Unexpected and Uncontrollable Fires

Motley Rice attorneys actively litigate complex fire cases involving personal injury and wrongful death. We represent residents, employees, consumers, travelers and other members of the public who have been harmed in catastrophic fires, including families of Charleston City firefighters who died in the fatal 2007 Sofa Super Store fire and the family of a fallen firefighter in Salisbury, NC. Our catastrophic injury attorneys have handled litigation related to hotel fires and transportation fires, including post-accident fires in planes and motor vehicles.

We have the experience and resources necessary to conduct and review fire investigations and to identify the possible legal responsibilities of the involved parties. In most cases, recovery for personal injury and loss resulting from a fire is sought under premises liability, negligence and product liability legal theories.

Premises Liability Cases

Motley Rice attorneys have handled cases of fire victims involving both commercial and residential premises liability, including fires at nursing home facilities, private homes, public locations, multi-family homes and lumber yards.

Depending on individual case facts and state laws, landowners, property managers, and in some situations, business suppliers, may be held responsible for failing to maintain safe living conditions or comply with housing standards. These cases frequently involve factors such as sprinklers, smoke alarms, fire escapes and the inappropriate storage of flammable materials in residential buildings and homes, workplace structures such as office buildings, manufacturing plants or refineries, or public areas.

Product Liability Cases

Although product liability laws vary by state, some statutes may allow fire victims and their families to seek recovery of damages from manufacturers, distributors or vendors of products that are unsafe or defective, as well as for a company’s failure to warn of product dangers and risks.