Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless you are compensated for your injuries. 

Injuries We See After Industrial Fires

The human toll from a fire or explosion extends far beyond visible burns. Thermal burns may vary in depth, from superficial to full-thickness injuries that destroy skin and underlying tissues. Inhalation of smoke and heated gases can cause airway swelling, carbon monoxide toxicity, or cyanide poisoning. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that inhalation injuries remain a leading cause of death following major fires.

Blast overpressure or collapsing structures can create traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or complex fractures. Crush injuries often arise during evacuation when stairways or scaffolds fail. Workers exposed to arc flash may also experience electrical burns or cardiac complications. Secondary injuries include corneal burns and eye trauma from flying debris, as well as permanent hearing loss from sudden pressure changes. Psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress are common among survivors. Because these injuries are often catastrophic, recovery may involve long-term rehabilitation, prosthetics for amputation injuries, or permanent disability.

Defective Products and Fire Liability Claims

Many workplace fires trace back to defective components or unsafe product design. When a machine, tool, or electrical system fails, liability may arise against the product manufacturer, supplier, or service contractor. Product defects often involve failed safety interlocks, poorly insulated wiring, or suppression systems that did not function as intended. In some cases, warnings in manuals are inadequate or misleading, creating liability for failure-to-warn claims.

Battery management systems, control panels, and fire alarms can generate logs and telemetry that serve as key evidence. If a suppression system failed to discharge properly, design flaws or maintenance lapses may be implicated. Recalls involving industrial heaters, forklifts, or electrical panels can also establish that a defect was known and preventable. In this context, a claim may involve assistance from product liability attorneys who can evaluate whether defective design or manufacturing contributed to ignition or spread of fire. Linking evidence to design responsibility is essential for accountability and potential recovery.

Evidence to Preserve and How an Attorney Can Help

Preserving the fire scene is critical. Once debris is disturbed or equipment is discarded, key evidence may be lost. Origin-and-cause specialists rely on burn patterns, arc mapping, and metallurgical analysis to pinpoint how a fire began. Attorneys often secure suppression system data, alarm history, CCTV footage, or hot-work permits to reconstruct events. Maintenance logs and inspection records can reveal whether equipment was serviced appropriately.

In contractual environments, liability may also extend to contractors, vendors, or rental providers who supplied equipment without adequate safeguards. Purchase specifications and compliance documentation related to fire codes and NFPA standards can demonstrate whether safety requirements were met. Early involvement of legal counsel may prevent spoliation by ensuring defective components, circuit breakers, or gas valves are preserved for forensic testing. An attorney can coordinate expert analysis, retain investigators, and help ensure that critical records are protected for potential litigation.

Legal Recovery and Time Limits

Legal recovery after a workplace fire may involve multiple categories of damages, though the specifics depend on jurisdiction and case type. Recovery may be available for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, and in some cases wrongful death damages. Emotional and psychological harm may also be recognized in some legal systems.

Time limits, known as statutes of limitation, vary by state and type of claim. Missing these deadlines may prevent recovery altogether. For that reason, early legal consultation may be appropriate to evaluate potential claims. An attorney can review whether product liability, third-party contractors, or equipment manufacturers bear responsibility. Preservation of evidence during this early window often makes a significant difference in the ability to pursue recovery.

The Ammons Law Firm Can Help

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a workplace or industrial fire, legal consultation may be appropriate. Our attorneys have extensive experience evaluating complex industrial accidents, including fires linked to defective equipment and unsafe components. Whether injuries involve severe burns, smoke inhalation, spinal cord trauma, or wrongful death, we can investigate liability and review available recovery options.

A workplace fire attorney at The Ammons Law Firm can evaluate your case, coordinate necessary experts, and advise on the appropriate legal path forward. Speaking with personal injury attorneys about catastrophic injuries may provide clarity on the process and the next steps. Our team also works closely with burn injury attorneys when evaluating thermal injury claims.