Building Fires: Is the Owner Responsible?

In New York City if tenants were injured in a fire can they sue the building owner and hold them responsible to obtain compensation for their injuries? If it was arson, can they still hold the building owner responsible?

These questions are relevant today because of a recent fire in Queens in which people were burned and even died due to a deliberately set fire by an apparently deranged man.

Our office, Jaroslawicz & Jaros, has represented many people injured in fires where we brought lawsuits to obtain compensation for their injuries from their property owners. We were able to prove that the owners were liable because there were various violations in the building that contributed to the tenants being injured.

For example, if the fire detectors were never installed or were not working.

If the self-closing door devices were not working properly so that the fire spread.

The windows were sealed shut.

There were no fire escapes.

The door to the roof was locked.

Inoperable or broken door locks.

The fire started in the laundry room because the filters were not cleaned.

The fire started in the vents because the vents were not cleaned.

Unsafe or flammable material improperly stored.

Malfunctioning sprinkler systems

Faulty electrical wiring

The above examples are just of some of the causes of fires, missing alarms, blocked escape routes, or contributing to the fires spreading, all make it clear why people injured in a fire should consult with a New York City law firm that is familiar with and has experience with litigating fire injury cases. Experience does make a difference in these types of cases.

If your landlord’s negligence somehow caused or contributed the fire or your injuries, then you can collect compensation for these losses with a personal injury claim. Your right to collect compensation is based in premises liability law.

Out firm Jaroslawicz & Jaros has been in practice for over 40 years, and our attorneys have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for tenants who were victims of building fires. Our practice was not built on advertising on billboards, or radio and TV ads. If you read our hundreds of positive reviews you will see that we built our reputation by our results and by client satisfaction.

Contact Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC, to pursue full compensation for your injuries by calling 212 227 2780 or calling partner Abraham Jaros on his cell at 917 842 9544, or email him at ajaros@lawjaros.com.