The family of Jeanne Jasa, who was killed after her home exploded on August 14, 2017, recently filed a tort claim against the home’s natural gas provider and the city of Lincoln, accusing them of negligently causing the wrongful death of Jasa. Attorney Brian Jorde is representing her children in this case.
Police are still investigating the explosion that destroyed Jasa’s house and claimed her life on August 29, 2017 and her husband, Jimmy Jasa’s life on May 2, 2018 and have not ruled out foul play. However, in an interview with the Lincoln Journal Star, Jorde stated that the lack of any criminal charges a year after the fact,
"leads us to believe the city/county does not believe this explosion was anything other than a terrible accident that never should have occurred."
Filing the tort claim – which is seeking at least $2 million for Jasa’s wrongful death, at least $2 million for her pain and suffering, and $75,000 to cover her medical bills – less than a year after the explosion occurred gives the family the option of filing a civil lawsuit in the future.
The seven-page claim accuses Black Hills Energy, the natural gas provider for the home of failing to regulate the home’s natural gas through its safety warning system and infrastructure, which allowed the home to fill with gas and eventually explode.
"But for the negligent acts of Black Hills, Jeanne would be alive today," Jorde said in the claim.
The family has not decided whether or not to file a civil lawsuit yet. According to Jorde, they will decide after they have reviewed l available evidence. The evidence available for review is limited because a considerable amount of it was lost in the explosion. The family has not yet filed a tort claim on behalf of their father as of now.
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