How to Prepare for a Fire Accident

Fire accidents can be devastating for individuals and families, causing destruction of personal property and injuring or even killing those who suffer severe burn injuries. When these accidents are caused by another person’s carelessness or negligence, the injured parties may file tort claims for financial compensation. A successful lawsuit can provide a settlement to cover the costs of medical bills, rehabilitative therapy, lost income and other tangible and intangible losses. If a loved one died in a fire accident, survivors may also file wrongful death claims.

Fires can occur anywhere, in residential homes, in businesses and other commercial establishments, or in vehicles. These incidents can be caused by faulty wiring, defective products, smoking cigarettes left on combustible materials and other acts of carelessness and recklessness.

Injuries from fire accidents often include burns, smoke inhalation and other respiratory issues, as well as damage to lungs and other organs, psychological trauma and loss of quality of life. These types of injuries can be extremely expensive to treat and often require lengthy rehabilitation. Survivors may be unable to work, leaving them without an income and struggling to keep up with household and medical expenses.

When fires strike, first responders will concentrate their efforts on ensuring the safety of those who remain inside the home and removing people and pets from the structure. The fire will then be extinguished and firefighters will perform further inspections of the premises before it is safe to re-enter the home. The process of cleaning, repairing and restoring the property will be lengthy. In the meantime, residents may need to find temporary housing.

Before re-entering the home, it is important to check for dangers, including live electrical wires, structural damage or the risk of collapse. It is also a good idea to contact the insurance company and request a damage assessment estimate. While the insurer will only be able to give you an approximate value of your property, it is necessary to have this information to file an insurance claim.

Survivors should also take the time to conduct a thorough inventory of their lost belongings and obtain photos where possible. This will help them claim fair reimbursement from their insurers for the items that were destroyed in the fire. It is also a good idea to retain receipts for additional expenses incurred during this time, including hotel or motel rooms, food and other basic living expenses.

Finally, homeowners should consider speaking with their local disaster relief services about financial assistance programs that could assist them in the aftermath of a fire. These services can offer vouchers to assist with lodging and other expenses. They can also provide guidance on hiring contractors for repair and reconstruction of the damaged areas of the home. It is also a good idea to research and vet repair and restoration professionals before selecting one for these tasks. Taking the time to do this may prevent costly mistakes. This is particularly important for large losses and repairs, such as a rebuilt roof or new kitchen.