A fire at a Brooklyn building, which officials say was started by an e-bike battery, left a 30-year-old man critically injured. According to a report in the New York Daily News, FDNY officials said an e-bike battery started the two-alarm fire on Avenue M near Ocean Parkway in Midwood the morning of June 27. Three other victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The 30-year-old man in critical condition suffered extensive burns and smoke inhalation injuries and was recuperating at a burn unit in Staten Island.
The burning e-bike was sitting at the foot of the stairs leading to the two apartments when it exploded, officials said. Within seconds, it sparked a fire. More than 100 firefighters and EMS personnel were called to put out the fire and treat the injured. Two second-floor apartments, a drycleaners and spa were destroyed in the blaze.
Injuries, Deaths and Damage Caused by E-Bike Batteries
As of last week, lithium-ion batteries have caused 107 fires in the city that led to 46 injuries and one death. During the same time last year, e-bike and scooter batteries caused 114 fires with 78 injuries and 13 deaths. In March a Bronx fire that left 10 people injured and displaced 26 residents was sparked by a lithium-ion battery-powered e-bike stored under the stairs, FDNY officials said.
In February, a battery sparked fire in Harlem killed a Columbia Journalism School graduate and injured 17 others. Nationwide, charging lithium-ion batteries for devices like scooters and e-bikes sparked 330 fires from 2015 to 2018, causing more than $9 million in property damage, says a Consumer Product Safety Commission report released in 2020.
E-bike battery fires can lead to several types of injuries depending on the severity and circumstances of the incident. Direct exposure to flames or high temperatures can cause burns ranging from mild to severe, potentially requiring extensive medical treatment and skin grafts. Inhalation of toxic fumes from burning lithium-ion batteries can lead to respiratory issues and lung damage. Additionally, explosions or rapid releases of energy from overheated batteries can cause blunt force trauma, lacerations, or penetrating injuries from flying debris. Victims may also suffer from psychological trauma due to the sudden and potentially catastrophic nature of battery fires.
Laws and Liability Issues
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.
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 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://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/28/brooklyn-fire-that-left-man-clinging-to-life-started-by-e-bike-battery-fdny/