My son was 14 when he died in a gas explosion. My family tried to soothe me by telling me that he died instantly and in no way did he suffer. They say that he died of a fractured skull. I have a lawsuit against the oil and gas company and my lawyer recently sent me a copy of the autopsy report. My son didnt have a fracture. The report says conflagration also findings say Erythema of respiratory mucosa with widespread soot deposit and Pulmonary congestion and edema. I dont understand what any of that means and I would like help from someone who can tell me the truth and not try to spare my feelings thank you

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I understand that autopsy reports can lead to unecessary confusion, which is the last thing a grieving family wants. Now, here is the 'simplified' version of the autopsy report:

A conflagration is a term used to describe a fire with such great force and energy that it creates its own wind shear (normally 5-15 miles/hour). By all means, an extremely intense fire. Erythema is caused by capillary congestion, During erythema, capillaries engorge and rupture expelling their blood content. A common form of erythema is rednes around a pimple or a rash, in which that case, it's not fatal. Erythema of the lung mucosa means that lung capilarries ruptured and expelled blood onto the mucosa, therefore tinting it red. The report also stated that there was accumulation of soot in the lungs as well as edema and congestion. The soot in the lungs means that your son was breathing during this ordeal, I can gurantee he was rendered unconcious from the blast. There would be no other explanation for the soot to be in the respiratory tract,only that he was breathing the material in. Edema or congestion of the tissue,in this case, would be caused by the interruption of life-giving oxygen with the carbon/volatile gases emitted. This interruption causes fluid to accumulate in tissues (in this case, the lungs). Fluid collected in the lungs and pleural cavity (where lungs rest in pace). Erythema in itself causes fluid to accumulate in tissue, so it can be stated that the edema was in part caused by it.


Summary:
The conflagration rendered your son unconciouss. This can be guranteed. however, he lived long enough to inhalehot gases and soot emitted by the fire. This was observed at autopsy. The inhalation of these gases caused an interruption of oxygen to the lungs, therefore causing pressure build-up in the lung capillaries. This in turn caused them to rupture, spilling blood into mucosa and the respiratory tract. The lungs, unable to oxygenate, begin filling with fluid, partly due to erythema, but mainly de to the inhalation of volatile gases as opossed to oxygen. The lungs, now heavily weighed down with fluid retention, are unable to expand or oxygenate. Without oxygen, oxygen-dependent organs (heart and brain) cease their function causing your son's demise.

I hope this helps you.