Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in PA Nursing Home Explosion: What Families Need to Know

The recent explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home has tragically resulted in fatalities and severe injuries, prompting a wrongful death lawsuit and raising critical questions about safety and accountability. When a loved one dies due to negligence or wrongful acts, families may pursue a wrongful death claim to seek justice and compensation. This blog post aims to provide families affected by the PA nursing home explosion with essential information about wrongful death lawsuits, their rights, and the legal process involved.

Understanding Wrongful Death in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law defines wrongful death as a death caused by the “wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.” This means that if a person’s death results from the fault of another party, whether through negligence, intentional harm, or other wrongful actions, a wrongful death claim can be filed.

What recent events have occurred?

On December 23, 2025, a devastating explosion occurred at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The explosion, suspected to be caused by a natural gas leak, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, leading to a large-scale emergency response and subsequent investigations.

Negligence Allegations

In the aftermath of the explosion, a lawsuit has been filed alleging negligence on the part of the nursing home’s operator, Saber Healthcare Group, and the natural gas supplier, PECO (Philadelphia Electric Company). The lawsuit claims that the defendants failed to respond appropriately to reports of a gas leak, neglected to evacuate the building, and did not properly maintain the gas pipeline.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In Pennsylvania, the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit is generally granted to specific individuals closely related to the deceased. According to Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated (PA CSA) §8301, the following individuals may file a lawsuit:

Surviving spouse
Children
Parents

If none of these individuals exist, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate may file a lawsuit to recover compensation for the financial harm the injury and death caused the estate.

Statute of Limitations

It’s crucial to be aware of the statute of limitations, which sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. Failing to file a lawsuit within this timeframe may result in losing the right to pursue compensation.

There are exceptions to this rule, such as in cases where the cause of death was not immediately apparent. The “discovery rule” may extend the statute of limitations if the negligence or misconduct that caused the death was not discovered until later.

Elements of a Wrongful Death Claim

To successfully pursue a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania, certain elements must be established:

Death: The death of a human being must have occurred.
Negligence: The death must have resulted from negligence, a wrongful act, or the intent to harm by another individual, company, or entity.
Surviving Beneficiaries: There must be surviving beneficiaries or dependents who have suffered financial harm due to the death.
Appointment of a Personal Representative: A personal representative for the estate of the deceased person must be appointed to bring the lawsuit on behalf of the estate and the surviving family members.

Potential Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

In a successful wrongful death case, the following types of damages may be recovered:

Economic Damages: These damages aim to compensate for the financial losses suffered by the surviving family members, including:
- Loss of the deceased’s earnings and benefits
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Funeral and burial expenses
Non-Economic Damages: These damages aim to compensate for the intangible losses suffered by the surviving family members, including:
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and guidance
- Pain and suffering

Nursing Home Responsibilities and Duty of Care

Nursing homes have a legal and ethical duty to provide a safe and secure environment for their residents. This duty of care includes:

Maintaining safe equipment and infrastructure
Responding promptly to potential hazards, such as gas leaks
Training staff on emergency procedures and evacuation plans
Following federal and state safety regulations
Ensuring inspection issues are corrected promptly

When a nursing home fails to meet these standards and negligence results in a resident’s death, a wrongful death claim may be warranted.

Factors that Led to the Nursing Home Explosion

Several factors may have contributed to the tragic nursing home explosion in Pennsylvania:

Unaddressed Gas Leak: Reports indicate that a gas leak may have been present for days before the explosion, and residents had complained about the smell of gas.
Failure to Evacuate: Despite the reported gas leak, the building was not evacuated, potentially endangering the lives of residents and staff.
Inadequate Maintenance: The lawsuit alleges that PECO and Exelon failed to properly test and maintain the gas pipeline leading to the nursing home.
Safety Violations: State inspectors had previously cited the nursing home for safety violations, raising concerns about the facility’s overall safety practices.

Legal Options for Families

If you have lost a loved one in the PA nursing home explosion, you have legal options to consider:

Wrongful Death Lawsuit: You may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the parties responsible for the negligence or wrongful acts that caused your loved one’s death.
Survival Action: In addition to a wrongful death claim, you may also be able to pursue a survival action, which allows the deceased person’s estate to recover damages for the pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other losses incurred by the deceased before death.

How to Proceed with a Claim

Consult with a Wrongful Death Attorney: It is essential to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney who can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and guide you through the legal process.
Gather Evidence: Collect all relevant documents and information related to the incident, including medical records, incident reports, and witness statements.
Investigate the Incident: Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and identify all responsible parties.
File a Lawsuit: If there is sufficient evidence to support your claim, your attorney will file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf.
Negotiate a Settlement or Proceed to Trial: Your attorney will negotiate with the defendants to reach a fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to trial.

Recent Updates

As of January 5, 2026, a lawsuit has been filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of four survivors of the explosion. The lawsuit alleges negligence against Saber Healthcare Group, PECO, and others, claiming they failed to respond appropriately to the gas leak and neglected to evacuate the building. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the explosion and is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks.

Seeking Justice and Accountability

The wrongful death lawsuit filed in connection with the PA nursing home explosion seeks to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and to provide compensation to the victims and their families. By pursuing legal action, families can seek justice for their loved ones and help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

If you have been affected by this tragic event, it is essential to seek legal guidance and understand your rights. A wrongful death attorney can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.