State lawmakers are pushing forward legislation that is meant to strengthen fire
safety laws across New York. According to Spectrum News, the measures include proposals that would require space heaters to have safety features such as thermostats and automatic shutoffs, and be tested by state agencies. Lawmakers are also pushing for a bill that would provide a tax credit for the installation of fire sprinkler systems.
Yet another proposed bill would create a private right of action for tenants who allege that building owners have not properly kept and maintained self-closing fire-safety doors. Earlier this week, these bills cleared the Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee. The measures follow a deadly fire in the Bronx earlier this year that killed 17 people and after a firefighter was killed in Canarsie.
Deadly Bronx Fire
As New York personal injury attorneys, we believe these laws will be crucial in terms of protecting the lives of New York City residents many of whom live in high-rise apartment buildings. This year, the city saw one of the deadliest fires in its history when 17 people died Jan. 9 in a Bronx apartment building. Eight children were among the casualties. The fire was triggered by a defective or malfunctioning space heater.
Almost all of the victims in this tragic incident died due to smoke inhalation injuries. Investigators said safety doors that failed to close caused thick smoke to swirl through the building. Officials said the apartment’s front door and a door on the 15th floor should have been self-closing to stop the spread of smoke. Instead, the doors malfunctioned and remained fully open.
The heavy smoke caused severe smoke inhalation injuries, blocking some residents from escaping and incapacitating others as they attempted to get out. Experts say a closed door is crucial to contain fire and smoke, particularly in buildings such as this one that did not have automatic sprinkler systems.
Also, in the case of the Bronx fire, the open door may have played a critical role in allowing the fire to spread and the smoke and heat to spread vertically through the building. Large new apartment buildings are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain the smoke. These critical safety systems, no doubt, can save lives and prevent serious injuries caused by smoke inhalation and burns.
Property Owners’ Responsibilities
New York City laws require property owners and/or property managers to provide, install and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in each unit. The devices should also be maintained and remain in good working order. When a fire is caused by negligence (carelessness) or a lack of property maintenance, the property owners and/or property managers may be held liable for the injuries and loss of life that occurs. Injured victims or families of deceased victims can file a premises liability claim against the responsible parties including, but not limited to, the property owner, property manager, maintenance/repair company, etc.
Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income and benefits, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation as well.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire or explosion, the experienced New York 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 50 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 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 client 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 and/or medical malpractice 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://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2022/04/28/after-deadly-blazes–lawmakers-seek-to-boost-fire-safety