When a fire breaks out, the event can be terrifying, especially if a family member is severely injured in the fire. Fire injuries in Georgia may have many causes, including negligence in building or wiring a home, defective appliances or tools, or carelessness in attending things like fire places, barbecue grills, lit candles or hot stoves. These accidents can occur from faulty wiring, defective products, discarded cigarettes left on flammable materials, and smoke detectors that fail to activate. Fire injuries can also occur during a car accident where a car fire can trap victims inside a vehicle. A major concern for anyone involved in a fire accident is the damage smoke inhalation can cause to the lungs. If you’ve been the victim of a fire injury, you have rights. Property damages and medical costs resulting from fires can bankrupt you, even if you have insurance. If fire damage or injury in a fire is due to negligence of another party, you have the right to get financial compensation. An attorney can help you get justice.
According to the CDC, the majority of fire injuries and deaths in the United States occur in house fires – nearly 85%. However, while house fire victims often suffer burns, the most of serious injuries and deaths are the result of smoke inhalation and breathing toxic fumes created when household materials like carpet, upholstery, insulation, and plastics burn. The irony is that it is usually the fire resistant chemical treatment on these materials that make their fumes so toxic. This fire resistant chemical treatment is commonly used on children’s pajamas, bedding, and toys.
Statistics from the CDC reveal that only 1% of the injuries in the United States annually result from fire-related injuries, yet these injuries cost the victims and their families over $7.5 billion dollars each year. Medical care for fire injuries, particularly for lung injuries from inhaling toxic fumes or smoke or lengthy treatments in a specialized burn unit, accounts for the majority of the expense. In addition to the immediate medical care, breathing smoke and toxic chemical fumes deprive the brain of vital oxygen and can result in permanent brain damage. Inhalation injuries can result in the need for long term care because victims may lose their ability to speak, walk, or perform basic care for themselves like bathing or feeding themselves.
Virtually any cost associated with fire injury can be recovered with the help of an attorney. Some of the more common damages named in suits are:
The damage you seek will depend on your specific case and circumstances and each case is unique. If you have suffered a fire injury, you need the best legal representation on your side. A fire injury lawyer like Casey W. Stevens will help you determine who holds the liability from your case, and help protect your interests if you have suffered wrongful injury or death from a fire.
At Casey W. Stevens Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, we take all of our personal injury cases very seriously. We will do everything possible to investigate your case so that we have accurate and relevant information prepared to file a claim or lawsuit. From interviewing witnesses to compiling information from medical professionals, we have the resources and expertise to put together a strong case on your behalf. We will not charge you any fees until the case is resolved, so you can count on our experience and professional services until we arrive at a favorable outcome. Contact us today for a free case evaluation so that we can provide you with immediate assistance. We can meet with you in any of our 6 metro Atlanta offices, or if your situation prevents travel, we will gladly come to you in your home or hospital room.
Contact us for a free case evaluation TODAY! 770-408-6364