At least one person has been injured after a major fire broke out in a deli in the Bronx and spread to nearly a half-dozen businesses in the area. According to a USA Today news report, the five-alarm blaze started early morning on Dec. 13 at the Bunny deli on West 231st Street in the Knightsbridge neighborhood, which is a main corridor for many Mexican and Dominican businesses in the area.
The five businesses were completely gutted in the fire, officials said. No other injuries were reported. This neighborhood is just about 2 miles from a Bronx building that collapsed on Dec. 11 in the Morris Heights neighborhood. No one was injured in the collapse of the seven-story apartment building, but more than 140 people were displaced. Also, last week, one person was killed and nine others were injured in a Bronx high-rise fire blamed on an e-bike battery. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by these terrible incidents.
Smoke inhalation injuries can cause serious damage to a victim’s airway and lungs in a matter of a few minutes. When an individual inhales smoke, it can also reduce the amount of oxygen available to the body. While not often visible like burn injuries, smoke inhalation injuries can be fatal. Some of the common symptoms of smoke inhalation include chest pain, cough, confusion or fainting, headache, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and changes in skin color.
Fire accident victims with heart conditions/problems or types of heart disease are particularly at risk due to smoke inhalation. In these types of cases, as the lungs fill with smoke it loses its ability to function, leading to an increased strain on the heart.
Even healthy people develop heart-related complications from smoke inhalation and the lack of oxygen in the lungs.
New York City laws require property owners and/or property managers to maintain spaces that are safe for tenants, visitors and guests. Property owners are required 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 or accident at a building is caused by negligence (carelessness) or a lack of proper 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 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.
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 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.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/12/13/bronx-deli-fire-new-york-city-kingsbridge/71903183007/