From 1998 to 2007, a total of 1,377 firefighters died in the line of duty. 405 of these deaths resulted from structural collapses. 344 of the 405 deaths were in the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.
60% or more of the structural collapse fatalities occur when firefighters get caught or trapped in the structure. The remaining structural collapse fatalities occur when an object within the structure strikes the firefighter. The proportion of deadly structural collapses that occur in burning residential homes has increased in the last decade in comparison to structural collapse fatalities in other types of structures. (This data excludes the deaths resulting from the World Trade Center collapse.)
During this summer of 011, Texas has seen far more than its usual number of fires. Thousands of structures have burned, and tens of thousands of acres have been consumed by fire. Those structures that don’t burn to the ground often must be entered and tested for structural integrity before owners can return to the property.
Structural collapses from weakened support timbers and burned structural connections can happen quickly and without warning, either during a fire or after. Injuries from structural collapse accidents can be permanently disfiguring or disabling. Don’t enter a burned building until fire officials have tested the structure and given you the go ahead.
If insurance will pay for your injuries and losses,
How you can prove the validity of your claim, and
What steps to take to make a successful recovery,
Chad and Tony could ably advise you every step of the way. Most lawyers have never handled a single structural collapse claim. Tony and Chad have handled several such claims, some of them in high profile cases. So don’t hesitate. Call today. Your initial case evaluation consultation is free. And it could arm you with the knowledge you need to make informed choices about what to do following your structural collapse accident.