What Are Some Examples of Fire Injury Lawsuits? 

When someone has been the victim of a burn or fire injury, it can be traumatizing. Fire injury victims may be left with both physical and psychological damage from their injuries.
 
They may sustain enormous financial challenges, as well. Oftentimes, injured individuals face mounting medical bills, lost income from missed work, and other monetary difficulties.
 
Some fires happen by chance. Some are instances of unavoidable tragedy. But other fires are the result of someone’s negligence or carelessness.
 
When a person’s negligence results in injury to others, the liable party can be held accountable. If you have suffered a burn or other fire injury, contact Morgan & Morgan.
 
With over 30 years of experience, we have handled countless fire injury lawsuits. Our attorneys have the expertise and skill to recover maximum financial compensation for you.
 
You should not have to face the costs associated with your fire injury on your own. 
 
Do not hesitate to reach out to Morgan & Morgan. To schedule a no-cost legal consultation about your fire injury case, complete our easy contact form online. 

Fire Injury and Burn Statistics 

According to research from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), burn injuries and smoke inhalation from house fires are prevalent. In fact, they are two of the leading causes of home-related deaths in the United States.
 
In one recent year, over 1.3 million fires were reported by U.S. fire departments. These fires resulted in the deaths of over 3,400 people. Nearly 15,000 individuals were injured.
 
Fires are also a leading cause of property damage and loss. In the same year, structural fires caused nearly $23 billion in property loss. 
 
When a fire has been caused by another person’s negligence or carelessness, the victims have the legal right to pursue financial recovery. Oftentimes, this pursuit takes the form of a fire injury lawsuit.  

Burns From Fire Injuries 

Burns are the most common type of fire-related injury. When the body is exposed to extreme heat, tissue damage occurs. There are four degrees of severity used to classify burns: 

First-Degree Burn

This is the mildest type of burn. First-degree injuries are comparable to sunburns. Some pain and redness will probably occur.
 
Typically, these burns only affect the top layer of skin. First-degree burns usually heal a few days after the incident.

Second-Degree Burns

This type of burn deals damage to deeper layers of skin. Second-degree burns often form blisters, and the injury becomes extremely painful.
 
This type of injury presents a risk of bacterial infection. Healing may take several weeks.

Third-Degree Burns

These burns are sometimes less painful because of damage to underlying nerves. With third-degree burns, all layers of the skin are damaged. 
 
These burns do not heal without medical treatment. Oftentimes, surgery and skin grafts are the recommended treatment. The risk of infection is very high in the case of third-degree burns.

Fourth-Degree Burns

This is the most severe category of burn injury. With this type of burn, every layer of skin is functionally destroyed. Muscle, bone, and nerves are also heavily damaged. 
 
This type of injury is life-threatening. Fourth-degree burns often require amputation and surgeries.
 
Burns are not the only types of fire-related injuries. House fires can lead to many types of respiratory issues and conditions, as well. 
 
These injuries and illnesses can vary widely, but they share some common features. Common causes of respiratory injuries resulting from fires include:

Oxygen-Depleted Air

A lack of oxygen in the air close to a fire can cause confusion, drowsiness, and other serious symptoms in victims. If a person is oxygen-depleted for an extended time, the results are fatal.

Inhaling High-Temperature Gases

Breathing in gases at high temperatures can cause burns inside the nasal passages and lungs. This can cause severe and permanent lung conditions.

Smoke Inhalation

Smoke contains ash, carbon, and many toxic gases. Breathing in smoke can lead to long-term respiratory illnesses. 
 
If a fire injury victim breathes in too much smoke, it can cause seizures and coma.
 
As you can see, fire injuries are common and incredibly dangerous. When a fire happens as the result of someone’s carelessness, they should be held liable for the damage that they have caused. 

Examples of Fire Injury Lawsuits 

If you were the victim of a fire injury that another person or entity caused, you can seek compensation through the legal claims process. 
 
Typically, personal injury cases will begin when the victim files a claim for damages with the opposing party’s insurance provider. It is important to secure qualified legal counsel before seeking financial compensation for your fire-related injuries.
 
After filing a claim, you may need to negotiate with the relevant insurance company. With the help of a skilled lawyer, you may reach an adequate settlement without the need for a lawsuit. 
 
But when negotiations fail because of a tight-fisted or uncooperative opposing party, a fire injury lawsuit becomes necessary.
 
There are many circumstances that can lead to a fire injury lawsuit. Some of the most common examples of fire injury lawsuits include: 

Home Appliance Fire Injury Lawsuits

Some home appliances may be faulty or contain defects. If an appliance in your home was defective and caused a house fire that resulted in injuries, you may have the right to seek financial recovery.
 
The manufacturers of defective and dangerous products can be held accountable for the damage that their faulty items cause.

Apartment Building Fire Injury Lawsuits

Landlords and property owners have a duty of care to their tenants and renters. In many cases, there are specific legal fire safety standards with which landlords must comply.
 
These obligations may include:

• Installing an adequate number of smoke alarms
• Ensuring that fire escapes are functional
• Keeping electrical wiring up to code
• Maintaining clear escape routes out of the structure
• Installing fire alarms
• And more

When a landlord or property management company fails to take appropriate safety measures, tenants can sue for any resulting damages.
 
Consider the following example. Suppose that you suffer a respiratory illness as the result of smoke inhalation from an apartment fire. If you were asleep at the time of the fire and no alarm sounded to alert you, the property management company may be at fault.
 
In this case, you may be able to bring a strong legal case against them. With a fire injury lawsuit, you can recover the money that you need to get your life back on track.
 
When a landlord or property owner fails to maintain a safe living environment, they should be held financially responsible for the resulting damages.

Workplace Fire Injury Lawsuits

Fires can happen anywhere, even in the workplace. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 5,000 workplace fire injuries occur annually.
 
In most cases, laborers that sustain fire injuries while working can seek recovery through a workers’ compensation claim. In some states, there are laws that prohibit employees from seeking a lawsuit before filing for workers’ compensation.
 
Regardless, employees who have been hurt because of their employer’s negligence should not have to bear the financial burdens from their injuries alone. If you have been injured while performing your job function, do not hesitate.
 
Speaking with an accomplished and trusted workers’ compensation lawyer can give you the best chance of securing the recovery that you need. 
 
Workers’ compensation laws place strict timelines on the claims process. Waiting will make it much more difficult for you to receive the payments that you are owed.
 
These are only a few examples of fire injury lawsuits. No matter what the circumstances of your fire injury, speak with a legal professional to explore all your options.
 
A fire injury can be life-changing and devastating. Victims deserve to be compensated for their losses.