Filing a Lawsuit After Suffering a Fire Injury

One of the most horrific and painful things a human can suffer is a burn injury If the individual lives through the experience, the psychological and physical scarring can leave the person devastated and overwhelmed by significant medical expenses, loss of wages, and life-altering pain and suffering. If another party’s negligence is to blame for the fire, the burn victim can possibly receive compensation for the damages.

In a case where the landlord of an apartment complex refused to follow necessary fire safety regulations or an employer did not follow basic workplace safety rules, the injured burn victim may find that an insurance adjuster will join the landlord or the employer in trying to minimize any financial payout to the victim. For this reason, it is advisable for the injured individual to consult with a highly qualified fire and burn attorney as quickly as possible after the accident.

A lawyer with numerous successful cases will know how to proceed in order to hold all negligent parties accountable for their damaging actions. In the process, the attorney can help the victim receive compensation that is rightfully due. Our fire injury lawyers are highly skilled in handling cases involving:

  • House fires
  • Apartment fires
  • Workplace fires

House Fire Lawsuit

For individuals who experience a house fire, the trauma can be overwhelming. After dealing with the actual fire itself, the homeowners must then deal with the insurance company to reach an agreement concerning the Scope of Loss, the type and amount of damage done. Additionally, there will need to be an estimate calculated and agreed upon for the kind of materials to be used for rebuilding and their cost. Labor expenses will also need to be determined and agreed upon.

Because insurance companies are not known for their fairness toward individuals to whom they will be paying proceeds, the victim of a house fire may want to consider seeking counsel from a house fire lawyer for help with the value and validity of the claim against the insurer. Most homeowner insurance policies have fire coverage included, but a situation could arise where an individual might face significant delay, undervaluation or even a denial. At this point, a legal representative can prove to be invaluable.

Certain types of claims are more common than others. Below are some of the more typical house fire lawsuit claims handled by attorneys:

  • The fire started by defective product or maintenance
  • Missing or defective smoke alarms
  • Personal injury from house fire
  • Explosion
  • Wildfire-caused damage
  • Claim denied or delayed by the insurer
  • Insurers offering lowball estimates for the cost of rebuilding or replacing property

Apartment Fire Lawsuit

When living in an apartment building, one can have several individuals living nearby within the same structure. One or more of these people can have habits that could potentially lead to a fire. Some may smoke, and others may negligently use the gas cooking stove. If any of these individuals carelessly start a fire, vast numbers of tenants can suddenly be without a place to live and with no belongings.

In some cases, landlord negligence leads to a fire that destroys an entire building in minutes. If the landlord failed to uphold the responsibilities of proper maintenance and care, a renter might be able to receive compensation by holding the landlord legally accountable.

A variety of circumstances can lead to an apartment fire. Managers and landlords must ensure adequate fire safety systems are in place. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held liable for injuries or deaths that occur in an apartment fire lawsuit. Below are some common examples of landlord negligence leading to fires and injuries:

  • Building code violations
  • Faulty wiring
  • Lack of smoke detectors
  • Overcrowding
  • No fire extinguishers
  • Defective smoke alarms
  • Smoking
  • No fire alarms
  • Pest infestations
  • Faulty heating equipment
  • Blocked fire exits

Workplace Fire Lawsuit

Some workplace settings put employees in particularly vulnerable situations where they are more likely to experience fire and burn injuries. Explosions and fires cause approximately 5,000 burn injuries in the workplace every year, per the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Employees who suffer burn injuries on the job can often file for workers’ compensation benefits for wage replacement. However, by receiving the benefits, these employees are required to forfeit any right to bring a workplace fire lawsuit against the employer for negligence. Unfortunately, insurers often attempt to limit the amounts paid out or to completely deny any benefits at all. For these reasons, it’s advisable that burn-injured employees consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to learn their legal rights and the options available to them.

It is important to note that there are no benefits paid by workers’ compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by injured employees, nor for any disfigurement, loss of consortium, and loss of life’s enjoyment. However, if burn-injured employees pursue a third-party claim, these damages may be compensated.

With this type of claim, an injured employee files a workplace fire lawsuit against a product manufacturer or a subcontractor, seeking damages that can supplement the workers’ compensation benefits being received. Our attorneys are skilled at handling third-party claims in addition to workers’ compensation claims that stem from various types of workplace accidents like chemical exposure, construction site accidents, chemical plant explosions, and refinery fires.

Unfortunately, workers can receive burns in all kinds of settings. Each of the following injuries qualifies the employee to receive workers’ compensation benefits:

  • Electrical burns caused by faulty wiring
  • Firefighter burns received from putting out a fire
  • Hot roofing tar and other spilled scalding materials
  • Office building fire with no fire sprinklers
  • Lung/airway burns from toxic fume inhalation
  • Restaurant cook burns from boiling liquids or stove fires
  • Eye burns or skin burns from radiation exposure
  • Mill, factory, refinery or warehouse fires
  • Construction site fires
  • Plumber burns from drain cleaners or rust removers
  • Lab chemical burns from hazardous acids or alkaloids

Take Legal Action

These lawsuits may involve product liability issues or negligence. Consulting with an experienced burn injury attorney can help provide a path for receiving deserved compensation.            

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