Pennsylvania Nursing Home Explosion Leads to Lawsuits

A December 2025 explosion at a Bristol, Pennsylvania nursing home caused at least two deaths and several injuries. Now, several people involved in the incident have filed lawsuits against the nursing home and its parent company. 

Lawsuits like these seek to hold at-fault parties accountable when their negligence causes serious harm. The lawsuits also seek compensation for those injured by negligence. These cases can be a powerful way to protect Pennsylvania families and send a message that using due care to prevent injuries matters. 

What Happened at the Bristol, Pennsylvania Nursing Home

On December 23, 2025, an explosion at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania caused multiple deaths and at least 20 injuries. Firefighters investigating the scene said that a gas leak caused two explosions within the building, along with a fire. 

PECO responded to calls about a gas odor at the facility around 2:00 p.m. on the date of the explosion. According to PECO, the crews were on site when the explosion occurred. PECO workers shut off the gas and electric service to try to prevent additional fire and explosions, according to the utility company. 

The Silver Lake Nursing Home had recently received a change of ownership. Saber Healthcare Group purchased the facility in 2025. State Department of Health officials had visited the nursing home only a few weeks before the explosion. A plan to upgrade the facility had been created. 

Lawsuits against PECO and Saber Healthcare Group claim that both parties contributed to the deaths and injuries suffered in the explosion. One lawsuit alleges that those responsible for the nursing home knew about the gas leak “for days” but failed to address it. The lawsuit also alleges that the facility did not have an emergency evacuation plan. 

Another lawsuit also mentions the lack of evacuation. It claims the gas odor was obvious for at least half an hour before the explosion, yet the facility wasn’t evacuated. So far, all lawsuits filed in this incident allege that PECO, Saber, and their parent companies were negligent, resulting in death and serious injury. 

Responsibilities for Patient, Visitor, and Staff Safety

All Pennsylvania businesses are responsible for the safety of staff members, visitors, and others who are on the premises. This responsibility has two main elements:

• Businesses must fix problems promptly once they realize an issue exists, and
• When a problem can’t be fixed right away, businesses must warn visitors and patrons. If it’s an emergency, the business must take steps to protect others – such as evacuating a building if it cannot be made safe. 

Examples of businesses meeting these obligations range from using “wet floor” signs to creating, training, and using an evacuation plan for sudden emergencies like gas leaks. Businesses that don’t take steps to address non-obvious or serious hazards may be held responsible if preventable injuries occur as a result of their failures. 

What to Do If You’re Concerned About Safety

Nursing homes are just one type of Pennsylvania healthcare facility and employer responsible for the safety of staff and those in their care. Every Pennsylvania employer has responsibilities to use reasonable care to prevent harm to those who work in and visit their businesses. 

If you’re concerned about safety when you visit any Pennsylvania business:

• Report the issue right away. Speak to a manager or someone in authority, and point out the problem. Take photos or make a video. Ask for copies of any written repair orders or accident reports. 
• Call 911 if there’s an emergency, such as a gas leak. 
• Move away from the safety risk and help others move to a safe distance as well, if possible. 
• Seek medical attention immediately if you are injured. A doctor can diagnose your injuries and help you get the care you need. 
• Talk to an attorney who can help you protect your rights. 

If you’re injured on the job in Pennsylvania:

• Tell your employer as soon as possible. Notify your manager or anyone in authority at your worksite.
• Ask for a list of approved physicians and see one as soon as you can. Your employer will have a list of doctors covered by workers’ compensation. See one of these doctors for diagnosis and treatment of your injuries.
• Talk to an attorney who can help you navigate Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system. 

Reach out to the team at MyPhillyLawyer today. Our experienced Philadelphia injury lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and take steps to secure the compensation you need. To learn more, contact us today.