Eight People Injured in Queens Building Fire

Eight people were injured in a fire in Jamaica, Queens, early morning on July 28. According to a report on Audacy.com, the three-alarm fire broke out at 168-20 Liberty Avenue. Fire officials said there were flames on both the first and second floors of the two-story building. The fire spread between the building’s four connected homes. Based on preliminary investigations, officials said the fire likely began in the rear of the home.

Eight people were injured in the fire, including two firefighters who suffered relatively minor injuries. Two of the other victims suffered severe burn injuries and were transported to different hospitals for treatment. However, the injuries were not considered life-threatening, officials said. One resident said there was a “lot of smoke damage.” The American Red Cross is helping displaced residents. The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected by this fire.

Burn Injuries in a Structural Fire

Burn injuries in structural fires are severe and can have life-altering consequences. In a fire, victims are exposed to high temperatures, flames, and toxic smoke, leading to burns of varying degrees. First-degree burns affect the outer layer of the skin, causing redness and pain. Second-degree burns extend into deeper layers, resulting in blisters and significant pain. Third-degree burns penetrate through all layers of the skin, potentially damaging underlying tissues and requiring surgical intervention.

In addition to burn injuries, inhalation injuries from smoke and toxic gases can damage the respiratory system, exacerbating the overall trauma. Immediate medical attention is crucial, focusing on pain management, wound care, and infection prevention. Long-term recovery often involves rehabilitation, including physical therapy and psychological support, to address both physical and emotional impacts.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In New York City, liability for a structural fire can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Generally, liability may fall on several parties:

• Property Owner/Manager: The owner/manager of the property where the fire originated may be liable if it can be proven that their negligence (carelessness) — such as failure to maintain electrical systems or fire hazards that directly contributed to the fire. Not equipping a property with working smoke detectors or fire alarms required under city laws to protect building occupants, may also make property owners/managers liable.
• Contractors or maintenance companies: If the fire resulted from faulty repairs, installation, or maintenance work performed by contractors or maintenance companies, they might bear liability.
• Manufacturers or suppliers: In cases where a fire was caused by a defective product (e.g., faulty wiring or appliances), the manufacturer or supplier of the product could be held liable under product liability laws.
• Third parties: Liability can extend to third parties whose actions or negligence (carelessness) contributed to the fire, such as those of adjacent property owners/managers or construction companies that were working nearby.

Determining liability in a structural fire typically involves thorough investigation by fire marshals, insurance adjusters, and possibly legal experts. New York City’s laws and building codes also play a significant role in assessing liability, as adherence to these regulations can impact the responsibility of various parties involved.

Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, 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

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 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 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

Source: https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/8-injured-by-3-alarm-fire-that-ravaged-queens-building