD, severe anxiety) | Chapter 4(A) | Up to approximately 6,540 (less severe) to 56,180–122,850 (severe) |
Special damages in gas explosion cases can be very large: property damage and rebuilding costs, temporary accommodation, lost belongings, lost earnings, medical treatment (including skin grafts and reconstructive surgery), ongoing care and any adaptations needed. If the explosion caused death, a claim may be brought under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.
Evidence for a gas explosion claim
- HSE or gas transporter investigation report — serious incidents are investigated by the HSE or the gas distribution network.
- Fire and rescue service report — the fire brigade’s fire investigation report.
- Police report — if criminal proceedings follow.
- Gas safety records — was the landlord’s annual check up to date? Is the engineer Gas Safe registered?
- Photographs and video — of the damage, the appliance, the scene.
- Medical records — burns unit, A&E, specialist treatment, psychological assessment.
- Witness statements — neighbours, firefighters, fellow tenants.
Time limits
Three years from the explosion under the Limitation Act 1980 (England and Wales). Children’s time starts at 18. Fatal accident claims run from date of death. See our time limits guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for a gas explosion injury?
Yes. If the explosion was caused by someone else’s negligence or a breach of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, you can claim compensation. Potential defendants include landlords, gas engineers, gas suppliers, employers, building contractors and appliance manufacturers.
Who is liable for a gas explosion?
Liability depends on the cause. Landlords must maintain gas appliances and provide annual gas safety certificates. Gas engineers must be Gas Safe registered and work competently. Gas network operators are responsible for mains supply. Employers must maintain workplace gas systems. A manufacturer may be liable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 if a faulty appliance caused the explosion.
What are a landlord’s duties regarding gas safety?
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must have all gas appliances, flues and pipework checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and provide tenants with a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days or before they move in.
How much compensation can I get?
Gas explosion injuries are often severe, including burns, blast injuries, fractures and psychological trauma. General damages are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines. Severe burns can attract significant awards. Special damages cover lost earnings, treatment, property damage and housing costs if you are displaced.
What if I was at work when the explosion happened?
Your employer has duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Gas Safety Regulations to maintain gas installations and equipment. You would claim against your employer’s liability insurance.
Can neighbours claim for a gas explosion?
Yes. Neighbours injured by a gas explosion can claim against the party responsible for the gas system that failed. Property damage, physical injuries and psychological trauma are all recoverable.
How long do I have to claim?
Three years from the date of the explosion under the Limitation Act 1980 (England and Wales). Children’s time limits start at age 18. Fatal accident claims run from the date of death.
What should I do immediately after a gas explosion?
Call 999 for emergency services. Evacuate the area. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Do not re-enter the property until cleared. Seek medical attention. Photograph your injuries and the damage once safe. Report the incident and preserve evidence.
Get help from official, free sources
- National Gas Emergency Service — 0800 111 999 (24 hours)
- Gas Safe Register — check whether an engineer is registered
- HSE — report gas safety concerns
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance
Related guides: carbon monoxide poisoning claims, scarring and burns claims, fatal accident claims, defective product claims, tenant injury claims.