What Causes a Fire Accident?

A fire accident is a horrific event that can cause serious injuries to anyone it affects. There are many ways that fire accidents can occur in the workplace and at home, but one of the most common causes is negligence.

If someone else is to blame for your fire accident, the attorneys at Herrman & Herrman can help you recover the compensation you need to pay for your medical treatment and other damages.

Many residential fires are caused by defective or outdated appliances and equipment. This includes household appliances like stoves and ovens, kitchen cooking apparatuses, heaters, central heating and air conditioning, computer or electronic devices, torches, burners, welding equipment and more. Additionally, faulty electrical wiring can be to blame for many fires at homes and apartment buildings.

Workplace fires can be caused by similar factors, and they can have devastating consequences for businesses. In addition to resulting in loss of life, property damage and financial losses, workplace fires can damage a business’s reputation, which may lead to a decrease in revenue.

Inhalation of toxic smoke and fumes can be extremely dangerous to workers and their families, as these can cause a variety of physical health problems including severe respiratory issues, lung damage, nerve damage and even permanent disabilities. Burn injuries are also common in many workplace fire accidents and can require extensive physical therapy, surgery and skin grafts, as well as long-term rehabilitation.

Fire accidents can be incredibly destructive, especially when it involves large or commercial structures such as office buildings, hotels, shopping malls and other multi-story structures. These types of fires can spread quickly, consuming a large area of the building in a short period of time. As a result, firefighters and other emergency responders are often forced to break windows or cut holes in the roof of the structure in order to stop the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further. This can cause additional structural damage to the structure, which can be quite costly for property owners to repair.

Those who have survived a fire accident should make sure to get plenty of rest, and they should take care of any wounds immediately. Minor burns can be treated using personal first aid techniques, while more severe burns should be treated at an emergency room or urgent care center. Additionally, those who have been displaced as a result of a fire accident should seek assistance from disaster relief agencies to find temporary housing.

In cases where a fire accident has resulted in the death of a loved one, survivors or their family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. This type of lawsuit seeks compensation for the victim’s loss of life, lost income and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. In some rare circumstances, victims of a fire accident can be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the defendant for their gross or willful negligence.