Illinois Home & Fire Explosion Injury Attorney

Finding out what started the house fire

Families want peace of mind, to know where and how the fire originated to ensure that it cannot happen again. Finding answers requires visiting the scene with trained experts who will look for evidence:

• What was the arc damage? (The result of a rapid release of energy, possibly because of electrical failure)
• What was the pattern of damage?
• What materials burned?
• How did the fire ventilate?
• Where is the lowest level of fire damage?
• Was there work being performed by an outside contractor or company in the home or nearby area?
• Where is the area in the home of the most severe fire damage?

Researching this information and combining the evidence with any available eyewitness testimony can help the experts determine what caused the fire. Every explosion is unique, so it is essential to ensure a qualified professional determines the cause and origin of the fire.

Who can you hold responsible in a house fire lawsuit?

Defective smoke detectors, flammable liquids, gas explosions, cheap upholstered furniture, and faulty wiring are all different reasons that our clients have recovered cash settlements. It is essential to combine the known facts about the fire, insurance information, real estate information, and any possible evidence we have at our disposal to determine how our clients can get the compensation they are entitled to receive.

• The gas company if a gas explosion caused the fire
• The propane company if a propane tank explosion started the fire
• An electrician and his or her employer (faulty wiring for example)
• The contractor who built the home
• The manufacturer who created flammable furniture
• The manufacturer who sold a defective fire alarm
• The landlord of the building who may not have adequately maintained the premises
• The manufacturer who built a defective appliance (heater, stove, dryer, etc.)

Some statistics about house fires involving injury and death of occupants

While it may not be a primary concern for many families, this data may help you realize that home fires can change a family’s life overnight.

• More than 90 % of civilian structure fire deaths were caused by house fires.•    House fires resulted in more than $6.9 billion in property damage in 2018.
• The kitchen remains the primary location of house fires (49%) and injuries (38%).
• The leading cause of home fires across the United States, resulting in a severe burn injury has been and continues to be cooking (49%).
• While only 4% of all home fires start in the den, family room, or living room, these are accountable for 24% of all home fire deaths.
• About 4% of all home fires start by a malfunctioning washer or dryer.
• While the bedroom was the point of origin for only 7% of all house fires, these were responsible for a quarter of the house fire deaths.
• In the United States, many motor vehicle accidents involve fires starting in the garage when the car or truck ignited due to product manufacturers’ defective car parts.
• Elderly Americans continue to make up a disproportionate number of house fire deaths. We can attribute this to lowered reaction times and reduced hearing/vision.