What Are My Legal Options If I Was Injured in a Fire?

 Posted on January 24, 2022 in Personal Injury

From a young age, we are taught to “stop, drop, and roll” in the event of a fire. Unfortunately, fire safety education other safety measures do not prevent every fire from occurring.

Fires can cause horrible burns, lung damage from smoke inhalation, and other injuries. Individuals who survive a serious fire are often left with disfiguring scars and long-term health problems. If you or a loved one were hurt in a fire, you may be able to take legal action against the at-fault party. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Determining Who Is Liable for Fire

Fires can start for almost countless reasons. Sometimes the culprit is faulty wiring or incorrectly installed appliances. Commercial kitchens that are not properly cleaned can accumulate flammable grease that quickly ignites. Missing smoke detectors, broken fire escapes, or buildings that are not up to code can also cause or exacerbate fire-related injuries.

The party who is ultimately liable for a fire may be a landlord or apartment complex, commercial business, the party who designed, manufactured, or installed faulty appliances or equipment, contractor, property owner, or another party. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you figure out who is liable for your damages.

Bringing a Personal Injury Claim for Fire-Related Injuries

If another party’s negligence or wrongdoing caused a fire in which someone was hurt or killed, the at-fault party may be liable for damages. A personal injury claim is a method for holding that party accountable for the harm caused to others. A wrongful death claim is a claim brought on a deceased person’s behalf. However, injured people and surviving loved ones may only bring a claim within a certain window of time. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims and wrongful death claims is two years.

Financial Compensation for Medical Bills and More

Money can never completely compensate someone for a severe burn injury or the loss of a loved one. However, monetary damages in a fire-related personal injury claim may provide victims the financial resources they need to rebuild their lives after a severe injury or death in the family.

Damages may include compensation for:

• Emergency room care, skin grafts and other medical procedures, hospital care, medications, and counseling or other mental health care
• Lost income from missed work
• Reduced earning capacity
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost companionship and support
• Physical pain
• Mental and emotional suffering

Contact a Springfield Burn Injury Lawyer for Help

If you or a loved one were harmed in a fire, contact a Champaign personal injury attorney from Kanoski Bresney to explore all of your legal options. Call us today at 888-826-8682 to set up a free, confidential case assessment.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2059&ChapterID=57