Bucks County, PA — Two more victims of a deadly nursing home explosion in December 2025 have filed a lawsuit against the Bristol Health & Rehab Center and PECO Energy Company, adding to multiple legal claims tied to the catastrophic incident.
The explosion occurred on Dec. 23, 2025, at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol Township, also known as Silver Lake Nursing Home, and was reportedly linked to a gas leak. At the time, at least two people were killed and about 20 others injured in the blast that caused extensive damage to the facility and surrounding neighborhood.
Authorities later confirmed a third death resulting from injuries sustained in the explosion, bringing the total fatalities to three.
Details of the New Lawsuit
On Jan. 7, 2026, two individuals who were residents of the nursing home at the time of the explosion — Joseph Juhas Sr. and Maryann Schnepp — filed a lawsuit in Philadelphia courts against:
-
Bristol Health & Rehab Center LLC (the nursing home),
-
PECO Energy Company (the natural gas utility),
-
Exelon Corp. (PECO’s parent company), and
-
Saber Healthcare Holdings LLC (the facility’s owner/operator).
According to the complaint, the defendants were aware of the threat of a gas leak but failed to take adequate action to safeguard residents and staff. The suit alleges the facility acted carelessly and recklessly, and that the plaintiffs suffered severe injuries — including traumatic brain injuries and bone fractures — in the blast.
Earlier Lawsuits and Allegations
The latest filing comes shortly after another lawsuit was filed by four people injured in the explosion on Jan. 5, 2026. That case also names PECO, Exelon, Saber Healthcare, and the nursing home and alleges that:
-
A gas smell was reported in the days leading up to the explosion;
-
Despite those reports, no evacuation was ordered or implemented; and
-
PECO personnel were on site responding to a gas odor when the explosion occurred.
Plaintiffs in these lawsuits contend that the defendants’ negligence and failure to respond to warnings about a gas leak were direct causes of catastrophic injuries. WHYY
Ongoing Investigations and Broader Implications
State and federal agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are investigating the explosion’s cause and circumstances. These inquiries are expected to examine the gas supply infrastructure, response actions by utility and facility staff, and compliance with safety protocols.
As additional lawsuits are filed, they may influence broader discussions about nursing home safety standards, emergency preparedness, and utility company accountability in managing infrastructure risks that affect vulnerable populations.
