Six People Die in Rural Indiana House Fire

Jan 28, 2019

A house fire in Logansport, Indiana left two people in the hospital and killed six more. Two adults and four children perished in the fire in rural Cass County. The two adults who escaped are in stable condition in the hospital. An inspection of the home showed that the fire was not intentionally set, and it is believed to have been caused due to an electrical issue. There were no working smoke detectors inside the home according to officials.

Causes of House Fires

House fires are a tremendous risk during this time of year but can happen year-round. Although a variety of things can cause a house fire, some of the most common includes, but are not limited to, the following:

Defective products such as electric blankets, space heaters, stoves, toys, etc.
Faulty construction
Failure to properly clean or maintain heating equipment such as chimneys and space heaters

While most fires are accidental, many of them are the result of negligence or fault of another person or company. In this case, you may have legal options and should contact a personal injury attorney.

Who May be Held Liable After a House Fire?

After a severe house fire, the first thing that will be determined is the cause of the fire. After that, it will be determined which parties could be found at fault for the fire. The at-fault parties may include:

A landlord for failing to maintain and provide fire extinguishers
A neighboring tenant who failed to replace smoke detector batteries
The owner of the home who failed to maintain the premises
A property manager who failed to repair electrical issues
The manufacturer who created a flawed heating system
The electrical company that installed faulty wiring

Sometimes there is no clear-cut reason for the fire because the fire was so intense that it destroyed all evidence. If that happens, negotiations take place with the insurance company to cover the loss. If the insurance denies a claim, you may be entitled to file a bad faith claim.

Damages Available After a House Fire

As with other wrongful death or personal injury claims, the state of Indiana has laws that state that damages may be awarded to the victims for damages they suffer in a house fire. These may include medical costs, pain and suffering, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, and more.

Property losses for the structure and items inside the home may also be awarded after a catastrophic house fire. The value of the contents and the home will be claimed in addition to the injury claims.

Contact an Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or your loved one have been injured or died in a devastating house fire, it can be stressful and overwhelming. It can be even more shocking to find out that the fire was the result of someone else’s neglect or due to a defective product. The attorneys at Tanzillo, Stassin & Babcock, P.C. will review your case and determine if you have a claim for compensation. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and let us help you get the compensation that you are entitled to.