Who Is to Blame for Rental Apartment and Rental House Fires?

It’s understandable if you’re feeling overwhelmed after a fire at your residence. Not only has your home been damaged and your day-to-day routine disrupted — you might have also suffered significant burn injuries. These ailments may take weeks, months, or even years to recover from. They might keep you out of work and away from activities you love. You might be wondering how you’ll pay your medical bills or if life will ever feel the same again.

The fact is, although you don’t own your rental unit, you still have the right to live in a safe home. Unfortunately, some property owners take shortcuts in an effort to maximize their profits. Their negligence puts you and every other tenant at risk. If your landlord’s negligence contributed to a fire, you may be able to recover compensation with the help of a Morgan & Morgan attorney.

Who Is at Fault?

Oftentimes, rental apartment and rental house fires are the result of negligence on the part of either a landlord or a third party.

Your landlord may be at fault if:

• Smoke detectors were not working or were not installed to begin with.
• Sprinklers, extinguishers, and other fire prevention equipment were not adequately maintained.
• The building wasn’t built to comply with fire codes.
• Electrical wiring, appliances, gas lines, and other potential hazards were defective or damaged.

A third party may be at fault in certain scenarios:

• A manufacturer may be liable for producing a defective fire alarm, sprinkler, or smoke detector.
• A propane company may be legally responsible for a tank explosion.
• A contractor may be at fault for poor construction of the apartment.
• An electrical company may be liable if an electrical problem caused the fire.

What Are Your Rights as a Tenant?

As a tenant, you have legal rights that your landlord is required to meet, including:

• Repairs must be made in a timely fashion.
• Property owners must communicate safety issues to residents and respond promptly to valid complaints.
• The building should be inspected regularly.
• You should receive advance written notice for nonemergency inspection.

If your landlord fails to uphold these requirements and their negligence contributes to or causes a fire, they can be held legally responsible for the resulting damages.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords and insurance adjusters will often do all they can to minimize payouts to victims of rental apartment and rental house fires. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury or property damage in a residential fire, it’s critical that you contact a burn injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident. A Morgan & Morgan attorney may be able to help you hold the negligent party accountable for their actions.

Contact Morgan & Morgan

At Morgan & Morgan, our highly skilled attorneys fight on behalf of the victims of negligent landlords. Don’t pursue this complicated process alone: Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so it’s free to get started, and we get paid only if you win.