It can be difficult to think about, but the reality is that there’s any number of things that could leave you injured in Lexington. It doesn’t just involve vehicle accidents, but things like tripping and falling and even fire injuries.
A Lexington man was killed on Sunday, January 22, 2024 when his home on New Circle Road caught on fire, according to a story from Fox 56. The Lexington Police and Fire Departments both responded to the call of a fire in the 100 block of New Circle Road just before midnight. Once the blaze was under control, authorities found a man who they pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say his death was ruled an accident and was caused by smoke inhalation.
Is a Fire Accident Different Than Others?
Although it’s extremely unfortunate, when there’s a fire that injures you or someone you know, it’s viewed the same as any other accident under Kentucky law. And like any other injury claim, you have to show negligence in order to figure out who is at fault.
In the context of a house fire or something similar, this means establishing the following elements:
- Duty of care – The person or product that caused the fire had a duty of care to act responsibly and keep you safe
- Breach of duty – There was a breach of this duty
- Causation – The breach caused the fire
- Damages – There’s a link between the fire and your injuries
So, when you’re hurt in a fire that was caused by someone else’s negligence, someone is going to be responsible. Typically, this falls on:
- Other people
- Manufacturers of malfunctioning or dangerous products
- Landlords
- Property management
Evidence
In these types of accidents, the evidence is going to be very important. Most of the time, it depends on the circumstances, but always make sure to try to gather the following to show liability:
- Incident reports
- Product packaging or receipts, including from the store you bought it from
- Photos and videos
- Lease agreements
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Fire department records
- Inspection reports or records
- Insurance documentation
- Communication with landlords or product manufacturers
Obviously, the more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. It’s also important to try to nail down every liable party, because Kentucky allows you to file an injury claim against anyone that’s responsible. While it’s not a legal requirement, having our team of lawyers on your side can make this process much simpler for you.
Contact Kaufman & Stigger For Help After a Lexington Injury
Injuries from a fire in Lexington can obviously result in severe physical and emotional consequences. Fires cause extensive harm to your skin, muscles, and nerves, often leading to infections. Beyond the physical injuries, there are lasting emotional and psychological scars.
Our team of Lexington personal injury lawyers can help you recover damages in an injury claim, which includes things like:
- Medical expenses, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Financial support for physical and emotional pain.
- Damages for emotional distress.
- Reimbursement for lost income.
- Property damage.
- Loss of companionship or quality of life.
- Financial considerations for scarring and disfigurement.
- Punitive damages in cases of excessive negligence.
No matter what led up to your injuries, we can help. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.
