Six members of a family were hospitalized including one in critical condition after a massive fire broke out in their Flushing home. According to the New York Daily News, two police officers were also injured as they tried to enter the home to rescue the occupants. The Daily News reports that the fire started on the second floor of the home on 73rd Avenue near 166th Street. The home is one of a group of attached two-story dwellings.
Ongoing Fire Investigation
Police officers attempted to force open the door to the home, but they inhaled heavy smoke, which inhibited their rescue effort. A family of six was hospitalized. Firefighters helped pull six people from the apartment including a 50-year-old man who had suffered severe burn injuries and three children – a 10-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl.
Two women, ages 46 and 22, were also rescued from the home. The father, who was badly burned, was transported to a hospital. His wife and children suffered smoke inhalation injuries and were also taken to a hospital for treatment. Two police officers were transported to a Long Island hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation injuries. FDNY fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.
Why Smoke Detectors are Crucial
New York City laws require building 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.
Smoke alarms are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals and property in the event of a fire. These devices serve as early warning systems, detecting smoke and alerting occupants to potential danger before the fire escalates. Rapid notification is vital for timely evacuation, providing people with the opportunity to escape harm and reducing the risk of injuries or fatalities.
By promptly sounding an alarm, these devices offer a critical layer of protection, allowing for a quicker response to extinguish the fire or seek assistance. Smoke alarms are crucial for minimizing property damage, as early detection enables firefighting efforts to be started sooner. Regular maintenance and testing of smoke alarms are essential to ensure their reliability.
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.
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/or 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.nydailynews.com/2024/01/13/queens-dad-suffers-critical-injuries-as-blaze-rips-through-family-home-fdny/