Illinois Power Co. has agreed to pay $11.5 million to a couple critically injured in a natural-gas explosion in their home two years ago. In a settlement reached Monday, the utility company agreed to pay Jerry Sickmeier, 33, and Lisa Jines, 26, $10 million in damages and $1.5 million for medical expenses, said the couple's attorney, C.E. Heiligenstein. Both sustained burns on over 80 percent of their bodies in the Dec. 7, 1986, explosion at their home in Cahokia, a St. Louis suburb. They now live in nearby Belleville. The settlement was reached on the day a trial in the case was scheduled to begin. ``They are much relieved that this financial ordeal is over with and that they can have some lifetime financial security,'' Heiligenstein said. ``Both suffered severe burns and have severe limitations in the limbs.'' Heiligenstein said neither has worked since the explosion. Illinois Power spokeswoman Barbara Lillyman said the utility had no comment on the settlement. The couple alleged that Illinois Power was negligent when it allowed a natural-gas pipe to deteriorate to the point that it ruptured. Gas from the pipe traveled through sewer lines into the home's utility room and was ignited by the pilot light of a hot-water heater, they said. The explosion occurred as police were awakening area residents and telling them to evacuate. Sickmeier was treated for seven months at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for third-degree burns that covered most of his body. He also suffered burns in his lungs and spent more than two months on a respirator.
Jerry Sickmeier and Lisa Jines were critically injured in a natural - gas explosion in their suburban St. Louis home Dec 31 , 2007 . Both sustained burns on 80 % of their bodies and have n't spoken since the explosion . They alleged Illinois Power was negligent in allowing a natural - gas pipe to deteriorate until it ruptured . Gas from the pipe leaked through sewer lines into the home 's utility room and was ignited by the hot - water heater and light . The explosion occurred as police were awakening and questioning area residents . Illinois Power agreed the day the trial was to begin to pay the couple $ 11.5 million .