WHDH News Channel Seven reported on a residential fire that happened last Thursday evening, November 14th. The fire started at a Watertown house on Galen Street. Firefighters were working well into the night to extinguish the hot spots. According to the fire chief, the flames apparently started on the ground floor and then moved upstairs. At least two people were displaced due to the fire, and WHDH reports that everybody got out alive. There is no word on the cause of the fire or the extent of property damage and injuries involved. This fire is still under investigation.
According to the Watertown Patch, there were multiple units inferring this was a rental property. In cases where a renter gets injured at home, the owner may be held liable for personal injury expenses. These include but are not limited to medical care, compensation for damages and lost wages if they neglected to keep the property well maintained. If another person caused the fire he or she could be held responsible for any damages.
Fire Prevention
In the article by the Watertown Patch, the house fire started on the ground floor. In most states a building must have at least two fire detectors on the ground floor in working order. That means the detectors must be functional and have fresh batteries. Wiring, gas lines, climate control systems and water heaters could all pose a fire hazard to homes, so they should be inspected regularly. If any of these regulations are not met, the owner could be held liable for negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.
A tenant would need to prove a landowner knew about a hazardous condition for a negligence claim to be upheld. As a renter, have your landlord or property manager sign a statement of acknowledgement when you present things that need to be fixed. Look into a renter’s insurance policy. As an owner, buy insurance to cover any damages incurred on the property. Don’t be shy about conducting inspections, since the condition of the property is the responsibility of the owner or manager.
The Cost of Burn Injuries
If a renter is injured in a residential blaze, and the property owner is found negligent, he or she can be held liable for damages. Burn injuries are often serious and may take a long time to heal. Surgeries, emergency care and rehabilitation are some of the medical costs involved with severe burn injuries. Victims may also suffer from respiratory problems associated with smoke inhalation. The cost of alternate housing including temporary lodging at hotels and possibly skilled care facilities, plus the costs associated with moving or replacing lost personal property may be included in a lawsuit or insurance claim as well.
If You Have Been Injured in a Fire
Victims of house fires may be facing financial, medical and personal hardships related to the damages inflicted from the fire. If you or a loved one has been injured in a house fire, contact an experienced Boston personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can get the ball rolling on the case, and attain official reports from investigators. In some cases, it may be necessary to have a fire investigative expert on the scene swiftly to try to determine the cause of the fire. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Altman & Altman, LLP for a free consultation.