Structure Fire Injuries & Death

Representing Victims of Structure Fires Nationwide

Each year, the United States sees over one million fires and explosions throughout the country, resulting in wrongful death, burn injuries, smoke inhalation injuries and property damage amounting to billions of dollars in losses.

If your life has been altered by a structure fire, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney about your claim. The law firm of Wisner Baum has experience representing families who have lost loved ones in building fires, as well as those who have sustained fire injuries.

Our firm has been retained by families affected by the 2016 Oakland Ghost Ship warehouse fire that killed 36 people, as well as a subsequent 2017 fire in West Oakland that killed four people and left over 100 people homeless. In our first fire disaster case, we represented many of the guests who were injured or killed in the 1986 Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Several disgruntled hotel maintenance workers started the fire in protest during a labor dispute. In all, 97 people died and 140 were injured. The hotel owners were cited for safety violations, including lack of emergency exits.

What is Involved in a Structure Fire Lawsuit?

Fire victims who have sustained serious personal injuries generally seek compensation for the following:

• Past and Present Medical Expenses
• Past and Future Lost Income
• Past and Future Pain and Suffering
• Disability and/or Disfigurement
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Emotional Distress

If a person loses a loved one, such as a family member or a spouse, the surviving family member(s) can file a wrongful death lawsuit for damages against the person and/or corporation responsible for the structure fire or explosion.

Get in touch with a fire accident lawyer today by contacting us online or by calling (855) 948-5098.

In a wrongful death lawsuit, depending on the state where the fire occurred, the claimant can sue for some or all of the following damages:

• Burial Expenses
• Medical Costs
• Loss of Past and Potential Earnings
• Loss of Comfort and Companionship
• Conscious Pre-death Pain and Suffering
• Punitive Damages (monetary penalty deemed necessary to punish and deter a defendant from committing the same or similar conduct)

By retaining us to handle your fire accident case, our firm will conduct a thorough, independent investigation of the circumstances which led to the disaster. During this process, our team will ensure you receive all necessary treatment, gather and preserve evidence to build your case, hire experts, determine liability, demand compensation, file a lawsuit, if the “demand” is not met, and finally, settle your case with your approval or go to trial.

Types of Fire Injuries

The severity of burn injuries is expressed through degrees. Each degree classifies the level of tissue damage in a given area—the higher the degree, the worse the burn.

Most people believe there are three burn degrees, which is a misconception. In fact, there are six burn degrees; we just don’t often hear about fourth degree burns because they carry only a slight chance of survival. Fifth and sixth degree burns are always fatal.

First Degree Burn

First degree burns cause the least skin damage and are recognizable by redness of skin, pain, minor inflammation, swelling, or dry, peeling skin. They are often referred to as “superficial burns” because they only affect the skin’s outermost layer. First degree burns are most commonly sustained due to prolonged sun exposure or contact with hot water.

Second Degree Burn

Second degree burns are more severe as they affect a deeper layer of the skin. They are recognizable by blisters and redness on the burnt skin, and hurt significantly more than first degree burns. Most second degree burns happen as a result of limited contact with flames, boiling liquids, or chemicals. Second degree burns are prone to infection and affected areas can leave severe scarring.

Third Degree Burn

Third degree burns are the most severe in the sub-lethal category, as they destroy all three layers of the skin and require hospitalization. They can also involve muscle, tendon and ligament tissue. Third degree burns are recognized by charring and catastrophic damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. In cases where subcutaneous tissue is completely burned, the burn injury victim can develop compartment syndrome, a life-threatening condition caused by pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues.

Typical causes of third degree burns include fire breakout, contact with aggressive chemicals, or suffering an electric shock.

Fourth Degree Burn

These burns cause damage that reaches beyond the skin and can affect internal organs. Most fourth degree burns are caused by a fire breakout or severe electric shock. The fatality rate among victims with fourth degree burns is high. Those who survive always lose skin and other tissue and require a skin grafting procedure.

Fifth Degree Burn

Fifth degree burns affect all soft tissue and all organs in the affected region. They can also damage the bone to some extent. The chances of surviving fifth degree burns is virtually zero. Those who have survived have required amputation.

Sixth Degree Burn

Sixth degree burns are not survivable. Damage from a sixth degree burn are often so extensive that bones can be badly damaged or even charred.

Smoke Inhalation

Contrary to popular belief, smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in fires. Inhaling smoke can result in thermal injury to the upper airway, irritation or chemical injury to the airways, asphyxiation, and/or carbon monoxide toxicity.

Smoke inhalation can also result in burns to the lungs, windpipe and throat. It can also cause respiratory failure and oxygen deprivation, which can lead to brain damage and/or cardiac issues, which is why inhaling smoke while trying to escape a structure fire can be fatal.

Call (855) 948-5098 to learn about your legal options.