2022 Bronx Apartment Fire: What Are My Rights And Can I Sue?
Nearly 80 brave firefighters responded in the early hours of April 29 to a blazing inferno that left several residents seriously injured and sent one firefighter to the hospital. According to our clients, this tragic event could have been avoided if the building owners had simply listened to the years of complaints about the smell of gas in the building. The danger was exacerbated by the fact that the building's smoke detectors failed to activate. Even worse, it appears that escape routes were poorly marked and had no emergency lights.
Leading fire accident attorney in New York City, Michael S. Lamonsoff and his team have swung into action to provide legal guidance to the victims and families that were injured in this blaze.
Apartment fire lawyer Lamonsoff says that New York City law requires the building owners to follow these requirements:
Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements:
- Each dwelling unit must be provided with at least one approved and operational smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector.
- The landlord is also responsible for replacing these installed units periodically upon the expiration of their useful life.
- The landlord must ensure that the carbon monoxide alarm is fitted with an end-of-life alarm.
- Once a carbon monoxide detector is installed, the building owner must provide a notice to at least one adult occupant of each dwelling unit regarding the testing and maintenance of the detector, including what to do if an alarm goes off.
Fire Escape and Exits Requirements:
Fire escape and exit issues contributed to the injuries in this fire incident:
- A fire escape plan must be posted on the inside of every apartment door, common area, and distributed to each dwelling, new tenants, and annually during fire prevention week.
- Clear exits unobstructed by obstacles on fire escapes, in hallways, and by entrance doors to a building including roof doors.
- It is illegal to install key-locked window gates on fire escapes and double cylinder locks which can trap residents inside an apartment in the event of a fire.
- Fire escape routes must be fitted with emergency lighting.
New York law requires property owners and managers to maintain their property in a safe condition, free from hazards and dangers. The owners and managers are required to keep common areas safe and to comply with all safety regulations and statutory requirements. Inspections should be performed on a regular basis to ensure that smoke detectors and escape routes are in proper working order. Tenants who are injured due to the negligence of the property owners and managers have the right to sue. At the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, we leave no stone unturned in our investigation and this enables us to get the best result for our clients.