If a house fire caused by negligence has resulted death for your loved one, you should contact a wrongful death lawyer at Wieand Parker Arreola, PLLC. In an instant, life can turn upside down as the result of a lethal fire. The individual or corporation responsible for the house fire likely has an attorney representing their interests, and we advise that you should, too. A wrongful death lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding the house fire and determine who can be held liable for your loss.
Fatal fire accidents can occur in homes, hotels, commercial establishments, or workplaces. These cases can be very complex, as multiple defendants may be liable. A wrongful death attorney can help to determine if any of the following have liability for the house fire:
A defendant can be held liable when the fire was the result of their negligent actions. For example, if the property owner knew about faulty wiring and failed to repair it, their actions may be considered negligent. Examples of negligence for fires can include:
Again, many cases have multiple defendants who each hold some degree of liability in the fire accident. A wrongful death attorney can sort through these complicated claims and seek the maximum possible compensation.
Not every fatal house fire is caused by human negligence alone — many are caused, or made far worse, by a defective consumer product. Appliances found in nearly every home, such as space heaters, refrigerators, ovens and stovetops, and even faulty oven knobs that can be inadvertently or spontaneously activated, have all been linked to fires when they are defectively designed, manufactured, or lack adequate warnings. When a product defect starts or contributes to a fatal fire, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of that product may be held liable for the resulting deaths and injuries.
A wrongful death lawyer will investigate whether the manufacturer knew or should have known about the defect, whether the product was subject to a recall, and whether adequate safety warnings were provided to consumers. Working with fire investigators and product safety experts, an attorney can determine whether a defective appliance caused or contributed to your loved one’s death and pursue every liable party for compensation.
A wrongful death claim permits recovery of damages for losses the victim sustained as the result of the house fire accident. The types of damages available can vary by state, so we advise contacting a wrongful death lawyer about your situation. Damages may include:
In Pennsylvania, a personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the wrongful death lawsuit. The court can assign a representative if no one was outlined in the deceased’s will. The beneficiaries of a wrongful death suit may vary by state. In Pennsylvania, beneficiaries can include the children, spouse, or parents of the victim. A wrongful death lawyer can perform a death beneficiary analysis when multiple beneficiaries are involved.
Contact Wieand Parker Arreola, PLLC, to speak with an experienced wrongful death lawyer about the circumstances regarding your claim. We offer a free consultation to listen to you and help explain your legal options. Call us at 215-666-7777 or send us a message and speak directly to an attorney who can help you seek justice and compensation for your loved one’s wrongful death.
