Bronx Apartment Fire Lawsuit

The January 9th fire that engulfed the Twin Parks North West apartment complex in the Bronx was a tragedy that cost 19 victims — including nine children — their lives. For the 63 surviving injured victims and the loved ones of the deceased, however, this is also the beginning of a fight to recover from your physical, financial, and emotional losses.

A man holds a woman’s hands to comfort her. An apartment fire lawyer in the Bronx can be a source of support if you’ve been injured.

The Bronx apartment fire lawyers at Morelli Law are committed to fighting for victims’ rights. Let us help you file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. We will guide you through each step of the process, giving you the support you need to move forward.

Damages Victims of the Bronx Apartment Fire Can Claim

On top of the devastating loss of life, the fire, which began at about 10:54 a.m. at 333 East 181st St. in Fordham, left many struggling in the aftermath. If you were injured or you lost a loved one, you may suddenly find yourself struggling to cope with medical bills, missed work, and homelessness. 

Some of the expenses you may be facing can include:

• The cost of emergency transport, doctors, and hospitalization
• Lost salary or the loss of the ability to work
• The cost of medical transportation
• The cost of relocation
• The cost of disabled access modifications for home and vehicle
• Funeral, cremation, and burial expenses

If another party is found negligent for the fire, they may have to compensate you for these and any other related losses. In addition to this, you may be able to claim non-economic damages like pain and suffering and loss of consortium. A New York personal injury lawyer can give you an estimate of how much compensation you may be entitled to in your specific case.

How Negligence Can Cause an Apartment Building Fire

New York building safety codes require apartment owners to take specific measures to keep tenants safe. The State has also put measures in place to hold landlords accountable for dangerous conditions. 

Despite the State of New York’s efforts to keep tenants safe, the fact remains that the investors who typically own low-income apartment buildings like the Twin Parks North West complex are in the business of making profits, not spending them on tenant safety.

Far too often, these investors cut costs that might dip into their profits like making upgrades that would keep their properties safe and compliant. This puts tenants at risk, but it’s a gamble many property owners are willing to take. 

In the case of the Twin Parks North West apartment complex, initial reports are blaming the fire on a faulty space heater. Upon further investigation, this could be traced to a faulty product, faulty wiring, and any number of other sources.

How Lawyers Prove Negligence After an Apartment Building Fire

The 19-story Twin Parks North West apartment complex was built in 1972. If a building this old is not maintained on a regular basis, it could become extremely dangerous to occupy. During a lawsuit, your lawyer will need to prove that building negligence caused or contributed to the fire. 

Your attorney may take these steps to prove negligence if you file a Bronx apartment fire lawsuit:

• Filing documents to make sure evidence is preserved
• Identifying and interviewing witnesses
• Conducting independent investigations
• Identifying safety violations 
• Bringing in expert witnesses
• Identifying all liable parties

Self-closing doors, functioning fire alarms, and well-lit pathways and exit signs are required by New York law. Residents of Twin Parks North West have claimed that the fire alarms in the building were so faulty that they regularly experienced false alarms. Had this and other issues been addressed sooner, many more residents could have escaped the inferno with their lives. 

Get a Free Bronx Apartment Fire Claim Consultation

The experienced New York personal injury lawyers at Morelli Law understand what it takes to get the settlement you need to recover. We secured the largest pain and suffering award in New York history for one of our clients, and we will fight to get you the highest possible compensation in your lawsuit. 

Reach out to us today to request a claim evaluation. Your initial consultation is free of charge and no-obligation. We work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.