Fires can cause devastating burn injuries, smoke inhalation, and even death. Fires in an apartment building or rental home could leave you asking: is my landlord responsible for the fire and my injuries? The answer to this question depends on who caused the accident and whether your landlord was responsible in some way. These complex questions require a thorough investigation by a qualified personal injury attorney.
At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, we understand what you are going through after a fire. We can help investigate the cause of the fire and whether your landlord is financially responsible for it. Schedule a consultation today so we can learn more about your unique case.
Fires and Landlord Negligence
Landlords may be liable for your injuries and property damage if their negligence caused the fire. Negligence occurs when a landlord fails to exercise reasonable care to protect their tenants or follow applicable safety laws. If this negligence causes a fire, the landlord may have legal liability for the harm and losses you suffered.
It is a landlord’s responsibility to ensure their apartment buildings, homes, and other residential properties are properly maintained. Landlords may also be responsible for fires at commercial rental properties if they fail to meet their obligations. Some of the most common issues that cause rental property fires include, but are not limited to:
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Damaged gas lines
- Lack of fire prevention measures, such as sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and more
- Blocked emergency exits
- Lack of or inoperable smoke alarms
- Lack of or inoperable carbon monoxide alarms
- Faulty outlets
- Defective furnaces or other heating appliances
- Defective stoves or other appliances
While each of these examples could cause a fire, it must be the landlord’s responsibility to manage the issue that caused the fire for them to be liable. For example, the landlord may be liable if they provided a defective stove that caused the fire. If the tenant provided the stove and caused the fire, the landlord may not be liable for the damages from the fire.
How To Determine if the Landlord Is Responsible
To determine if the landlord is responsible for your injuries, you should speak with a qualified Texas or Louisiana personal injury attorney. Your attorney has the skills and resources to determine whether the landlord is liable for your injuries and costs.
To make this determination, an experienced attorney can:
- Investigate the cause of the fire
- Determine whose negligence, if any, caused the fire
- Learn what actions the landlord took or failed to take that led to the fire
- Determine whether other parties may be at fault for the fire instead
- Learn what safety protocols were in place to prevent fires or help extinguish them
- Investigate whether the landlord violated safety regulations
- Collect evidence, speak to witnesses, and gather information
Other Responsible Parties
Parties other than or in addition to your landlord may also be responsible. For example, it could be another tenant’s fault that the fire happened. In that case, you may be able to file a claim against them or their insurance company.
Defective products, such as a heater or stove, cause many fires. A product liability lawsuit lets you file a claim against the manufacturer of a defective product and seek compensation for your damages. A skilled premises liability attorney can investigate what caused the fire and which party should be held responsible.
Compensation in Rental Property Fire Cases
If your landlord or another party was responsible for the fire, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. This compensation may include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Costs of rehabilitation and ongoing burn treatment
- Property damages
- Loss of income or future earning capacity
- Loss of companionship and support
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Wrongful death damages
These and other types of compensation can help you recover physically and financially after a fire.
Determine Whether Your Landlord Was Responsible for the Fire
Dealing with the aftermath of a fire in your rental property is difficult and stressful. You are likely dealing with serious physical injuries, the loss of your property, and the loss of your home. Negligent landlords should be financially responsible for their actions and the harm they have caused.
At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our experienced personal injury attorneys can investigate your case and determine whether the landlord is responsible for the fire. Contact us today for an initial consultation of your case.
