A wind-swept fire that raced through a Brooklyn, New York, apartment building killed one tenant and injured 20 firefighters. Dozens of other residents were forced outside into the cold, some in their bare feet, chased by thick black smoke that enveloped the six-floor building in the Flatbush section.
More than 200 firefighters were eventually called to battle the fire, which moved quickly through the building while spurred by 50 mph winds. Outside, water from fire hoses quickly turned to ice due to the subfreezing temperature.
The fire victim who died in the fire was a 64-year old woman. She was found inside her apartment, the apparent victim of smoke inhalation. Of the firefighters injured in the fire, two were treated for burns, while the others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Like police officers, firefighters are faced with a dangerous duty, like the Brooklyn fire, that could cause serious injuries or even death. While firefighters and most other public servants are usually covered by health insurance, serious injuries that occurred on the job are cause for consulting with an attorney.
This is especially true if the injuries lead to financial difficulties, either through hospital bills or loss of work. A workplace injury could occur as a result of negligence on the part of an individual or property owner. Slips, falls, burns and exposure to hazardous chemicals are but a few of the potential liability claims that can be made on behalf of an injured firefighter against an individual or property owners.
In New York, firefighters who suffer serious burns or other injuries on the job can seek redress through the courts, particularly if the injuries lead to a permanent disability. These individuals should locate a personal injury attorney experienced in representing firefighters.
