Late morning on Saturday, April 13th, Denver Fire Department firefighters were made aware of two structures on fire on West 39th Avenue and Clay Street around 11:45 am.

Once the initial firefighters arrived and assessed the scene they called for more firefighters and were able to get the fire under control. In total, 75 firefighters were on the scene helping to control the fire.

According to the Denver Fire Department, nine buildings total were involved – three homes and six detached garages.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. One firefighter was evaluated for smoke inhalation but was able to quickly return to work.

Local news reports shared that one family was displaced from their home, while the other two homes sustained damage only to the outside of the structures.

A fire department spokesperson reported neighbors said they heard a loud explosion just before the fire started. The department is investigating the fire to determine the cause.

What Legal Options Do Victims Of Fires Have?

The aftermath of experiencing a residential fire can be devastating both emotionally and financially. Residential fires can cause extensive damage, cause you to lose some or most of your belongings, and may leave you with injuries, depending on the circumstances.

Victims of residential fires may have legal recourse, depending on the cause of the fire. After the fire, victims tend to file a claim with their insurance. Unfortunately, insurance claims are not always a smooth process.

Insurance companies’ main priority is to protect their bottom line, and this means they may offer victims lowball settlements, flat-out deny policy holder’s claims, or unreasonably delay processing or payment.

In other cases, the fire the victim experienced may be due to the negligence of another person or entity.

In either case, it is likely in the victim’s best interest to hire a lawyer with experience handling insurance claims and property damage claims.

“What the family in Denver has gone through is devastating,” says Kevin Hannon, an attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “our hearts go out to the family affected by this incident. I’ve seen firsthand how the aftermath of a fire like this can impact victims. It’s important that law enforcement determine the cause so that the family can get the justice they deserve.”

Safety Tips To Help Prevent Fires and Minimize Damages

Victims of fires potentially have a lot to lose, including their belongings, their home, pets, and even their own lives. In the aftermath of such tragedies, the importance of incorporating fire prevention methods fire prevention methods is highlighted. Some things that can be done to help prevent fires include:

• Installing and maintaining smoke alarms throughout your home
• Develop and practice a fire escape plan with your family
• Exercise caution with cooking appliances and heat sources
• Properly store flammable materials
• Regularly inspect electrical wiring and outlets for signs of wear or damage
• Ensure any and all electrical work is done by a licensed professional
• Monitor power lines and promptly report any signs of damage, wear, or sparking
• Request for your electric company to conduct regular inspections and maintenance for electrical infrastructure

Incorporating these tips can help mitigate the risk of fires and help keep you and your loved ones safe.

If you have experienced a residential fire, contact Singleton Schreiber today by calling (866) 331-9303 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Just before 9:30 pm Saturday, April 13th, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters were dispatched with a report of a house fire. The house, located in the 300 block of W 82nd Street in the Florence neighborhood, was vacant.

According to LAFD, 40 firefighters had extinguished the fire in just over 15 minutes.

Shortly after arriving on the scene, firefighters found a female civilian wounded outside the building. She was transported to a local hospital by LAFD paramedics. Her connection to the fire is unknown. No other individuals were found in or around the structure.

LAFD is currently working to determine the cause of the fire and the connection of the woman found outside the home.

Understanding Premises Liability: Responsibilities and Legal Implications

The aftermath of the recent fire incident in Los Angeles this week highlights the importance of the legal concept of premises liability and the role it plays in cases like these. Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners to ensure the safety of individuals on their property– including tenants, visitors, and trespassers. Yes, even trespassers are owed a certain level of care in California.

Property owners must identify and mitigate potential hazards on their premises, including slippery floors, uneven walkways, or inadequate security measures. Failure to fulfill this duty can result in their legal liability should someone be injured due to their negligence.

In California, property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and licensees on their property. Invitees include visitors, guests, and tenants. Licensees include customers and those involved in business. However, they also owe trespassers a certain duty of care, though not as high a duty as the other parties.

Trespassers are defined in California Penal Code 602 as someone who enters another’s property without permission or the legal right to do so. While they are not owed the same level of care as invitees or licensees, property owners cannot willfully or intentionally harm them.

Property owners may be held liable for trespassers injuries if:

• The property contains an attractive nuisance and a child is hurt. An example of an attractive nuisance is a pool.
• The property owner intentionally causes harm. An example of this would be a property owner setting a trap to injure a trespasser or using excessive force against a trespasser.
• The property owner fails to warn of known damages. An example of this would be if a property owner knows people trespass fairly regularly and they create a dangerous condition, like digging a hole, that can purposely or accidentally harm trespassers. Property owners must post a warning sign or block off the area.

“The cause and circumstances of the fire that occurred in LA over the weekend are still unknown, but I’m confident the LAFD and LAPD will get to the bottom of it,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Determining the cause and how the individual found on the scene was injured is essential to rectifying the situation.”

If you have been injured due to premises liability, contact Singleton Schreiber today by calling (866) 331-9303 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Just after 7:30 pm on Sunday, April 14th, a gray Toyota Corolla traveling eastbound on Oceanside Boulevard in Oceanside, California collided with three pedestrians crossing the road. The crash occurred 100 yards west of the College Boulevard intersection according to Sergeant Clint Bussey.

All three pedestrians that were struck were taken to local hospitals. One victim was pronounced dead at Tri-City Medical Center, and the other two were taken to Palomar Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials have withheld the identity of the deceased pedestrian so the family can be notified.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene of the crash. Bussey reported that the driver was not under the influence and that speed was not a factor in the cause of the collision.

Police are currently investigating the circumstances that lead to the collision.

Pedestrians Safety Tips

Pedestrians are vulnerable in accidents involving vehicles due to the sheer contrast in size and protection between a person and a moving vehicle. When a pedestrian is involved in a collision with a vehicle, the consequences can be severe, and in some cases, life threatening.

The primary reason pedestrians are so vulnerable is their lack of physical protection. Occupants in vehicles are surrounded by heavy metal frames, seat belts, and air bags, while pedestrians have little to no shield protecting them from the force of impact. As a result, even low-speed collisions can lead to significant injuries to pedestrians such as broken bones, internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more.

“Pedestrians are at a disadvantage in terms of visibility and predictability,” says Brett Schreiber an attorney at Singleton Schreiber,  “Drivers are conditioned to anticipate the movements of other vehicles on the road, but pedestrians can be more difficult to predict and see, particularly in low light conditions, or when driver’s view is obstructed by objects like parked cars or foliage.

It is important for pedestrians to know they have rights, but to also exercise caution while walking. The accident that occurred in San Diego this weekend is tragic, our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”

Pedestrians can act unpredictably due to distractions or impairment. Similar to driving distracted or under the influence, maneuvering the road on foot while using phones or other electronic devices can reduce pedestrian’s awareness of their surroundings and increase the likelihood of accidents. Similarly, pedestrians under the influence of drugs or alcohol may exhibit impaired judgment and coordination, increasing their vulnerability on the road.

To mitigate the risk of accidents, pedestrians can take the following steps to help keep themselves safe:

• Use designated crosswalks
• Obey traffic signals
• Look both ways before crossing any street
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings
• Walk facing traffic if no sidewalks are available
• Make yourself as visible as possible by wearing bright clothes and reflective gear
• Stay on sidewalks when they are available
• Avoid walking while under the influence

To mitigate the risks of being in a collision with pedestrians, drivers can take the following steps to help keep pedestrians safe:

• Be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially in areas like school zones, residential neighborhoods, and crosswalks
• Adhere to posted speed limits, and slow down if there are pedestrians around
• Avoid distracted driving
• Give pedestrians the right-of-way at all times
• Thoroughly check for pedestrians crossing the street before making a turn at an intersection
• Be patient

If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident contact Singleton Schreiber at (619) 771-3473 or by email at info@singletonschreiber.com.