Wrongful Death Caused by Fire: Who’s Liable?
When a fire turns deadly, the heartbreak can be overwhelming – especially if it could have been prevented. Wrongful death from fire can take everything and makes it difficult to find closure or heal.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fire and you believe someone’s negligence played a role, you may have a wrongful death claim. This kind of lawsuit helps families get justice when a death is caused by someone else’s failure to act responsibly.
Over decades, our firm has represented countless wrongful death clients, and won. Here’s what you need to know about this specific type of case.
When Is a Fire Considered Wrongful Death?
Not every fatal fire leads to a wrongful death case. But when someone’s careless actions or failure to follow safety rules causes or worsens the fire, they could be held legally responsible.
This is especially true if:
- The fire started because of faulty wiring, a defective appliance, or an unsafe heater.
- A landlord or property owner ignored fire code violations.
- Smoke detectors were missing or not working.
- Fire exits were blocked, locked, or poorly marked.
- There was no fire escape plan in place at a business or rental property.
In situations like these, the death might have been prevented if the responsible party had taken proper precautions.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Wrongful death lawsuits can name a variety of people. In fire cases, it depends on how the fire started and where it happened.
Some examples include:
Landlords or Property Managers
If your loved one died in a rental unit with no smoke detectors, old wiring, or unsafe heating, the building owner could be at fault.
Manufacturers
If the fire was caused by a defective product, like a faulty space heater or kitchen appliance, the company that made or sold the product might be liable.
Maintenance Companies or Contractors
If a third-party repair crew did shoddy electrical work or failed to fix a known hazard, they could also be responsible.
Hotels or Businesses
Commercial properties are required to meet strict fire safety rules. If they cut corners or ignored hazards, they may be held accountable in a wrongful death suit.
With all of the above examples, you’ll want a lawyer to help you figure out how to proceed. Sometimes more than one person might have been negligent. Cases like this can get complex, and our firm can help you figure out your next steps.
What You Can Recover in a Fire-Related Wrongful Death Case
Losing someone in a fire is a devastating emotional and financial blow. A wrongful death lawsuit can help your family recover:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills (if your loved one received treatment before passing)
- Loss of income and future financial support
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and care
Every case is different, but these lawsuits can help ease the burden during an incredibly difficult time.
What to Do If You Suspect Negligence
If you believe a fire that killed your loved one was preventable, don’t wait to take action. Important evidence can disappear quickly.
Here’s what you can do:
- Request official reports from the fire department or investigator.
- Take photos of the scene, if safe to do so.
- Collect names of witnesses, tenants, or neighbors who may know about previous complaints.
Remember, information like inspection reports, fire marshal records, and remnants of damaged appliances can disappear or become hard to track down.
So don’t wait. Speak with a wrongful death lawyer who understands fire cases and can guide you through your legal options.
You Deserve Answers and Justice
No family should have to go through the pain of losing a loved one in a fire, and especially when it could have been avoided.
If you believe negligence played a role, a wrongful death lawsuit can give your family the answers, justice, and financial support you deserve.
But you need the right attorney on your side.
Over the years, we’ve won millions for our clients and proven ourselves as a trusted, compassionate firm that puts our clients first every single day. We will fight for you with the full power of our resources. And we don’t win anything until we win your case.
If you’re in Memphis or the surrounding area, reach out to our wrongful death law firm today. We’ll listen to your story and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable, so you never have to face this alone.