Dust may still be settling in the wake of a gas explosion at the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County in Northern California. Officials say an oven in the jail blew up and left 10 inmates injured. One of them suffered serious head injuries.
None of the injuries suffered are considered life-threatening, according to officials, but attorneys experienced with such matters know that such trauma can be life changing. The possibility of permanent damage that might prompt a claim for Social Security disability benefits is particularly high for those who suffer head injury.
Officials say the blast at the jail happened about 11:45 in the morning on Tuesday. The force of the explosion ripped a seven-foot-tall steel door off its hinges. Whether that was what injured the man who suffered the head trauma isn’t clear. Six individuals were treated in the jail’s infirmary, but the other four had to be hospitalized.
At this point, authorities say they don’t believe any foul play was involved in the explosion. They say bomb and arson experts are investigating the incident to determine what happened. First responders at the scene say there were no flames to squelch, so damage to the facility is limited.
Social Security Administration, incarceration may make a person ineligible to receive some of the various benefits it manages, at least during the time they are in custody. Once they are released, seeking benefits might be possilbe, but there may be other issues to consider. Those with questions about their possible status should consult with an attorney to explore their possible options.
Source: San Jose Mercury News, “Ten injured in oven explosion at Santa Rita Jail kitchen,” Rick Hurd, Contra Costa Times, Dec. 17, 2013