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How to Seek Compensation for Injuries Caused by a Negligent Apartment Fire

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Fires can occur in any building, but an apartment landlord has the responsibility to make sure that the building is reasonably safe from fires. If you are injured as a result of an apartment fire, make sure to contact a law firm immediately. You might be entitled to compensation for your burn-related injuries.

Know If Your Landlord Was Negligent

Negligence refers to when a landlord behaves carelessly or fails to act when action is required. For example, a landlord is responsible for installing adequate and well-maintained fire safety systems. They might fail to keep fire extinguishers on the property. They might also fail to install smoke detectors and fire alarms or these devices might be defective. 

An overcrowded building can become a fire hazard. There might also be blocked fire exits that prevented you from escaping quickly. The building might even have violated building codes. 

Determine the Cause of the Fire

In many cases, fire is the result of faulty wiring. It's the landlord's responsibility to make sure that the apartment is properly maintained so it does not become a fire hazard and some buildings can even become explosion hazards if not maintained.

Faulty wires can cause fires because they are sometimes not installed properly. The wires might also be old and may have worn out and the wires might be exposed. Old wires might not be as safe because they are not properly grounded. The apartment might also have a pest problem that needs to be resolved and the property owner might fail to take care of it. 

Damages Caused by an Apartment Fire

To receive compensation, you will need to prove that you suffered damages as a result of the fire and that your damages were caused by the act of negligence. If you suffered from burns or smoke inhalation and had to spend time in the hospital, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. You will always want to seek medical treatment if you need it so you can fully recover and so there is an established connection between your health problems and the incident.

If your property is damaged, you may be entitled to compensation to replace your property. You may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering including mental anguish. If you need therapy or if you struggle with nightmares after the incident, bring this up with your accident attorney and they will help you seek compensation for your injuries.


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