$17.5 Million Settlement Secured for Welder Left with Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injury in Industrial Explosion

Adam Morales, a welding contractor, went to work expecting a routine welding job. Instead, a steam explosion tore through an industrial storage tank, launching him nearly 30 feet to the ground and leaving him with catastrophic, life-altering injuries—including a severe spinal cord injury and extensive trauma throughout his body requiring multiple surgeries.

The defendant initially blamed Morales, claiming he caused the dangerous conditions that led to the blast. But the Aitken Aitken Cohn trial team dug deeper. Through aggressive litigation and expert investigation, they uncovered the truth: the tank had never been properly cleared of combustible materials—hazards the company had known about for decades. Critical safety failures, including improper steam use and inadequate pressure controls, ultimately triggered the explosion. By proving what really happened, the AAC team secured a $17.5 million settlement—providing Morales with the financial support needed to address his lifelong medical care and the profound impact of his spinal cord injury.