An apartment complex fire can be a destructive force. A neighbor’s negligence or a landlord’s failure to provide a safe environment, can cause you to lose your home, all of your belongings, or a loved one.
Landlords Are Held to Strict Safety Standards
All apartment complexes must meet state and local fire code ordinances and contain the minimal requirements for fire safety equipment. If required safety equipment is missing, not properly maintained or not functioning properly this could be attributed to the builder, landlord or owner of the apartment complex, and the local housing inspector from your city or town’s municipal office. If the apartment complex is owned by the housing authority in your area, they are responsible for fire safety just as a commercial landlord would be.
Several parties could be responsible for missing or broken fire escapes in apartment complexes that prevent people from exiting their apartment during a fire. Fire doors, which are installed to prevent or limit the spread of the fire, if missing or improperly installed can contribute to the quick spread of the fire throughout the building opening up more apartment units and people to injury.
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are required in each apartment unit. Missing smoke detectors or poorly maintained smoke detectors are the direct responsibility of the landlord.
Similarly, furnaces, boilers, and hot water heaters also have the ability to create an apartment complex fire. A failure by a landlord to address any of these safety standards discussed above will result in direct liability for any loss of life or property.
Apartment Complex Injuries are Painful
Apartment complex fire victims face years of recovery for burns and other respiratory injuries. If a family member dies during the blaze, the landlord or responsible party may be sued for wrongful death if the fire was caused by inadequate safety equipment or fire prevention protocols. Because homes contain flammable materials, like drapes, the apartment dweller may not have enough time to escape or get all members of the family out before the flames, heat and smoke from the fire take over.
Protecting Your Family and Belongings
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, arson is the leading cause of death, injuries, and fire losses in commercial properties like an apartment building, co-op, or condo buildings. Residential sprinklers have become cost effective and many new buildings come equipped with automatic sprinkler systems to help put out fires once they start in the home. A landlord could be responsible for injuries caused by an arson fire if they failed to meet the fire code by improperly installing or maintaining, fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire escapes, fire extinguishers.
Injured by an Apartment Complex Fire in Massachusetts?
Experienced Boston Area Personal Injury Attorneys – Initial Consultations Are Always Free – No Fee Unless We Recover For You
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an apartment complex fire, then call the apartment complex fire lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today. We have a proven track record with over 35 years of legal experience. Our apartment fire personal injury attorneys have successfully represented victims of fires for decades and we are ready to take on your case today.
No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away. Call our law offices today to schedule a free no-obligation case review and consultation at (508) 588-0422 or click the link below to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.
Our personal injury lawyers assist accident victims throughout all of Massachusetts, including but not limited to Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Holbrook, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Lakeville, Norton; Cape Cod, Hyannis, Falmouth, Barnstable, Worcester, Springfield, Holyoke, and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, Revere, Dorchester, Roxbury.
