What Happens if Your Apartment Burns Down?

The laws surrounding landlord responsibilities vary by state. These differences can make it confusing for victims of apartment fires.  

Determining your legal options following an apartment fire will depend on who is responsible for causing the incident. If the fire began because of the landlord’s negligence or carelessness, they might be responsible for the losses that you experience. 

But what happens if your apartment burns down because of the actions of another tenant? Your landlord might still be liable for the damages, even in a situation like this. 

Landlords in most states have a responsibility to protect their tenants from reasonably foreseeable hazards. These can include maintenance and repair issues, such as the following: 

• Faulty or defective wiring
• Nonfunctional smoke detectors
• Insufficient fire extinguishers 

However, some of the most common causes of residential apartment fires are tenant mistakes or negligence:

• Cooking fires
• Candles left burning
• Cigarettes and other tobacco products
• Hair care accessories, such as straighteners, curlers, and blow-dryers 

Sometimes, tenants’ children may cause fires accidentally. No matter what started the fire, you have the option to pursue financial recovery to help you get your life back on track. 

Although it is rare, tenants sometimes experience fires as the result of arson. While criminal charges may follow an incident of arson, landlords are also responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent it.  

To protect their tenants against the possibility of arson, landlords should take the following steps: 

• Maintaining adequate security measures
• Taking threats of arson seriously
• Evicting tenants with a pattern of violent behavior 

When a landlord has failed to take reasonable steps, they can be held accountable for any resulting damages and losses. Make sure to speak with one of the accomplished lawyers at Morgan and Morgan if you have experienced an apartment fire caused by arson. 

When a fire begins in one unit of a multifamily structure, it has a high likelihood of spreading. This means that tenants face the risk of experiencing harm from a fire through no fault of their own. 

Because this is a reasonable possibility, landlords are tasked with protecting their tenants from this outcome. So even if another tenant causes a fire in your apartment building, your landlord may be financially responsible. 

To discuss the specific facts of your case, you should consult with a skilled tort lawyer at the firm of Morgan and Morgan. We have successfully represented claimants all over the country over the course of more than 30 years. 

If your fire was the result of a landlord or tenant’s negligence, our team of legal professionals can help. Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to secure financial recovery to compensate for the emotional and economic losses you sustained.

When a fire occurs in a multifamily structure, it is critical for tenants to know what steps to take. The first priority in the case of a residential fire should be the health and safety of everyone involved.  

No matter how the fire started, getting everyone out safely is the most important factor. Landlords should also ensure that their tenants know what to do in case of a fire. Below are some of the most important steps in the event of an apartment building fire:

Do Not Panic

When a fire happens, it is stressful and frightening. However, it is vital to stay as calm as possible. 

Reacting in a panicky manner will often make the situation worse. If you see a fire in your home, try to breathe and keep your wits about you. When a fire is small enough, it may be contained or extinguished.

Do Not Attempt to Extinguish a Large Fire

Many people think they should try to put out any fire that occurs in their home using water. Sometimes, this is not the best course of action.  

For instance, suppose that a fire is caused by grease when you are cooking. Grease fires grow in intensity and size when you put water on them.  

When possible, you should use a fire extinguisher to deal with any uncontrolled flames in your apartment. If a fire has become too large, you should not try to put it out. This can result in serious and life-altering burns and other injuries.

Leave Property Behind

Many people attempt to locate items that are important to them during a fire. For instance, they might try to find the following things before vacating their apartment: 

• Family heirlooms
• Objects of sentimental value
• Phones
• Computers
• Tablets
• Important documents 

However, attempting to save any of your property can cost you precious time. All objects can be replaced, and nothing is more important than ensuring your own safety.

Contact Emergency Services

As soon as you are a safe distance from the fire and any potential smoke or gas leak, call 911. The operator will dispatch fire and medical responders to the scene.  

When calling in about the fire, do your best to remain calm and collected. This will allow the operator to collect your information quickly and respond to the situation. 

Contact a Knowledgeable Legal Professional

It is important to speak with a tort attorney in the aftermath of an apartment fire. The outcome of any resulting claim could be determined by whether you have skilled legal representation. 

You may be able to secure compensation through an insurance claim. However, insurance providers are often tightfisted and may attempt to undervalue the damage that you have experienced. 

Whether you have sustained a burn injury or only lost valuable property as the result of the fire, you deserve financial recovery. When you are wondering what happens if your apartment burns down, do not hesitate to reach out to the compassionate team at Morgan and Morgan. 

In the aftermath of a fire, it is crucial to file a claim with your renter’s insurance provider. Depending on the type of coverage you purchased, you should be able to recover either actual cash value or replacement cost value.  

Policies that provide you with actual cash value for your damaged property should pay you the amount your property was worth. To determine the value of your items, your provider will account for depreciation.  

Other policies provide fire victims with the replacement cost value of their property. This means that you should be able to receive the money it will take to replace what has been damaged. These policies do not typically account for the depreciation of your items and assets. 

No matter the type of policy you have, speak with an attorney to make sure you recover the full value of your claim. 

Insurance providers have a financial incentive to pay as little as possible on every claim. Do not let an adjuster undervalue your property or assets. Let the team at Morgan and Morgan negotiate effectively on your behalf.

After you have been injured or lost property in an apartment fire, you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. 

“Statute of limitations” is the term for a legal time limit on certain types of claims. Each state determines the statute of limitations on personal injury and property damage claims. For this reason, it is critical to consult with a tort lawyer who has a thorough knowledge of the statutes in your location. 

Fortunately, the accomplished team at Morgan and Morgan has been successfully representing accident and injury victims nationwide for decades. When you hire the compassionate lawyers at our firm, you can rest assured that you will have a capable representative fighting for you. 

When you hire the personal injury attorneys at Morgan and Morgan, you will not pay a dime until we secure financial compensation for you. 

Our attorneys are paid through a contingency fee model. This means that our legal team will receive a portion of the compensation we recover for your case. In other words, if we do not successfully settle or try your case, you pay nothing. 

You should never trust a tort attorney who requires you to pay fees upfront before concluding your case. At Morgan and Morgan, we will work diligently to secure justice in your apartment fire claim.

If you have been injured or lost valuable property through a fire that another person caused, you have legal options. Let the accomplished litigants at Morgan & Morgan take every action possible to recover financial compensation in your case. 

We know that apartment fire victims face a wide range of costs and losses. That is why we will arrange a free consultation to discuss your case when you complete the contact form on our website. Reach out to Morgan & Morgan today.