A 66-year-old woman was killed and a Brooklyn resident was critically injured in two separate fires that occurred within an hour and a half of each other, police and fire officials said. According to a report in the New York Daily News, firefighters arrived at the intersection of West 140th Street near Malcolm X Boulevard early morning on Feb. 22 as a fire swept through a fourth-floor apartment in a seven-story apartment building. A 66-year-old woman was pulled from the apartment and rushed to a local hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries. No other injuries were reported in that fire.
An hour before that fire, late Friday night, a fire broke out on the third floor of a six-story apartment building on Hawthorne Street near Bedford Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, FDNY officials said. Five residents sustained non-life-threatening injuries while a sixth person was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Fire marshals are still trying to determine the cause of both these fires. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by these fires.
Responsibilities of Building Owners/Managers
Property owners/managers have significant responsibilities in preventing and responding to structural fires. They must ensure that their buildings comply with local fire codes, which include installing and maintaining smoke and fire alarms, sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. Regular inspections and maintenance of electrical wiring, heating systems and other fire hazards are essential to minimize fire risks.
Owners/managers of residential and commercial properties must also provide clear emergency exits and unobstructed escape routes. In rental properties, building owners/managers must educate tenants about fire safety procedures and ensure that smoke detectors are functional and appropriately placed. In the event of a fire, property owners/managers must cooperate with fire departments and emergency responders. They may be held liable if their negligence (carelessness) to fulfill their responsibilities contributed to the fire or injuries.
Other Parties Who Can Be Held Liable
Several parties other than building owners/managers can be held liable for a structural fire, depending on the cause and circumstances.
- Property Management Company: If a property manager fails to conduct necessary maintenance, inspections or enforce fire safety regulations, they could be liable for fire-related damages.
- Contractors and maintenance Company: Faulty electrical work, improper installation of heating systems or negligence (carelessness) in repairs by contractors or maintenance personnel can lead to liability.
- Manufacturers of defective products: If a fire starts due to a defective appliance, wiring or flammable materials, the manufacturer or distributor can be held responsible by filing a product liability lawsuit.
- Utility companies: Negligence (carelessness) in maintaining gas or electrical lines that lead to fires may hold utility providers accountable.
Fire-Related Injuries
Fires can cause a range of severe injuries, many of which have long-term physical and psychological effects. Burn injuries are the most common, which depending on severity, may require costly treatment such as skin graft procedures. Victims may also suffer from smoke inhalation, which can lead to respiratory issues, lung damage and even death due to carbon monoxide or toxic fume exposure.
Blast injuries may occur if the fire triggers explosions from gas leaks or chemical reactions, causing fractures, internal injuries or traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, the intense heat of a fire can result in heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Beyond physical harm, fire survivors often experience psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, especially if they have lost loved ones or have suffered scarring or disfigurement.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
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 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://www.yahoo.com/news/harlem-fire-kills-woman-66-215000284.html