Who Is Responsible If Your Apartment Catches Fire?

A fire accident in a home is devastating for anyone who goes through it. When you live in an apartment building that catches on fire, you may wonder who is responsible for the damage to your possessions and for any injuries you may suffer. Here is what you need to know:

What Are Your Rights?

If you are injured in a fire in your apartment complex, you will likely have significant medical bills to pay. When it comes to your rights, you may wonder who is going to pay for your medical expenses. The cause of the fire will indicate who is responsible. Though landlords do have a duty to ensure you have a safe living environment, the result of your claim will depend on whether or not the landlord acted negligently.

How Can You Hold a Landlord Liable for Injuries in a Fire?

If you want to hold your landlord responsible for your injuries in an apartment fire, you have to prove the landlord was negligent. The first step is to show the landlord is acting legally in his or her duties to protect the tenants. Secondly, you have to show proof the landlord did not take appropriate action to prevent a fire from breaking out. This includes taking care of any hazards that may cause a fire, such as wiring problems, proper heating system maintenance, and so on. If a landlord is knowledgeable of any issues and you can prove it, you have a strong case for your personal injuries.

How Can You Prove Negligence?

To show the landlord is responsible and negligent, you have to find a way to prove he or she did something wrong. For instance, if you or another tenant told the landlord about exposed wires in the building and you have an email or a text that proves the landlord knew about the problem, this serves as a good piece of evidence. You will also need a copy of the fire inspector's report that connects the issue with the wiring, for example, to the cause of the fire. The proof should show that the inaction of the landlord correlates with the start of the fire. If you can connect all the dots, you have a solid chance at winning your personal injury lawsuit.

If you have been injured in an apartment fire and you believe your landlord may be responsible, be sure to speak to your attorney right away. Law services like Shapiro Law Group can help you begin the evidence-gathering process.  

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