Bronx Fires and Explosions Lawyer

Unfortunately, fire and explosion accidents are common in the Bronx. They can occur unexpectedly at work or at home. These accidents can lead to serious injury and in some cases, death, resulting in life-altering losses.

If you or a loved one were a victim of a fire or explosion in the Bronx area, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Shulman & Hill’s expert Bronx fire and explosion lawyers are ready to assist you in your pursuit of compensation while you recover from your injury. Contact us for a free legal consultation to learn more.

What Can Cause a Fire or Explosion in the Bronx

There are plenty of ways that an explosion can occur. However, these causes are usually due to human error or negligence rather than chance. Examples of negligence in a residential fire include a landlord failing to install smoke detectors in an apartment, or a landlord failing to fix a defective stove which eventually causes a fire.

Most explosions happen in workplaces—typically in the oil, gas, mining, and construction industries. Any company that handles chemicals is also at risk of explosions. This is especially true if the company does not follow fire safety guidelines.

Below are a few common causes of fires and explosions in the workplace:

• OSHA violations
• Not storing chemicals properly
• Unsafe working conditions
• Faulty wiring
• Malfunctioning machinery, appliances, or equipment
• Untrained staff improperly handling flammable material
• Uncapped gas lines
• Negligent maintenance of public electric or gas utilities
• Improperly installed equipment or appliances
• Construction on or near gas mains
• Automobile explosions after a collision

How to Protect Yourself During an Emergency

Explosions

You should always take shelter as soon as an explosion occurs, as falling debris may come soon after. When the debris stops falling, you will need to exit the building. Make sure you leave quickly and do not use the elevators. Once outside, get as far away from the building as possible. Another explosion could follow or, if the building is damaged, parts of it might collapse.

If you are trapped inside, you will need to stay calm. Cover your face with a piece of fabric. Doing so protects your lungs from the harsh smoke in the air. You will need to find something loud to bang or tap on so that a rescue team can find you. It is best if you do not yell, as this could cause dust, smoke, and other harmful debris to enter your airways.

Fires

In the event of a fire, you will need to get outside as quickly as possible. Before opening any doors in the building, hold the back of your hand up to the doorknob. If it is warm, there is likely fire and smoke on the other side. In this case, you will need to find another way out. If you have to exit through smoke, you will want to crawl out (smoke rises). Shutting doors as you leave also prevents the spread of fire.

If you are trapped, shut the door and try to block the bottom to prevent smoke from coming in. Open a window to let air in and wave a piece of fabric out of it to signal for help.

Pursuing Compensation After a Bronx Fire or Explosion

Did you or a loved one suffer an injury during a fire or explosion? These events can cause serious physical injuries such as burns and disfigurement. The age-old adage “accidents happen” is hard to stomach when you have been injured in such a dangerous event.

Often, fires and explosions are caused by another party’s negligence. If a property owner, landlord, contractor, subcontractor, or similar party caused the fire or explosion that injured you or your loved one, you may be able to hold them financially accountable by filing a lawsuit.

If you were injured at work or on the job, you will most likely also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a form of no-fault insurance. Regardless of whether the accident was your fault or the employer’s fault, you may still qualify for compensation.

Why You Should Seek a Bronx Fire and Explosion Injury Attorney

Often, victims of a fire or explosion need long-lasting medical care. That may include reconstructive surgery or physical rehabilitation—which can be quite expensive. You or a loved one may be distraught and unable to press forward with your life after such a traumatic experience.

At Shulman & Hill, a Bronx fire and explosion attorney will be able to walk you through every step of the legal process to help you pursue any compensation you may be entitled to. Our Bronx personal injury legal team can file claims for compensation on your behalf, coordinate with our team of experts to investigate the cause of your accident and who may have been at fault, as well as negotiate on your behalf for fair compensation.

Why Choose Shulman & Hill?

Our fire and explosion law firm in the Bronx is made up of attorneys who have successfully represented many injured clients throughout New York City. We have represented clients in personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, and a wide array of other cases. Because of this, we have the experience to represent you after an accident involving a fire or explosion.

You can be confident that our team has the knowledge and skills to advocate for you. After an accident, you likely do not want to focus on legal matters. This is where we come in. If you or someone you know was the victim of a fire and explosion accident in the Bronx, contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation. You will only pay for our services if we recover compensation for you.