Steps To Take After a Fire or Explosion
When the fire or explosion event is over, you are likely to feel overwhelmed and confused, wondering how the explosions or fire could have happened, how it could have been prevented and how you will go on from here. What should you do first? You or a loved one on behalf of the fire or explosion victim should do the following:
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Seek immediate medical attention: If you or anyone else were present on the property during the gas fire, boiler explosion, or any other fire or explosion event, you should start by seeking medical attention, even if you are not sure it is needed. In addition to the more obvious injuries, such as burns, a person in the vicinity of a fire may become a victim of the smoke inhalation, gas and chemicals that are common secondary results of fires and explosions. Only trained medical professionals can properly evaluate whether you have been exposed to a chemical or gas agent that may have silently harmed you. Smoke inhalation can cause lung damage, which may not appear for a day or two following the exposure. Because chest x-rays taken immediately following a fire will not necessarily reveal your true injuries, you should schedule a medical examination after the fire or explosion if you begin sensing respiratory or other chest or lung problems.
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Contact the fire authorities: The fire department in your city or community will likely conduct an objective investigation and determine the suspected cause of the fire or explosion. This step should be taken without delay so that the fire can be investigated while the evidence of the fire or explosion is still preserved.
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Contact your insurance company: If the fire or explosion happened on your property, call your insurance carrier before you begin the process of clean up or restoration after a fire or explosion. Time is of the essence when notifying the insurer because some insurance policies require prompt notification of any potential claim. The insurance company may also provide you with a list of firms that specialize in fire or explosion repair or remediation.
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If the fire happened in someone else's property, contact an attorney: Insurance companies responsible for paying your damages are your adversaries. They are not your friends. Anything you tell an insurance company can be held against you. If the incident occurred on someone else's property, you are generally not required to give the property owner's insurance company notification of the incident. You should hire a qualified fire and explosions lawyer promptly and have your attorney communicate with the insurance companies and ascertain the responsible parties.
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Take care of the basics: Your insurance may pay for a temporary place for you to stay after a fire or explosion leaves you homeless. If you need help securing necessary items such as food, clothing or medications, you can also contact your local Red Cross or Salvation Army for free or low-cost assistance.
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Do not enter the structure: Unless fire officials have told you it is safe, do not go back into a building where the fire or explosion accident occurred. There may be structural weaknesses, as well as gas leaks, lingering smoke or chemical contamination that may not be immediately apparent and could cause you further injury.
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Do not throw out damaged items: If possible, hold onto all fire or explosion-damaged property. If you must dispose of such property, do not do so until you have taken photos and made an inventory of the items. In order to be compensated, you will need to prove to the insurance company that the fire or explosion caused the damage you are alleging.
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Notify the police department: After a fire or explosion accident, request extra squad patrols in the neighborhood, to protect against vandals and trespassers. You may need to board up the structure to guard against such criminal activity on your property that forces you to leave your home or business unattended.
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Contact utilities: Let your utility companies know there has been a fire or explosion. Often, gas fires or explosions are caused by faulty gas lines or leaks. The local utility will need to turn off the utility to prevent further explosions or injuries.
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Begin saving receipts immediately: Keep track of all of your expenses related to the fire or explosion. Your insurance company will need receipts and a detailed log of your expenses. Even if you do not have insurance for fires and explosions, the receipts and log of expenses will help you to claim deductions on your taxes.
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Hire a contractor to rebuild: Hire a contractor that is licensed and has proven expertise in abating fire and/or explosion damage.
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Contact a reputable lawyer: It is critical to contact a fire and explosions attorney as soon as possible following the accident. Having a lawyer who understands how to handle fire and explosion cases may prove invaluable to your peace of mind and to your ultimate recovery. Your fire and explosions attorney will hire investigators and experts to examine the premises where the gas fire, boiler explosion or other fire or explosion event occurred, analyze the circumstances surrounding the fire or explosion and determine whether there may be other potential sources of compensation besides the insurance company.
Choosing the Right Fire and Explosions Lawyer
Choosing the right fire and explosions lawyer is critical to your claim. There may be several responsible parties with varying degrees of liability, and there may be other injured parties making claims against them. Complex, multi-party cases require a fire and explosions lawyer with the skills and resources to pursue all aspects of your case. A well-established and respected personal injury law firm will have the resources and funds necessary to hire competent fire and explosion case experts and conduct an effective investigation and analysis to bring about superior results.
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Other sources of compensation in fire and explosion cases. A reputable fire and explosions lawyer with a full understanding of the laws applicable to fire and explosion cases will assess all sources of compensation for your property loss and injury. While insurance may provide the main source of compensation, an experienced fire and explosions attorney can also determine whether there are other sources of recovery available in your explosion or fire damages case.
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Notification requirement in fire and explosion cases. While each case will vary, there is always a timeframe in which the insurance company must be notified of the incident. In fire or explosion cases involving an insurance policy, the policy itself may set that timeframe as 12 months from the date of the accident. Even if you or those injured or damaged in the fire or explosion have failed to timely notify or otherwise comply with an insurance companies' provisions under the policy, California law may provide some protections. An experienced fire and explosions attorney can help you assess your rights and determine your options.
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Resources to fund your fire and explosion case. Make sure your fire and explosions attorney has the resources and funding to hire the necessary experts, such as forensic economists, accident reconstructionists, fire and explosion experts, medical experts, vocational rehabilitators and life care planners. Some or all of these types of experts can help your fire and explosions attorney obtain a favorable result in your case.
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Fire and Explosion Statistics
Fires kill more people per year than all natural disasters combined. On average, more than 15,000 people are injured and over 3,000 people lose their lives each year due to fires and explosions. Residential fires are the leading cause of injury due to fire. They account for 81% of all fire deaths.
When a fire starts in a home or other similar structures, you can have as little as one minute to safely evacuate. 23% of fire injuries occur while people are attempting to escape fires. Sticking around to put out a fire or handle the aftermath of an explosion is not advisable. 39% of injuries from residential fires occur while the victims were trying to control the fire.
Who is Responsible for Damage Related to the Fire or Explosion?
It may be that the fire or explosion accident was caused by, for example, your own child playing with matches. In such a case, your insurance carrier may be your only source of compensation. However, sometimes others are responsible for your fire or explosion injuries and losses, and they may be required to compensate you for those damages.
The parties responsible for your fire and explosion injuries may include:
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The Landlord: In the majority of fires, fire detectors are either not present or are not working, and it may be the property owner's fault if fire detectors or fire alarms were not working when your fire broke out. 78% of fire deaths and 60% of fire injuries are caused by faulty or non-operational fire alarms. The landlord may also have failed to maintain equipment, which may have caused a boiler explosion.
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Adjacent landowners: Your neighbor's negligent actions may have caused your property to ignite or explode, by, for example, leaving an unattended barbeque start a fire that went out of control.
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Manufacturers, distributors and/or retailers of faulty products: Those who manufacture or sell defective products, such as electrical outlets or gas dryers and stoves, which cause a fire or explosion on your property may be responsible for your injuries and property losses.
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Contractors: A contractor may have improperly installed electrical wiring or appliances. Contractors working on your property may also misuse a blowtorch or combustible materials, such as paint thinner or gasoline, in a manner that causes an explosion or gas fire.
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Business owners: If you are at a business establishment, such as a restaurant, and a fire breaks out or an explosion occurs, the ability to exit the structure is crucial. If exits are not clearly marked or occupancy limits are not adhered to, injuries from burns, smoke inhalation and even panic-induced stampeding can occur. Business owners who do not follow the law to prevent such accidents during a fire or explosion event may be liable to you for damages.
How Can I Be Compensated for the Fire or Explosion?
The compensation an injured party is entitled to for your property losses and injuries due to fire or explosion will vary with each case, but may include:
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Medical Bills: Costs for medical care following a fire or explosion may include emergency transport, emergency room and hospital stays, doctor's visits, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, surgery and medical supplies.
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Pain and Suffering: The emotional trauma of living through an explosion or fire can be one of life's most devastating events, particularly if you have sustained permanent injuries, have lost a loved one or have lost many of your treasured personal belongings.
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Lifestyle Changes and Life Care Needs: Fire- and explosion-caused injuries can cause lifestyle changes, such as the need for a wheelchair. You might have sustained a permanent disfigurement, a brain injury causing cognitive impairment or other physical disabilities. You may need help for a few months, or forever, with performing normal daily activities, like driving to work or cleaning your home.
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Punitive Damages: While punitive damages are not available in every explosion or fire case, there are some notable exceptions, such as when a business owner's gross negligence in blocking two of three exits with inventory prevents patrons from exiting a burning building. A reputable and skilled attorney can help you determine whether punitive damages are available in your case.
Related Topics:
Fires and explosions may result from different causes. For more information, you may access the following related topics on our website:
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