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From 2015-2019, more than a quarter of all reported fires occurred in single-family, multi-family, and apartment homes. These home structure fires accounted for 75% of all reported civilian fire deaths and 72% of all reported civilian fire injuries. An overwhelming majority of these fire deaths occurred while the victim was sleeping or attempting escape. This makes the home one of the single deadliest environments for a fire to occur in the United States. When someone is injured or dies in a fire, it is often the case that someone was negligent.

Millions Recovered for Fire Victims in Kansas City

If you have suffered burn injuries or lost a loved one in a fire caused by the negligence of another, contact Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Kansas City fire and explosion lawyers immediately. We have recovered millions for victims of home fires in the Kansas City area, and we want to ensure you are compensated for your losses, too.

Burn injuries are painful, debilitating, and expensive to treat. Aside from the obvious burn injuries, many fire victims suffer unimaginable emotional and psychological damage that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. All of this may be accounted for in a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

Why Choose a Kansas City Fire Attorney from JHC?

When you or a loved one has suffered due to a fire, the last thing you want to worry about is the ins and outs of filing a legal claim. Insurance companies and their adjusters will do everything they can to pay you as little as possible, and they take full advantage when someone does not know how much their claim is worth. JHC’s Kansas City personal injury lawyers have you covered.

Unlike many personal injury attorneys, we are not interested in rapidly “churning” through a high volume of claims while only securing bare minimum awards for our clients. We always put forth the utmost effort in investigating your case and are fully committed to maximizing each client’s payout through personal representation of the highest quality. This can mean the difference between pennies and millions in your pocket. JHC’s Kansas City personal injury attorneys offer the superior, client-centered representation that you can trust. We will work hard to answer your questions and guide you through the process every step of the way.

How Do Home Fires Start?

We all have a general idea how fires work. Some ignition source (match, spark, etc.) ignites a fuel source. Although this premise seems simple enough, it means there are countless combinations of ignition and fuel that may serve as the starting place for a fire in the home. Faulty electrical systems, defective electric products, improper storage of flammable materials, smoking materials, heating equipment, the list goes on and on.

On top of that basic equation, there are social and environmental factors that may increase the likelihood of a fire. Although home structure fires can start at any time of the year, they are much more common during the cooler months when people spend more time inside. From 2015-2019, nearly half of all home structure fires and over half of all home structure fire fatalities occurred between the months of November and March.

These factors along with many others form the causation portion of any fire investigation.

Who Can be Liable for Home Fire Injuries or Deaths?

Once you identify the cause of the fire, you can determine who should be held responsible for the injury or death that resulted.

• Landlord Liability: Generally speaking, landlords owe a duty of care to their tenants and invitees. This includes making sure that the premises are reasonably safe when you move in. This may include installing or replacing smoke detectors according to code, making sure electrical systems comply with housing code requirements, and providing fire suppression devices like fire extinguishers. Having proper fire and smoke detection systems in place alongside adequate fire suppression devices can mean the difference between life and death. If a landlord violates this duty and a tenant suffers from a fire stemming from this violation, the landlord may be liable to compensate the tenant.
• Property Manager Liability: Like landlords, some property managers owe a duty of care to the tenants of the premises they oversee. If the property manager is responsible for making or facilitating repairs or maintenance, they too may owe a duty of care related to those responsibilities. These are the people you trust on a daily basis to keep you safe. If they fail in this duty, they must be held accountable.
• Product Manufacturer Liability: Product manufacturers owe a duty to consumers to ensure their products are reasonably safe. They must produce products that are free of design or manufacturing defects, and they must sufficiently warn of potential dangers their products may pose to consumers like you. No one should have to suffer because a huge multinational manufacturer cared more about its bottom line than their customers’ safety.
• Utility Company Liability: Utility companies (natural gas, electric, etc.) owe a duty of care to ensure their systems are safe. Each month, you pay not just for the electricity or gas you use, but also for the utility companies to maintain and repair their systems. You pay them to keep you safe, so these companies may be on the hook if their systems malfunction and cause a fire that injures or kills someone you love.
• General Contractor/Electrician Liability: Faulty electrical wiring is a serious fire danger—both in an old home and in a new build. Contractors and sub-contractors are obliged to ensure their work on your home is safe. Failure to adequately protect you may open them up to liability.

JHC’s Kansas City fire and explosion attorneys will undertake a diligent investigation to help you determine who is at fault for your fire and make sure all of the proper parties are included in your claim.

For superior representation in your fire and explosion injury case, contact the JHC’s personal injury attorneys in Kansas City.

Common Questions About Fire & Explosion Cases

How long do I have to file a fire injury or wrongful death lawsuit?

The statute of limitations is the window of time an injured person (or the family of a deceased person) has in which to file a claim for damages. Each state sets its own statutes.  In the state of Kansas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death is two years from the date of the injury or death, In Missouri, the statute for personal injury is five years and the statute for wrongful death is three years. Although you have this length of time to file your injury or wrongful death claim, the sooner you file the lawsuit, the better. Memories fade with time, and evidence goes missing, so the quicker you can get your claim filed, the better chance it has of a positive outcome. While no amount of money can bring your loved one back, money can help you and your family members move forward with your lives.  

How can a Kansas City fire attorney from JHC help?

Joseph, Hollander & Craft is a premier law firm that represents those who have been injured or have lost loved ones in home structure fires. We are consistently skilled, prepared, and relentless on your behalf. We understand the potential complexities associated with your lawsuit and know how to address them. We want you to be able to heal from your injuries or your grief while we work on your behalf to ensure you receive appropriate compensation. Contact us today.