14 People Injured in Queens Fire

A fire in Queens ripped through seven homes in Queens the afternoon of Aug. 3, injuring 14 people including 11 firefighters. According to a WABC news report, the fire broke out on 88-21 Francis Lewis Boulevard near Hillside Avenue and 89th Avenue in Queens Village. The FDNY called it a “dangerous fire” that was particularly difficult for firefighters to handle because of the hot weather.

Two Fires in Two Days

FDNY said the fire broke out in the rear of the home and rapidly burned through cars, garages and six more homes. Eleven firefighters and three others suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.

This is the second fire in two days in Queens. The following day, on Aug. 4, a 29-year-old woman and her 7-year-old daughter suffered critical injuries in a fire at a home on 37th Road between 68th and 69th streets in Woodside. Police said a third person was hospitalized in stable condition and another individual was treated at the scene. The cause of that fire is also under investigation.

Liability for Fire-Related Injuries

Building owners/managers are one of several parties that can be held liable for residential fires, primarily due to their legal obligations to maintain a safe living environment for tenants. Here are key factors explaining some of the scenarios in which building owners/managers can be held responsible:

• Negligence (Carelessness): Building owners/managers have a duty of care to ensure their properties are safe and free from hazards. If a fire occurs due to the building owner’s/manager’s negligence (carelessness), such as failing to repair faulty wiring, neglecting to maintain smoke detectors, or not addressing known fire hazards, they can be held liable for any resulting damages or injuries.
• Violation of building codes: Building owners/managers must comply with local building codes and safety regulations. These codes often include requirements for fire safety measures, such as installing and maintaining smoke detectors, providing fire extinguishers, and ensuring that fire exits are accessible. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in liability if a fire occurs.
• Breach of lease agreement: Lease agreements often include clauses that require building owners/managers to maintain the property and ensure it is safe for occupancy. If a building owner/manager breaches these terms by not addressing fire safety issues, tenants can pursue legal action for any harm suffered due to a fire.
• Common area maintenance: Building owners/managers are responsible for maintaining common areas in multi-unit buildings. If a fire starts in a common area due to poor maintenance or lack of safety measures, the building owner/manager can be held liable for damages.
• Provision of fire safety equipment: Building owners/managers are typically required to provide essential fire safety equipment, such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. Failure to provide or maintain this equipment can result in liability if a fire leads to injuries or property damage.

Other Potentially Liable Parties

In addition, several parties other than building owners/managers can be held liable for fire injuries, depending on the circumstances of the fire. For example, if a tenant’s negligence (carelessness) or intentional actions cause a fire, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages. If a fire is caused by defective products, such as faulty electrical appliances or flammable building materials, the manufacturers of these products can be held liable under product liability laws.

If contractors or maintenance workers perform faulty repairs or installations that lead to a fire, they can be held responsible for the resulting injuries and damages. If a fire is caused by a malfunction or negligence (carelessness) related to gas, electricity, or other utilities, the utility companies can be held liable.

Contacting an Experienced Lawyer

Whether you have been living as a tenant at a private apartment complex or in a public housing unit (NYCHA) (the Projects), please remember that you have legal rights. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of dangerous conditions, the experienced personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 53 years, our skilled attorneys have established a proven track record of assisting injured victims. One of our clients — a hot water burn victim — secured $750,000 in damages from the property owner and manager.

Our firm also obtained a $985,000 settlement out of a $1 million insurance policy for two people who suffered smoke inhalation injuries because the homeowner did not have smoke detectors installed and the $15,000 that was left on the insurance policy was for a person that we did not represent. Another of our clients recovered $2,500,000 due to a faulty space heater. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.

Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.

Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:

1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES

Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com

Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/queens-fire-flames-tear-home-queens-village/15141058/