Smoke detectors and fire alarms are invaluable tools for saving lives. It’s estimated that about 60 percent of deaths that occur due to house fires happen because there were no smoke alarms in the home. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fires are the second leading cause of accidental deaths in the home. Alarms that can detect smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide are critical. Those alarms must be properly maintained as well as properly installed.
Your landlord may be legally liable for failing to install smoke detectors. Property owners have a duty to take steps to ensure that guests on their property are not harmed. In addition, California has laws requiring smoke detectors in certain residential facilities. If a landlord fails to follow the law, and a tenant is harmed, the tenant can sue for damages.
In some cases, a landlord may install smoke detectors and even check them from time to time, but the smoke detector may fail. Smoke alarm failures are not uncommon, and the devices have been recalled in the past due to malfunctioning devices. In that situation, the manufacturer of the smoke alarm may be held liable for your damages.
When victims have been involved in a fire or been harmed because of smoke inhalation, they can file a claim against the responsible parties. It’s important to hire an attorney who can help investigate, file a claim, and preserve evidence. Victims may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, property damage, and more. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles premises liability attorney, at 310-385-0567, if you have been harmed due to a fire and you believe that another party is to blame. My team can help. Call to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.