What Is a Fire Accident?
A fire accident is any event that causes a building or a vehicle to catch fire and often result in a severe injury. The fire is caused by a combination of factors including combustible materials, faulty equipment or electrical issues. The fire can also spread to other areas of the building or vehicle and cause further damage. The injuries that result from a fire accident can be devastating and leave victims facing long-term complications, high medical costs and disfiguring scars.
A number of different types of injuries are associated with fire accidents and burn injuries are among the most common. Victims may suffer from extreme pain, loss of limbs and even death as a result of the fire. Often, burn victims will require expensive long-term physical therapy and several cosmetic surgeries to restore some degree of normalcy to their appearance. Injuries due to smoke inhalation can also be severe.
While it is impossible to completely prevent fire accidents, there are many ways that people can reduce the risk of these types of events occurring. In addition to making sure that combustible materials are properly stored and that faulty machinery is reported, people can take a number of other measures to help ensure their safety.
Many fire accidents occur in the workplace due to human error. From using equipment incorrectly to leaving cooking food unattended, it is all too easy for employees to make mistakes that can result in an accident and fire. Especially in older buildings, wiring problems can also be to blame for accidental fires that occur at work.
Other common sources of fires include smoking, which is responsible for 23% of workplace deaths, as well as children playing with matches and lighters. Children have an innate curiosity and a tendency to explore and experiment, which puts them at a high risk of causing fires in their homes. Parents are often warned to keep these items out of their children’s reach and to never allow them to play with matches or lighters.
In industrial settings, faulty machinery and improper training can be at fault for some accidents that involve fire. Whether it is heavy machinery that malfunctions or paper or wood products that get caught up in the machinery, these hazards are usually very serious and result in catastrophic injuries.
Regardless of the cause of the fire, it is important to contact personal injury attorneys experienced in handling these cases as soon as possible. These lawyers will be able to assess the damage and identify the party or parties that should be held accountable for any injuries that result.
Once it is safe to do so, you should begin taking pictures of your damaged property. This will help you determine what has been lost and provide a record of your losses to the insurance company. You should also save any receipts that you have as proof of your losses. This will be helpful in proving your claim and will also help you document the amount of money that you have spent on replacing your property.