New Jersey Utility Reaches $450K Settlement Deadly House Blast

November 15, 2010

Public Service Electric & Gas will pay $450,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a man killed in a 2008 house explosion.

Sixty-six-year-old Richard Haas, who lived alone in the three-story Teaneck home, died after leaking natural gas ignited inside. The July 2008 blast leveled the house and damaged five other homes.

Residents had reported a strong natural gas odor about two weeks before the blast occurred, but it’s still not clear what caused the leak or how the gas was ignited. The incident remains under investigation by state and utility officials.

The Record reported the agreement Saturday.

Kenneth Berkowitz, the estate’s attorney, said a confidentiality agreement barred him from discussing the settlement.

The newspaper says Hass’ beneficiaries will split about $300,000, with the rest going toward legal fees.

Topics New Jersey

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Latest Comments

  • November 16, 2010 at 11:08 am
    Big Mike In CA says:
    "Keith Richards is 66 - will be 67 next month. I dare you to call Keith old - to his face!" That'd be like telling Medusa she's got a bad perm...you're gonna get stoned!
  • November 16, 2010 at 5:03 am
    M. Prankster says:
    Gosh has this country become ageist. I hope I never encounter PK in an HR position as I search for work. Keith Richards is 66 - will be 67 next month. I dare you to call Keith... read more
  • November 15, 2010 at 2:33 am
    WK says:
    Seriously? The neighbors said it smelled like that for two weeks. Not the family. Maybe the family lives out of State. Do you visit your family every two weeks? That is unreas... read more

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