Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A mother of four children who died in a house fire in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against the landlord. The lawsuit claims the landlord placed the children's lives at risk by renting a home that did not meet city codes, was not properly inspected and did not provide working smoke detectors and fire escapes. Bethlehem officials have said the home had not been inspected before the tenants moved in and the landlord has pleaded guilty and paid a fine for failing to obtain a certificate of occupancy for the home

According to fire officials the blaze had accidentally been sparked by two jar candles left burning on a dining room table in the home. Fire officials said one smoke detector was in the house basement, but the batteries had been removed.

As a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer who handles Fire Claims, I applaud the mothers and their lawyer for filing suit against the landlord. Many of my clients throughout the City of Philadelphia are forced to live in less than ideal situations in houses which are unsafe, not properly inspected and pose a risk to themselves and their families. The very least these landlords can supply is a proper amount of working smoke detectors.

Posted by Michael Mednick | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Fire Injuries

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Philadelphia House Fires claim many lives and loss of homes for Philadelphia families each year. As reported by Dan Lieberman of the Philadelphia Inquirer after yesterday's block fire, three more families are homeless. The fire is believed to have started at 1536 Tioga Street in North Philadelphia. This home has been abandoned for years. Four squatters have been occupying the home for about four years. According to the block caption, Bloscenia Avent, the squatters were stealing electricity from the street.

It is being reported that neighbors of the home have complained for years to the Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections about the home. Neighbors also called PECO about the squatters and the illegal stealing of electricity. The squatters have been known to run illegal electrical lines to the home. Despite the clear and present dangers, the complaints fell on deaf ears.

Mia Sowers whose house was burned down in the fire said that she called L&I two weeks ago and told them 'they are either gonna burn this house down or burn my home down,' and I asked them to get them out of here, but they just took a report".

PECO spokesman, Michael Wood, acknowledged that fires caused by squatters are a common occurrence. PECO urges customers who witness hazardous conditions and or signs of theft of service to call their confidential hot-line number at: 1-866-414-1854. However, as in the case of the Tioga Street fires, making the complaint may not be enough.

Regarding liability for the damages, not enough facts are developed at this time but these residents of Tioga Street should hire an attorney to explore the potential of liability on the City of Philadelphia and PECO. Homeowners Insurance Claims should also be made. As a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer, I represent individuals who sustain burns and smoke inhalation injuries due to house fires. I also represent families seeking a recovery for the loss of property due to house fires. Hopefully, the need to contact me will not arise, however if it does, call me for a free consultation.

Related Web Resources:
Report Abandoned Property Problems to the Philadelphia Police Department

Posted by Michael Mednick | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Fire Injuries , Home Owners Liability , Legal News

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As a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer, I represent individuals who suffer injuries from a fire as well as families who have lost loved ones in a Philadelphia fire. Many times family members do not escape a house fire. Today, I have the opportunity to report on a fortunate family from Willingboro who were able to escape serious injuries or death from a house fire.

The fire trapped a mother and her three children in the two story home. The entire house was engulfed in flames. There was no way out. Fortunately, neighbors gathered quickly around the house pleading with the mother to throw her children out of a second floor window and into their waiting arms. The mom took their advise and first dropped her baby and then a second young child into the neighbor's awaiting arms. The mom then jumped herself. Her 14 year old son was trapped in a different upstairs bedroom and he jumped as well. It was reported that the teenager was taken to the hospital for injuries which were not life threatening.

We deserve to give a hero's applause to the Houseley family and other neighbors that were critical in saving this family and preventing further injuries.

Related Web Resources:

Philadelphia Inquirer: Mother throws two children to safety from burning home

6 ABC News: Neighbors Help Mom Rescue Babies

Posted by Michael Mednick | Permalink | Email This Post

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On Sunday in Chester, Pa, a fire killed a 3 year old girl, her mother and her mother's boyfriend. There were no working smoke detectors in the home. Obviously, this was a tragic loss of life. The mother was only 23 years old. The boyfriend was 29 years old.

We can prevent many fire injuries and fire deaths with the use of working smoke detectors. Philadelphia has a FREE smoke detector hot-line. Just call 215-686-1176. The City of Philadelphia will have your local Fire Department come out to your house and install, free of charge, working smoke detectors. Other cities have similar programs as well.

Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Firm compassionately represents families forced to deal with fire injuries and fire deaths. Contact Us for a Free Confidential Consultation.

Related Web Resources:

Philly.com: Man Dies in Fire Failing to Save Girlfriend, daughter

KYW: House Fire in Chester Kills Three by Mike DeNardo

Posted by Michael Mednick | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Fire Injuries

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According to the CDC, Fire Deaths are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States. On average in the United States, someone dies in a fire about every 162 minutes, and someone is injured every 32 minutes. Most fire deaths occur from smoke inhalation or toxic gases and not from burns. The primary cause of residential fires is carelessness while cooking.

It is important for people to take preventive measures to keep from being a fire statistic.

* Never leave food unattended on a stove.
* Keep cooking areas free of flammable objects (such as, potholders and towels).
* Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking.
* Never smoke in bed or leave burning cigarettes unattended.
* Do not empty smoldering ashes in a trash can, and keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.
* Never place portable space heaters near flammable materials (such as, drapery).
* Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children.
* Install smoke alarms on every floor of the home and particularly near rooms in which people sleep.
* Test all smoke alarms every month to ensure they work properly.
* Devise a family fire escape plan and practice it every 6 months.
* If possible, install or retrofit fire sprinklers into home

Fire injuries are some of the worst injuries we see as lawyers. Our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Personal Injury Law Firm compassionately represents individuals burned in fires and families of lost loved ones recover against homeowners insurance for deaths occurring from a fire.

Related Web Resources:

United States Fire Administration

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - Public Education

Posted by Michael Mednick | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Fire Injuries

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