Unfortunately, apartment complex tenants may suffer burn injuries due to landlord negligence. Apartment tenant burns are most likely to be sustained from a fire or a water burn injury. As tenants are entitled to safety and security while in their apartments, when a landlord fails to keep tenants and others reasonably safe, they may be held liable for any injuries resulting from an apartment complex burn.
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been burned while in an apartment complex. Contact the experienced team of attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm to evaluate your case. Call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to receive your free, no-obligation case review. Attorney Ali Awad, ‘the CEO Lawyer,’ established the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm and quickly turned it into one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. If we take your case, you won’t pay anything until we win.
Apartment Complex Burn Injury Causes
Many things may lead to an apartment tenant becoming burned that a property owner’s diligence may have prevented, such as:
- Burns from sinks, showers, or other water fixtures.
- Frayed or damaged wires leading to a fire
- Lack of smoke detectors/fire alarms
- Old or faulty appliances
- Blocked fire exits
- Overcrowding
- Heating equipment
- Building code violations
- Controlling apartment temperatures
Personal Injury Claims
If you or a loved one has sustained a burn injury that can be traced back to the negligence of your apartment complex landlord, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and funeral costs in the event of a wrongful death.
When Should You Talk to a Lawyer?
If you have been burned from either a fire or hot water exposure in an apartment, the first thing you should do is receive medical treatment. Next, you should speak with an experienced attorney to determine if you have a case. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to review the facts surrounding your unique case to determine whether or not your injuries were caused due to the negligence of another party. Burn accident injury victims may sustain severe injuries that can be permanent or require a substantial time to heal. If you suspect that your landlord may be negligent, it is essential to remember that other community members may be in danger. Speak with an attorney so that no one else may have to suffer what you have gone through. Your attorney will investigate the cause of the injury, determine who was at fault, calculate your damage, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Are Property Owners Obligated to Protect the Public?
Homeowners, landlords, and other building and property owners in Georgia are legally obligated to ensure that their properties are reasonably safe. Landlords are obligated to ensure that their building is up to code, does not have faulty wiring, is not overcrowded, has adequate fire safety devices, and does not have water fixtures that could burn their tenants. A landlord’s obligation may include:
- Installing and maintaining fire alarm systems
- Fire suppression systems
- Fire extinguishers
- Properly operating smoke detectors
Federal, state, and local levels of government have adopted the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 in the U.S. The NFPA 72 specifies “the application, installation, location, performance, inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems, fire warning equipment, and emergency warning equipment and their components.” Cities often adopt revisions of the code and make local fire codes specific to their governing authorities.
Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring is one of the most common causes of electrical fires. Several key warning signs can indicate a faulty wiring problem. Both landlords and tenants should keep an eye out for the following:
- Burning smells
- Charred or darkened outlets and switches
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Frequently blown breakers or fuses
- Hot ceiling fixtures or light switches
- Outlets that emit shocks
Overcrowding
Landlords and property owners have a duty to know who resides in an apartment. In addition, they need to ensure that the number of occupants living in an apartment complex does not exceed the building’s occupancy allowance. Overcrowding may lead to the following:
- An increase in the amount of combustible fuel for a fire. This can change the behavior of fire and lead to a more intense and aggressive fire.
- An increase in the risk of ignition because of a more significant number of electrical appliances and excessive use of appliances like washing machines and dryers.
- Obstructions to the safe evacuation of occupants.
- Limitations of access for firefighters can exacerbate the number of deaths and injuries.
Water Burns
A landlord must ensure that all sinks, showers, and other water fixtures are equipped with handles that prevent the water temperature from exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperatures that exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit have the potential to cause severe burns. Third-degree burns may be caused by seconds of contact with water that exceeds 133 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are around hot water in your apartment, be sure to check the water temperature before exposing yourself to it. No water source in your apartment should be able to produce water that has a temperature exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Controlling Apartment Temperatures
When landlords attempt to control the temperature of units, it may leave tenants with no alternative but to resort to alternative heating methods, which may be unsafe and lead to a fire. Therefore, controlling the temperature of apartment units can be landlord negligence.
Burn Injury Victims
The American Burn Association reports that more than 485,000 victims of burn injuries were treated in the U.S. from 2011-2015. 73% of burn injuries in the U.S. occur in the home. Burn injuries may be devastating financially and emotionally. Burn injury victims may require skin grafts, plastic surgery, at-home care, counseling, or other medical treatments. Burn injury victims may sustain injuries that have life-long impacts
Skilled Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one are the victim of a burn injury, do not rush to accept a settlement from an insurer. As insurance companies are often for-profit corporations, they often attempt to cut costs by offering settlements that are almost always well below their full value. Instead, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney with experience handling burn injury cases after a burn injury. Call Ali Awad, ‘the CEO Lawyer,’ and his experienced team of personal injury accident attorneys today to receive a free, no-obligation consultation. We can assist you with exploring your legal options and avenues to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm by calling (470) 323-8779 or contacting us online. If we take your case, you won’t pay anything until we win.