Firefighters crawled through heavy smoke and flames inside the structure to get to both victims and pull them out. One of the victims, a man in his 50s, lost consciousness. One person who saw the rescue effort told AMNY that firefighters were doing chest compressions on the man who was covered in soot.
Emergency medical personnel rushed the man to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. His identity has not been released yet. The other injured victim was hospitalized in critical condition, the report said. The cause of this fire is still under investigation. We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased victim. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim and we wish them the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Burn injuries and smoke inhalation injuries are significant health concerns often resulting from fires, explosions, or prolonged exposure to heat or toxic fumes. Burn injuries are categorized based on severity: first-degree burns damage only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis); second-degree burns affect deeper skin layers; and third-degree burns extend to underlying tissues. These injuries can lead to pain, scarring, and infection, often requiring medical interventions such as wound care, skin grafts or surgery.
Smoke inhalation injuries occur when individuals breathe in harmful gases, particles or chemicals during a fire. These injuries can damage the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or even respiratory failure. Toxic substances, such as carbon monoxide can further exacerbate the condition causing hypoxia, a condition where the body’s tissues do not receive enough oxygen.
Prompt medical attention is critical for both burn and smoke inhalation injuries. Treatment for burns includes cooling the burn, managing pain and preventing infection, while smoke inhalation injuries may require oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, or mechanical ventilation. Both injuries can have long-term effects, including psychological trauma and physical disability.
In New York, property owners/managers have specific legal responsibilities regarding the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors to ensure tenant safety. According to New York City law, property owners/managers must install at least one operational smoke detector in each apartment or dwelling unit. The smoke alarms must be located near each sleeping area and on each level of the building, including basements, and the alarms must meet standards set by FDNY.
In addition to installing the detectors, property owners/managers are responsible for replacing any smoke detectors that become defective. The law requires that these smoke detectors be equipped with a non-removable, non-replaceable battery that lasts at least 10 years.
Property owners/managers are also required to provide written instructions on how to properly maintain the detectors and what to do in case of malfunction. Failure to comply with smoke detector regulations can result in fines for property owners/managers. Ensuring that smoke detectors are installed and maintained is a critical part of a building owner’s/manager’s responsibility to promote fire safety in rental properties.
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 fire accident 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://www.amny.com/news/brooklyn-fire-man-dead-12172024/