You had one thing on your mind as you exited your burning apartment building and got emergency medical treatment for burns and smoke inhalation-survival. In the days and weeks following the fire, your thoughts are still on survival. You may no longer be in imminent danger, but you are still recovering from your injuries. You are still unable to work, you are still getting medical treatment, and you are still worried about the financial implications of your injuries. If you decide to sue the owners of the building, how can you gather evidence of his guilt?
How Can You Prove That You Deserve a Settlement?
Your apartment building may not be safe for you to enter, but you can still gather the evidence you need prove your case. Start with the following:
- Get a copy of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) fire incident report. You should receive a copy of the incident report within ten business days of your request once the report is completed.
- Have your own professional investigators conduct an investigation. You may want an independent fire investigation specialist to investigate what happened in the fire.
- Document any evidence that you may have about the cause of the fire. This may include suspicious smells, sounds or activity that you noticed before, during or after the fire, for example.
- Document the extent of your injuries. This should include your medical records of all treatment received after the fire.
Other evidence may also be useful and should be discussed with your attorney.
If You've Been Hurt in a Fire, You've Already Lost Enough
You should not have to worry about a fair settlement. Instead, you should learn more about your rights and what actions you should take so that you can make informed decisions about what to do next. Contact our office today to find out more.