What to Do If You Are the Victim of a Fire Accident

A fire accident is one of the most devastating occurrences that can happen to people. It can lead to destruction of personal belongings, catastrophic burn injuries, life-altering scarring and disfigurement, ongoing pain and suffering, a lifetime of expensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, and even death. In addition, survivors are left with substantial losses that can include lost wages, ongoing medical and rehabilitative expenses, insurance claims, and household repairs. When someone else’s negligence or fault caused the fire, survivors may be entitled to receive a financial settlement that can help them rebuild their lives and move forward.

If a loved one was injured or died in a fire accident, it’s important to take immediate action to protect your legal rights and obtain fair compensation. It is also essential to contact a fire injury attorney as soon as possible to see whether or not you have grounds for a negligence lawsuit against the responsible party.

The most common cause of a fire accident is electrical malfunction or short circuits. These often happen due to poor maintenance or carelessness by users of equipment, and they can result in serious injuries if not addressed in time. Fire accidents can also be caused by gas leakage or improper storage of inflammable materials.

Regardless of the cause, any person whose property is damaged or destroyed by fire should contact their insurance agent or company immediately to initiate the claim process and discuss how they plan to rebuild and restore their home. If it’s safe to do so, the victim should visit their property to assess the damage and document the extent of the loss with photographs and videos. The insurance adjuster may then create an estimate of how much the repairs will cost and factor in deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Keep receipts of all additional expenses incurred after the fire and submit them to your insurance company as required by your policy. This includes lodging, food, and basic living expenses as well as boarding and care for pets if necessary. In some cases, your insurance company will provide for these expenses under their loss of use and personal property coverage.

It’s always best to stay out of fire-damaged buildings until local authorities say it is safe to return. This is because smoke, toxic fumes and debris from the aftermath of the fire can pose dangers. In addition, there may be live electricity, structural damage and the possibility of asbestos contamination that could be dangerous.

A successful lawsuit can help victims recover the money they need to cover medical and rehabilitative expenses as well as non-tangible costs such as pain, distress and emotional trauma. It can also help deter negligent parties from continuing to put others at risk of fire accidents. However, no amount of money can fully compensate the trauma that results from such a disastrous event. If you have questions about filing a fire injury lawsuit, speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.