Slager Madry LLC’s lawyers have unique experience handling injury cases arising from explosions and fires Although Slager Madry is headquartered in Stamford, we handle cases across Fairfield County and the rest of Connecticut for people who are injured in fires and explosions resulting from negligence.
People can be seriously injured in fires and explosions at home or work. Many times, fires and explosions are the result of negligence and could have been easily prevented by a few basic steps. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a reasonably safe living environment, and this is true for both homes and workplaces.
Slager Madry attorneys have represented victims of fires and explosions in a number of high profile Connecticut cases.
One of the most notorious Connecticut fires took place at the Courtland Gardens Residence, an assisted living facility for elderly residents in Stamford. In the Courtland Gardens fire, three residents were killed and seven injured when a fire was started in a resident’s room, then spread down the hall and to other rooms. The fire took place in an older wing of the facility that had only a single sprinkler at the end of a hallway. The adjacent wing, which was newer, had a much more extensive sprinkler system that would have significantly reduced the impact of the fire.
Paul Slager successfully represented two victims, one who was seriously injured and one who was killed, by this devastating fire. In doing so, he revealed that residents and their families were unaware that the older wing had limited fire protection, while other wings had safer, more modern early fire detection systems in place that likely would have prevented the deaths and injuries.
In another highly publicized case now ongoing, Joaquin Madry and Nicole Coates are pursuing a wrongful death case on behalf of the estate of a person who died in fire of apartment building in Hartford, where owner of building knew that the sprinkler system had been disconnected. In that case, Slager Madry also is suing the City of Hartford after the firm’s investigation revealed that the building fire alarm had not been inspected by the City since 2011, despite regulations requiring building to be inspected annually.
Perhaps the most devastating workplace explosion in Connecticut history took place at the Kleen Energy Power Plant in Middletown. The explosion, which could be felt as far away as Hartford and New Haven many miles away, resulted in six deaths and more than 50 injured. Paul Slager represented two Canadian families in lawsuits related to the death and serious injury of two workers who were present at the worksite and seriously injured – one fatally – in the explosion. The care required careful study of the elaborate construction and engineering plans for the worksite, as well as analysis of the extensive safety standards and codes that applied to the job. Both cases were resolved in favor of his clients before trial.
The lawsuit and government investigation into the explosion revealed that all the devastation it caused was the result of negligence and willful conduct by numerous companies who were managing the worksite. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) eventually announced that it planned to fine seventeen companies involved in the construction of the plant a total of $16.6 million for 371 safety violations in the construction of the plant, 225 of which OSHA considered deliberate. In other words, these companies placed profits above considerations about the safety of the workers, resulting in catastrophic trauma and injuries to the workers and their surviving family members.
Both residential and commercial buildings are subject to an elaborate set of building codes designed to prevent fires and explosions, or to provide early detection of smoke and fire. These codes are designed for the safety of people who live and work in these spaces and the failure to comply with the code can have devastating consequences. Other times, portions of older buildings may not be subject to updated building codes, but this does not necessarily relieve the building owner from the responsibility to minimize the potential hazards of fire and explosions.
In Connecticut, cities and towns have building departments to inspect and enforce building codes and regulations to ensure safe construction and maintenance of spaces. Slager Madry lawyers have worked on cases where building departments have failed to enforce existing building codes, which has caused terrible injuries to building occupants. In some of these situations, cities and towns may themselves be found liable for failing to fulfill their obligations to enforce code violations related to health and safety.
Not every fire or explosion is the result of careless or willful acts of another, but many are. The attorneys at Slager Madry can investigate and advise you whether the injuries you or your loved one suffered from a fire or explosion should have been avoided and, if so, whether you can pursue legal claims.
You Could Recover Compensation After a Car or Truck Accident in Stamford
If you have suffered serious injuries in a fire or explosion in Stamford or another part of Connecticut through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to a wide range of financial compensation. These awards are designed to cover your financial, emotional, and physical losses in the collision. Some of the damages that may be available include the following:
Loss of Life
Connecticut law permits people to claim compensation for the loss of life caused by the carelessness of another, including the death itself, the loss of the enjoyment of life’s activities, lost income. Our law also recognizes that serious injuries and death of a loved one impacts the surviving spouse. As a result, Connecticut law permits surviving spouses to make claims for injuries the surviving spouse has suffered because of the injuries or death of a husband or wife.
Medical Bills
If your case is successful, you could recover compensation based on the cost of your medical care. With serious injuries, these expenses may not only be significant, but they could also continue for years to come. You could recoup the cost of surgical procedures, hospitalization, or physical therapy.
Lost Wages
One of the frustrating parts of suffering a major injury from an explosion or fire is that you could be forced to miss work. Suddenly, losing your primary source of income can throw your financial situation into distress—especially if you are also saddled with major medical bills. With the help of our team, you could be entitled to recover damages based on your past and future lost wages. If you are permanently disabled, you could be entitled to compensation for the wages you would have earned throughout the rest of your life.
Pain and Suffering
Catastrophic injuries from fires and explosions usually bring immense physical and emotional pain. Although no two people experience pain exactly the same, the courts can award damages based on the extent of your suffering. Our firm can show a judge or jury how your pain impacts your quality of life.
Disfigurement and Amputation
Burns and other serious injuries caused by fires and explosions can result in permanent scarring or the loss of certain body parts or functions. There is both a physical and an emotional toll that comes with this type of permanent loss. Much like your pain and suffering, you could be entitled to damages based on how your life has been impacted by your disfigurement or loss of limb.
How Slager Madry Can Help
There are many reasons why relying on the skill and experience of an lawyer who handles explosion and fire cases at Slager Madry LLC is important. The cases are complex, and the defendants and their insurance companies typically have the resources to fight back. an attorney on your side can help even the odds. Slager Madry LLC can provide you with the same high caliber lawyer that multi-million-dollar companies can access
Our lawyers are experienced in handling complicated accidents involving catastrophic injuries. We will deal with every aspect of your case from start to finish, ensuring you have an advocate who always puts your interests first. Some of the ways we can help include:
Investigating Your Accident
Before you can negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit, you will need a clear understanding of how an explosion or fire happened, and whether it was preventable by reasonable care. A Slager Madry LLC lawyer who handles explosion and fire case will carefully review the facts, starting with the investigation reports. We will review available videos and talk to witnesses, all with two goals in mind: identifying the at-fault parties and determining the extent of your losses.
Gathering Records
Building a case for negligence following an explosion or fire requires stacks of documents, and a Slager Madry LLC lawyer who handles explosion and fire case can help you gather them. This includes everything from your medical records to reports related to the truck’s compliance with state and local codes and regulations. This data could be invaluable in proving negligence.
Identifying Your Damages
Another important part of any explosion and injury case is determining the types of damages you have suffered. It is impossible to guarantee a specific outcome or predict what a settlement offer might include, but our attorneys can help you understand the types of damages that might be available.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Settlement offers sometime happen in these cases, but that does not mean they are worth accepting. Our firm can negotiate with the insurance company and advise you on what is fair and reasonable. It will always be your decision whether to settle your case or not, but we will provide you with all the information you need to make the right choice.
Taking Your Case to Trial When Needed
Our goal is to secure a fair settlement without the need for you to ever set foot in a courtroom. While many cases play out this way, there is always the potential that yours could go to trial. We prepare every case we take for trial and will ensure you are prepared while continuously being open to the possibility of a settlement until the last available moment.
You Have Limited Time to Pursue Legal Action
You have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit after being hurt in a fire or explosion, but this opportunity will not last forever. The statute of limitations, the legal deadline that applies to most lawsuits, governs your case. If you wait too long to file, you could miss out on your chance to recover damages.
In general, if a claim is based on negligence, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. There are a few exceptions that can increase or decrease the amount of time you have to act, so it is important you seek advice from a qualified attorney experienced in this area to avoid forfeiting your ability to seek compensation.
If you miss this deadline to file your lawsuit, the court can permanently bar you from recovering compensation in the future. You would be wise to have a Slager Madry LLC lawyer who handles explosion and fire case from Slager Madry LLC make sure you comply with this time limit.
Reach Out to a Slager Madry LLC lawyer who handles explosion and fire case Today
Explosions and fires have the potential to change the course of your life forever. While no amount of money can ever turn back the clock or undo your severe injuries, it can provide you with the resources you need to regain your quality of life. A settlement could pay for your medical bills, compensate you for your pain, and replace your lost income. At Slager Madry LLC, we understand what is at stake in such a situation. Let a Slager Madry LLC lawyer who handles explosion and fire case help you pursue justice. Contact us today for a free consultation.