"When I was injured due to inadequate security at a retail center in Columbus, I felt completely lost. This firm quickly stepped in, investigated the facts, and held the property owner accountable for their negligence. They treated my case with dignity and professionalism, securing a settlement that covered my medical bills and lost wages. I highly recommend them for any crime-related injury on someone else's property."
Injury or Death from Blocked Fire Exits: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
Free Consultation
Ohio Injury or Death from Blocked Fire Exits: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Injury or Death from Blocked Fire Exits throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Fire Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Blocked Fire Exit Lawyers: Premises Liability for Fire Injuries
A property owner's negligence can turn a manageable fire into a fatal catastrophe. When a fire breaks out, every second counts, and blocked fire exits or obstructed means of egress can trap occupants, leading to severe burn injuries, smoke inhalation, panic-related injuries, or wrongful death. In Ohio, maintaining clear, accessible fire exits is a fundamental, non-negotiable duty of care for property owners, landlords, and businesses.
If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury in a fire because an exit was blocked or inaccessible, the responsible party must be held liable. Our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team handles complex fire-related Premises Liability claims, ensuring victims receive maximum compensation under the Ohio Fire Code and state law.
Owner Liability for Obstructed Means of Egress Under Ohio Law
Ohio's building and fire safety statutes impose strict requirements for maintaining clear and accessible emergency exits. A failure to comply is a direct breach of the legal duty of care and provides strong grounds for a negligence claim.
Ohio Fire Code and Means of Egress
The Ohio Fire Code, specifically referencing Ohio Admin. Code 1301:7-7-10 (Means of Egress) and related sections, mandates that all components of the means of egress system—including exit access, the exit, and exit discharge—must be continuously maintained and unobstructed. Key violations that lead to liability include:
- Blocking the Path: Allowing storage of combustible materials or merchandise in exits, exit enclosures, stairwells, or immediately outside the exit door.
- Failing to Maintain: Allowing exit doors to be locked, chained, or mechanically fail due to lack of maintenance, preventing occupants from escaping.
- Reducing Capacity: Altering a building in a manner that reduces the required number or width of the exits.
Establishing Negligence Per Se
Violations of the Ohio Fire Code regarding blocked fire exits often establish negligence per se (negligence as a matter of law). This means the owner's failure to maintain a clear exit is a violation of a specific safety statute, simplifying the process of proving the owner's breach of duty.
Proving Causation: Blocked Exits Worsened the Injury
In a fire injury case involving a blocked fire exit, we must prove that the obstruction directly aggravated the victim's injuries. Our investigations focus on linking the owner's negligence to the tragic outcome:
- Fire Marshal Reports: We obtain and analyze official fire reports to establish the cause of the fire and to document findings regarding the obstruction of exit paths.
- Witness Testimony: We gather accounts from survivors and employees confirming the exit was blocked by goods, equipment, or debris, delaying escape.
- Forensic Reconstruction: Fire engineers and safety experts reconstruct the evacuation timeline, demonstrating that had the exit been clear, the victim would have escaped with fewer, or no, injuries.
- Identifying Liable Parties: Liability may extend beyond the property owner to include the property manager, tenant, or commercial entity whose stored items created the obstruction.
Damages and Ohio's Statute of Limitations (R.C. 2305.10)
Injuries sustained when a blocked fire exit traps a victim are severe, often involving catastrophic burn injuries, lasting lung damage from smoke inhalation, and psychological trauma. We fight for comprehensive financial recovery:
- Hospitalization, Burn Center Treatment, and Rehabilitation Costs
- Compensation for Severe Burns, Disfigurement, and Respiratory Injuries
- Lost Wages, Loss of Future Earning Capacity, and Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering, Emotional Distress, and Wrongful Death Damages
The statute of limitations for a Personal Injury lawsuit in Ohio (R.C. § 2305.10) is typically two years from the date of the fire. Evidence of the obstruction is often quickly removed or lost, making immediate legal action essential.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one suffered devastating injuries in a fire due to blocked fire exits on a negligent property, we are ready to help you pursue justice.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
What Our Clients Say
After prolonged exposure to toxic mold at my workplace, I started experiencing severe health issues. Proving the connection to the business's negligence felt impossible until I hired this firm. They were brilliant, connecting my health problems to the landlord's failure to address water damage. They gave me my health and my life back by securing a significant settlement. For mold-related injury cases, they are unparalleled."
"My accident at a poorly maintained apartment complex pool in Dayton was terrifying. I suffered a serious head injury. This law firm was incredible; they immediately started investigating the pool's safety records and maintenance log. Their work resulted in a successful claim against the property management. If you've been injured at a pool in Ohio, you want this firm on your side."
"The defective stairs at a restaurant in Toledo caused a significant knee injury. The property owner initially refused to pay, but this firm took on the challenge. They brought in experts to show the code violations and built an undeniable case. Thanks to their legal expertise, I received a fair settlement that allows me to focus on my recovery. They truly excel with cases involving unsafe property conditions."
"My child was tragically bitten by a dog at a neighbor's property in Akron. Navigating the aftermath and dealing with the owners was incredibly stressful. The team at this law firm was compassionate yet fiercely effective. They understood Ohio's dog bite laws thoroughly and fought to ensure my child received the necessary medical care and compensation for their trauma. They are the best dog bite attorneys in the state."
"I had a terrible slip and fall accident on a wet floor at a grocery store in Cincinnati that led to a serious fracture. The store tried to deny responsibility, but this firm's meticulous preparation and dedication proved the store's negligence. They were communicative throughout the entire process, making a stressful situation much easier to handle. Choose them if you need a top-notch slip and fall lawyer."
Home • Attorney • Contact Us • Crime Related Injury • Slip and Fall Injury • Dog Bite / Animal Attack • Property Condition Injury • Fire / Smoke Injury • Pool Injuries • Toxic / Environmental Injury • Other Injuries • What is Premise Lability? • Compensation
PH: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 • OFFICE LOCATION • 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220