4 injured in suburban Philadelphia nursing home explosion file negligence lawsuit

Four victims of a Pennsylvania nursing home explosion that occurred on December 23 have filed a lawsuit against the facility and its natural gas provider, alleging negligence led to the blast that killed two people and injured 20 others.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Philadelphia court, names Bristol Health & Rehab Center LLC, PECO Energy Company, PECO’s parent company Exelon Corp., and Saber Healthcare Holdings LLC of Beachwood, Ohio as defendants. The plaintiffs include two employees of the suburban Philadelphia nursing home, a resident, and a contractor who happened to be on the premises when the explosion occurred.

According to court documents, the defendants “were aware of a gas leak in the building and failed to take the steps necessary to evacuate the building, fix the leak and protect the residents, workers and others that were exposed to the horrific blast.” The lawsuit further alleges that the gas leak “had been festering for days” and originated from the facility’s boiler room.

The plaintiffs claim that the decision not to immediately evacuate the building was “reckless and outrageous” given that many residents had limited mobility and could not evacuate independently in an emergency situation. This alleged negligence, the lawsuit contends, directly contributed to the devastating explosion that rocked the community.

When contacted for comment, Zach Shamberg, chief of government affairs for Saber Healthcare Group, acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment on pending litigation. He stated via email that the company is fully cooperating with ongoing investigations into the incident.

PECO communications director Greg Smore also declined to comment, explaining that as a party to the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation, the company is not permitted to discuss details. PECO has previously stated that the cause remains under investigation, and it has not been determined whether the utility’s equipment or natural gas supply played a role in the explosion.

The December 23 blast claimed the lives of 52-year-old Muthoni Nduthu, a Kenyan immigrant who worked at the facility, and a resident whose identity authorities have not yet disclosed. The force of the explosion was so powerful that it shook homes for several blocks in Bristol, which is located approximately 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

According to previous reports, a PECO crew had been dispatched to the nursing home to investigate reports of a gas odor when the explosion occurred. In the aftermath, local officials noted numerous acts of heroism as emergency responders worked to evacuate approximately 100 residents, transferring them to nearby nursing facilities.

The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols and emergency procedures at healthcare facilities, particularly those serving vulnerable populations with mobility challenges. Industry experts note that nursing homes are required to have comprehensive emergency response plans that include evacuation procedures for situations involving gas leaks or other potential hazards.

This lawsuit could have broader implications for the healthcare and senior living industries, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of facility maintenance practices and emergency preparedness protocols. It also highlights the critical importance of timely responses to potential gas leaks, which can quickly escalate into catastrophic events when not properly addressed.

The case is expected to bring attention to regulations governing safety inspections at healthcare facilities and coordination between these facilities and utility providers when potentially dangerous situations arise. As investigations continue, both state regulatory agencies and the National Transportation Safety Board are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion and whether it could have been prevented.