Ashiq Hussain, a 53-year-old man, died from injuries he suffered after falling off a ladder during an attempted fire rescue, FDNY officials said. According to a WABC news report, the fire broke out the morning of May 19. Officials said Hussain tried to escape from his third-floor apartment after an electrical fire broke out in a 9th Avenue deli below. Firefighters extended a ladder up to a waiting Hussain. However, as he placed his feet onto the ladder, the top half suddenly retracted. Hussain plunged to the pavement below striking his head and suffering severe head trauma. He died later at a local hospital.
FDNY officials are now investigating Hussain’s fall, and are looking into whether a ladder malfunction or other factors contributed to the accident. The ladder involved in this incident has been pulled from service, officials said. We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Ashiq Hussain for their tragic loss. The investigation into this fatal incident is ongoing.
Liability Issues in a Fire
Property owners and property managers have the responsibility to install and maintain fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems as required by local fire codes. New York City law mandates that property owners/managers install and maintain smoke detectors. This law aims to ensure the safety of residents by providing early warning of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Specifically, property owners and property managers in Class A Multiple Dwellings must ensure smoke detectors are installed within 15 feet of the entrance to each sleeping room and in basements. 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.
Property owners and property managers should address potential fire risks, such as faulty appliances, gas leaks, overloaded circuits or improperly stored flammable materials. They must also ensure rental properties are safe, conduct regular inspections and respond promptly to fire hazard complaints. If a property owner or manager fails to uphold fire safety responsibilities and negligence (carelessness) leads to a fire, they may be held liable for damages.
Homes equipped with functioning smoke alarms significantly reduce the risk of fire-related fatalities. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that the death rate is more than twice as high in homes without working smoke alarms. Regular maintenance and replacing units every 10 years, ensures continued protection. Installing smoke detectors in key areas such as bedrooms, hallways, and kitchens can make the difference between life and death in many instances.
In addition, other parties may also be held liable in the case of fire-related injuries or fatalities. In some cases, negligent (careless) parties may involve city agencies whose failure to maintain safety or rescue apparatus could hold them liable. If an injury or fatality is caused by a defective product, the product manufacturer can also be held liable. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to analyze all aspects of the incident and help victims and/or their families secure maximum compensation for their losses.
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
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/fdny-investigating-pakistani-immigrants-fatal-fall-during-sunset-park-brooklyn-fire-rescue/16507025/