A 41-year-old home health aide was killed and a 77-year-old woman was critically injured in a fire that broke out in a high-rise building on the Upper West Side the morning of March 13. According to an ABC7 New York news report, the fire broke out during the early morning hours in an apartment on the 14th floor of the high-rise on 73rd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues.
Burn and Smoke Inhalation Injuries
A 41-year-old woman who is believed to have worked in the apartment as a home health aide, died at a hospital while the elderly woman was rushed to a burn unit in critical condition. Both women were found in the bathroom, possibly sheltering from the blaze. Both had suffered burn injuries and smoke inhalation, officials said. They also said the fire appeared to be electrical and may have started with a kitchen appliance. The cause is still under investigation.
Another resident who spoke to the news outlet said she “didn’t hear a thing” until she saw the fire and emergency personnel show up. No other injuries were reported. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the deceased victim. We wish the injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Seriousness of These Injuries
Burn and smoke inhalation injuries are severe medical emergencies that can lead to life-threatening complications. Burns occur due to exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity or radiation, damaging the skin and underlying tissues. First-degree burns affect the outer layer of the skin, causing redness and pain. Second-degree burns penetrate deeper, leading to blistering and intense discomfort. Third-degree burns destroy all layers of the skin, often requiring skin grafts due to nerve damage and scarring. The most severe, fourth-degree burns, extend into muscles, tendons, and bones, often necessitating amputation or resulting in fatal outcomes. Immediate treatment, including cooling the burn, pain management and infection prevention, is crucial to minimizing damage.
Smoke inhalation injuries often accompany burns and can be just as deadly of not deadlier. When individuals inhale toxic smoke and gases during a fire, they risk carbon monoxide poisoning, chemical irritation and thermal injury to the respiratory tract. Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen levels in the blood leading to confusion, unconsciousness or death. Chemical toxins can cause airway inflammation, while hot smoke can burn the airway lining causing swelling and respiratory distress. Victims often require oxygen therapy, ventilatory support and intensive care to recover. Immediate medical attention is essential to prevent long-term complications such as lung damage, infections and chronic breathing difficulties.
Responsibilities of Property Owners/Managers
Property owners/managers have a legal duty to maintain safe premises and take reasonable steps to prevent fires. Their responsibilities include ensuring proper fire safety measures, maintaining the building and premises to code, and providing safe living or working conditions for tenants, employees, and visitors. They should address potential fire risks, such as faulty appliances, gas leaks, overloaded circuits or improperly stored flammable materials. They must also conduct regular inspections and respond promptly to fire hazard complaints.
Building owners and property managers must install and maintain fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems as required by local fire codes. Regular inspections and testing ensure that these devices function properly. Property owners/managers must follow fire safety regulations, including using fire-resistant materials, maintaining clear emergency exits and ensuring proper electrical wiring to prevent fire hazards. If a property owner or manager fails to uphold fire safety responsibilities and their negligence (carelessness) leads to a fire, they may be held liable for damages.
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.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/2-people-critical-high-rise-apartment-building-fire-upper-west-side-manhattan/16015984/