Can Landlords Be Held Accountable for House Fires in New Jersey?

On November 24, 2024, a man was critically injured in a devastating fire at an apartment complex in Lodi, New Jersey. The victim had severe burns and was admitted to critical condition at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. While the investigation continues it raises concerns and highlights a key issue for renters: possible landlord negligence.

Landlords have a legal duty to keep their properties safe for tenants, and if they don’t meet these standards, they can be responsible for injuries or damages caused by the fire or accident. This includes injuries like serious burns, smoke inhalation, broken bones from falls during evacuation, and respiratory issues from toxic fumes. These can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts on victims and their families. If a landlord’s negligence increases the risk of fire or accident, there may be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

How to Identify Landlord Negligence

If you’ve been injured in an apartment fire, it’s important to think about what steps to take to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering disfigurement. You should contact an experienced personal injury burn lawyer, especially if the fire is caused by landlord negligence or unsafe conditions. Some signs of landlord negligence are a lack of fire extinguishers, defective batteries in smoke detectors, unclear escape routes, broken mold detectors, and other factors that cause injury. If the landlord ignores these problems or does not have regular safety checks, it shows negligence. Also, there could be a claim if the landlord did not take reasonable steps to prevent the fire, like missing regular safety inspections.

According to Samuel L. Davis, Esq., an attorney certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, and founding partner of New Jersey’s Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, PC, who is an expert in litigating burn and explosion cases, “There are no greater, or more serious injuries than burn injuries.” Davis further remarked, “Representing burn injury victims throughout the years has given me a unique understanding of the complex medical injuries and damages suffered by a victim of a fire or explosion.” An experienced personal injury burn lawyer will investigate the cause and origin of a fire and navigate the legal process while fighting for the compensation you deserve.

New Jersey’s Landlord-Tenant Laws

New Jersey’s landlord-tenant laws protect tenants by holding landlords accountable for keeping up with their properties so they are safe and livable. One key law that must followed is the “Implied Warranty of Habitability” (NJSA 46:8-1). It states that rental properties must be free from health and safety dangers, and if a tenant is hurt because of unsafe conditions (such as broken steps, exposed wires, or mold) the landlord could be held responsible. New Jersey law also requires landlords to fix problems quickly once notified, or tenants can take legal action. If the landlord doesn’t make repairs on time, they can be held responsible for negligence after an accident occurs.

What to Expect from a Personal Injury Burn Lawyer

When a personal injury lawyer is hired to investigate landlord negligence, they take immediate, thorough steps to build a strong case for their client. They visit the property, take pictures, preserve valuable evidence, check for dangerous conditions, and review maintenance records to see if the landlord neglected repairs or violated safety standards. The lawyer will carefully examine the accident site and interview victims and witnesses to gather details about the fire. They may also consult with experts, such as building inspectors, to assess whether the property met safety codes. In New Jersey, where landlords have clear legal standards for their properties, investigations are critical to proving negligence and helping injured tenants secure the compensation they deserve. Often an experienced burn injury lawyer will hire an expert, like a cause and origin expert, who determines the conditions that led up to the fire and how the actual fire started. Understanding these laws can help fire victims receive justice when injured by a landlord’s neglect.

Contact Our New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys for Help

Although it’s unknown if landlord neglect caused the tragedy in Lodi, it still serves as a reminder that landlords and tenants must take fire safety seriously. If you’ve been injured in an apartment fire, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Whether you have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, a fire, or require representation for a claim, the personal injury attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. offer compassionate, skilled legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Clients seeking experienced personal injury lawyers in Teaneck, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or via email at info@dsslaw.com. The firm offers free consultations, and second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City.  Attorney Samuel Davis, who litigates and consults on burn cases nationally can be reached at 1-800-529-2000 or at Samuel.davis@dsslaw.com.