Few things are more terrifying than being trapped in a fire or explosion. Even if you survive the inferno, burns and smoke inhalation can leave you with lasting injuries that haunt you for life.
If you suffered serious injuries in a fire or explosion, you may be able to collect compensation for your damages. Learn how an experienced New York lawyer can help you below.
In a densely packed city such as New York, you’d expect fires to be commonplace, and you’d be right. In 2023, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to more than 23,900 structural fires and nearly 13,000 non-structural fires. Over 100 residents died in these fires, which is an 11% increase over 2022’s numbers.
Fires and explosions happen with alarming regularity in New York. Here’s a sampling of recent news headlines regarding such accidents:
Victims of fires and explosions are often left with severe and life-altering injuries. Serious burns are common, and burn treatment may involve painful skin grafts, long-term rehabilitation, and reconstructive surgery.
Fire and smoke inhalation can also cause vision and hearing problems, impaired breathing, lung damage, and other chronic disorders. Some victims suffer brain damage and partial or full paralysis.
It only takes a small spark to set off a fire or explosion that can maim or kill hundreds. Natural gas leaks and malfunctioning electrical systems are two common causes of fires, as are defective products and auto accidents.
Malfunctioning e-bikes are another major cause of concern for New Yorkers. The lithium-ion batteries that power these bikes can overheat and catch on fire. That’s what happened to one Harlem man in February 2024. His e-bike’s battery triggered an apartment fire that cost him his life.
After a fire or explosion accident, your damages can easily total six or seven figures. Hospital treatment is a big portion of those damages. Because burns can be so serious, you might need to stay in the hospital for weeks while you recover. You may require expensive surgeries and life-saving treatment in the ICU.
And those medical bills don’t stop after you leave the hospital. You might have to pay for follow-up care, medications, rehabilitation, and home modifications.
Fires and explosions can demolish a home in minutes. If you lost your home in a fire, you may have to pay for accommodations until you can find a new place to live.
The emotional toll of being in a fire-related accident can be equally as serious as your physical injuries. You may develop anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
A good fire accident lawyer will help you reach a fair settlement for your medical expenses, property damage, and all other damages.
Your options for compensation vary depending on the details of your accident. We’ll go over your potential remedies in detail below.
You can pursue a personal injury claim if someone caused a fire because of negligence. Here are some situations for which you could file a personal injury claim:
In some cases, you may be able to hold the property owner liable for your fire-related injuries. For example, if the property owner failed to install working sprinklers or blocked the fire exits, thus preventing your escape from the building, you could file a premises liability claim against them.
Could you have a valid claim if the accident happened in your home? Possibly. If you’re a renter, your landlord is responsible for implementing fire safety measures. You could home them liable in cases like these:
If you were hurt in a fire or explosion because of a defective product, you may be able to hold the manufacturer or seller liable. Under New York’s product liability laws, you don’t have to prove that the manufacturer acted negligently. Manufacturers are strictly (automatically) liable for injuries their products cause.
What if you suffered injuries in a fire or explosion at work? Can you still recover your damages?
Yes, to a degree. Workers’ compensation will cover your medical bills due to fire-related injuries and lost wages from being unable to work. However, it does not cover non-economic damages such as emotional distress.
Workers’ compensation prohibits you from suing your employer, but you are allowed to file a claim against a third party, such as an engineer, contractor, or property owner. Note that if you win your case, you might have to repay some or all of your workers’ compensation benefits.
Hiring a New York fire accident lawyer is a must if you want the fairest possible compensation. Your lawyer can:
If you’re ready to start the claim process for your fire or explosion accident injury, reach out to Dervishi Law Group, P.C. We can also assist with construction accidents, auto accidents, product liability, and other types of personal injury cases.
Call us at (718) 484-4757 now for a free case evaluation.
Have more questions about fire and explosion liability claims? Find the answers here.
Generally, you have three years from the date of your fire or explosion accident to file a claim. You can’t recover your damages if you do not file a claim by the deadline.
In 2022, the State of New York reported 0.8 deaths and 10.4 injuries per 1,000 fires. These numbers are lower than the national average of 2.1 deaths and 6.4 injuries per 1,000 fires. In 2023, 9% of fires in New York City were second-alarm fires or higher.
The damages you can recover depend on the specifics of your case. Examples include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. In some cases, the court may also award you punitive damages (the defendant purposely set a fire, for example).
Contact a fire accident lawyer today to learn about the damages for which you may be able to seek compensation.
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If you have been injured in a scaffold accident, you should retain a New York City Personal Injury Law Firm with experienced New York scaffold accident attorneys to represent you and help protect your rights. At Dervishi law group, P.C., we have our own investigative team and act quickly to gather and preserve evidence.
Call us at (718) 484-4757 or (917) 496-8342 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced scaffolding accident attorneys.
