What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Fire Accident

A fire accident can destroy anything in its path. It can also cause serious injuries that may lead to long-term disability and high medical bills over the course of a lifetime. If someone is injured or killed by a fire accident, the victim or survivors might be entitled to compensation. Contact a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible to see what legal options might be available.

The most common causes of accidental fires are cooking and heating appliances, electrical problems, flammable materials, carelessness or arson. Many of these hazards are more common in homes and workplaces than in other types of buildings, due to the presence of more kitchen-related appliances, flammable material storage and careless handling or disposal of items.

Faulty wiring can lead to electrical fires, especially in older houses and offices with outdated electric systems. Cooking equipment is another source of fires, and the more flammable the food being cooked, the greater the risk. Careless workers may leave a toaster oven or iron on, or they might forget to empty trash regularly. Arson is another serious problem and it can cause fires that are very difficult to extinguish.

The injuries caused by fire accidents can be devastating and include varying degrees of burns, smoke inhalation, respiratory illness and, in some tragic cases, death. The emotional trauma of a fire can also be very damaging. People who are recovering from burns or suffering other physical or emotional injury should seek out support, whether through community programs, a counselor or a therapist. Those who have pets should take special care to ensure their animals are safe after a fire. They should also get veterinary attention for any animals that have been rescued from a burning building or are too burned to be returned home.

Workplace fires are often more serious than residential accidents because they have a greater potential to damage the business and affect more people. These accidents can also be more expensive and time-consuming to resolve, as they usually require expert testimony and thorough investigations.

If you’ve been injured in a fire accident, contact an experienced attorney at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your claim, gather evidence such as photographs and videos, police, fire department, safety inspection and medical reports, interview witnesses and hire experts to reconstruct the scene and testify about your damages. We will fight aggressively with insurance companies and opposition lawyers to obtain maximum compensation for your losses. A successful settlement will help cover current and future medical and rehabilitative costs as well as non-tangible losses such as pain and suffering. We will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions and help prevent similar incidents from happening to others. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our fire accident lawyers. We serve clients throughout the state of Arizona. We have offices in Tucson, Green Valley and Scottsdale. We can also meet you at your home or the scene of the accident.