Surviving a home, apartment, or dorm fire can be quite traumatic. You were essentially very close to death, and you may have lost property or injured yourself in some manner. Even though this event can be traumatizing, it is also important to act fast and prioritize certain actions before it is too late. Taking swift action after an apartment fire can help you better prepare for the steps that lie ahead, allowing you and your family to create a new beginning.
Get In Touch With Landlord and Insurance Agents
Your landlord likely already knows about the fire. However, getting in touch with them after the fire is a good way to determine your next steps. For example, your landlord may have several vacancies across other properties, and as a result, they will be able to put you up in another unit while you look for something more permanent.
If you have renter’s insurance, your first phone call should be to your agency. Additionally, your renter’s insurance company will help guide you through the process of filing a claim and recouping costs from lost or damaged possessions resulting from the fire.
Find a Place to Stay
One of the most immediate concerns about apartment fires is, “Where will I sleep tonight?” You have a few options regarding sleeping arrangements, aside from the landlord suggestion outlined above:
- Talk to your insurance company. Either your renter’s or your landlord’s property insurance may cover the cost of a hotel if the dwelling becomes uninhabitable.
- Call the Red Cross. This organization is one of the first lines of defense for people affected by fires and natural disasters. They may be able to point you to housing or help you replace some of your possessions. Click to get help.
Talk to an Attorney
If your apartment caught fire because of a dangerous condition on the property that the property owner did or should have known about, he or she could be liable for all the damages you incurred as a result. A personal injury attorney can help determine if you have grounds for a premises liability claim against your landlord or a third party.
Premise liability claims can help you recoup costs for lost or damaged possessions, the cost of finding new living arrangements, and even the intangible losses you experienced as a result. However, this hinges on the idea that a property owner’s negligence led directly to the fire and requires a lawyer’s guidance.
Contact our office now at 419-843-6663 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio apartment fire attorney.
Jeff joined GT&B in 2008 as a law clerk. After graduation, he worked in election law. In 2011, he returned to GT&B as an Associate, focusing on personal injury cases like auto accidents, premises liability, general negligence, wrongful death, and dog bites. Now a Senior Associate in the Personal Injury department, he is passionate about protecting his clients who have suffered injuries through no fault of their own and ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
