House Fire Statistics

If you are loved one have been injured or suffered a loss as a result of a fire contact the attorneys at Carabin Shaw Law Firm. Our team of lawyers are ready to do what it takes to put you, your family and your loved ones lives’ back together after a devastating fire.

At Carabin Shaw, our lawyers represent fire victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. For our house fire cases, we work with highly experienced experts and can help you. In every case, we have to look at the facts of the fire, insurance and other corporate documents, real estate documents and other evidence to determine who can be sued by the victim or their family.

Here are some compelling facts from the United States Fire Administration about home and residential fires:

• At least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in house fires.
• Residential fires represent 23 percent of all fires and 76 percent of structure fires.
• Each year, fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined.
• Senior citizens age 65 and over and children under the age of 5 have the greatest risk of fire death.
• The fire death risk among seniors is over one half times the average population.
• Children under the age of 10 accounted for an estimated 22.2 percent of all fire deaths.
• Men die or are injured in fires almost twice as often as women.
• African Americans and American Indians have significantly higher death rates per capita than the national average. Although African Americans comprise 13 percent of the population they account for 26 percent of fire deaths.
• A working smoke alarm dramatically increases a person’s chance of surviving a fire.
• Over 90 percent of U.S. homes have at least one smoke alarm. However, these alarms are not always properly maintained and as a result might not work in an emergency.
• It is estimated that over 39 percent of residential fires and 52 percent of residential fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms.
• Residential sprinklers have become more cost effective for homes. Currently, few homes are protected by them.

The issue of possible defendants is a complex one. One of our jobs is to find as many parties to sue as possible to make sure you and your family are fully and adequately compensated.

There are multiple parties that can be sued as defendants, including:

• The manufacturer of a defective appliance;
• The manufacturer of flammable furniture;
• The manufacturer of a defective alarm;
• The builder (contractor) of the house;
• An electrician and his or her employer;
• The owner of the rental house;
• A propane company if the cause was a propane tank explosion;

The attorneys at Carabin Shaw Law Firm have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and understand the tactics insurance companies often employ to avoid payment. Our team stands ready to help you and your family get back on your feet after a fire. Call us today!