If you’ve ever had to take your car to a repair shop, you know how inconvenient and time-consuming the repair process can be. Even worse, there’s times where you’ll be at a repair shop in California, and you’ll encounter possibly being burned or injured in a fire.

Fires bring a lot of uncertainty, but when it comes to your legal options, you can turn to Maison Law. Our team of experienced California fire injury lawyers have the experience and skills necessary to guide you through the recovery process. No matter what level of injury you’ve suffered, we can make sure you have what you need to aid in your physical and financial recovery.

Don’t hesitate–contact us today for a free consultation.

How Can a Fire Happen at a California Repair Shop?

While it’s not out of the realm of possibility, fires at repair shops aren’t necessarily an everyday happening in California. With that said, like any other place, when a fire does happen, it has the potential to be very costly–both in terms of your injuries and other damage that can result. Here’s a quick look at how these incidents usually happen:

Electrical issues – Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or electrical equipment malfunctions can spark electrical fires. Repair shops often use various machinery and tools, which can increase the risk of electrical problems.
Welding and cutting – Repair shops frequently involve welding and cutting metal, which generates intense heat. If not properly controlled or if flammable materials are nearby, these operations can lead to fires.
Flammable materials – Repair shops store a range of flammable materials, including fuels, oils, solvents, and paints. If these substances are mishandled, stored improperly, or come into contact with sparks or open flames, they can ignite.
Combustible dust – In some repair shops, such as those working on vehicles with brake components or grinding metal, combustible dust can accumulate. This fine dust can become explosive under certain conditions, causing fires or explosions.
Heat sources – Operations involving torches, grinders, or other tools that generate heat can inadvertently ignite nearby materials or chemicals if precautions are not taken.
Lack of fire safety measures – Insufficient fire safety measures, such as fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, or smoke detectors, can increase the risk of a small incident developing into a larger fire.
Human error – Accidents happen, and human errors like leaving equipment running unattended, not properly disposing of flammable materials, or failing to follow safety protocols can contribute to fires.

Who’s Responsible?

The main question you probably have is who is responsible for the fire accident that injured you. The answer depends on the circumstances, but boils down to whoever acted negligently and caused the fire that directly led to your injuries. Under normal circumstances, this could be any of the following:

Repair shop owner – The owner of the repair shop has a primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of the premises. This includes implementing fire safety measures, providing training to employees, maintaining equipment and electrical systems, and properly storing hazardous materials.
Repair shop employees or staff – Employees have a responsibility to follow safety protocols, handle materials and equipment correctly, and report any safety hazards or concerns to their supervisors.
Equipment manufacturers – If a fire is caused by a malfunction in equipment or machinery, the manufacturer of that equipment could be held liable if the equipment was defective or not properly maintained.
Property owner or landlord – If the repair shop is leased or rented, the property owner or landlord may have certain responsibilities related to building safety, such as ensuring the electrical system is in good condition and that fire safety measures are in place.

As you might expect, it can sometimes be difficult to narrow down the responsible party. However, that’s one of the areas our team of fire injury lawyers can help. With our experience and resources, we’ll help investigate the incident and figure out every avenue for getting you the treatment you deserve.

Severity of Fire Injuries in California

Whether it’s a burn or smoke inhalation, there’s a variety of different injuries that can happen to you if you’re involved in an auto repair shop fire in California. What sets a fire injury apart from others, though, is the long-lasting impact they can have on you and your family. Not only will you need extensive treatment and care in the short-term, but if your injuries are bad enough, you’ll likely need ongoing care and support as you move forward in life. This, in turn, can do damage to your quality of life and even your relationships. All in all, you could be looking at injuries that range from moderate to severe, and usually include:

Minor burns – These are superficial burns that affect only the top layer of the skin (epidermis). They typically cause redness, pain, and mild swelling but do not result in blistering or significant tissue damage. Most minor burns can be treated with basic first aid and heal without complications.
Moderate burns – These burns extend into the second layer of skin (dermis) and may result in blistering, more pronounced pain, and increased risk of infection. Moderate burns may require medical attention, such as cleaning, dressing changes, and, in some cases, skin grafts.
Severe burns – Severe burns are deep and can extend through all layers of the skin, damaging underlying tissues, muscles, and even bones. They are typically characterized by extensive blistering, charring, and intense pain. Severe burns often require specialized medical care, such as surgical intervention, wound management, and long-term rehabilitation. In some cases, they can be life-threatening due to the risk of infection, fluid loss, and organ dysfunction.
Inhalation injuries – In fires, you can inhale hot gasses, smoke, and toxic fumes. Inhalation injuries can range from mild irritation of the respiratory tract to severe lung damage, including chemical pneumonitis or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Severe inhalation injuries are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Secondary injuries – Besides burns and inhalation injuries, you may also sustain secondary injuries, such as fractures, lacerations, or trauma resulting from the fire’s impact or their attempts to escape.

So, when you’ve suffered a burn or fire injury, you’re looking at extensive medical bills and other losses. That’s why it’s important to understand what you need to do to set up a claim and how the legal process for that claim will work.

What Should You Do After Being Injured By a Fire at a California Auto Repair Shop?

Even when liability is determined, there are crucial steps to take after a fire injury to protect your rights and health. Your ability to receive benefits under the law often depends on the strength of your claim, typically filed with the auto shop owner’s insurance company. Here’s what you should do:

Get medical attention – Fires can cause severe injuries and potential infections. Even seemingly minor wounds should be treated promptly by a healthcare professional to prevent complications.
Identify the shop and owner – If possible, get the repair shop’s information and any contact information for their insurance, along with any witnesses to the incident. This information is valuable for establishing liability and seeking support for your injuries.
Report the incident – Notify the shop and local fire department about the fire. They can assist in putting out the fire and even creating a report about the incident.
Document the incident – Take photos of your injuries and the location of the fire. Write down a detailed description of the incident, including the date, time, and place, as well as relevant information about the shop and what actions they took.

Following these steps is crucial to safeguard your health and legal rights after a fire. California’s liability law holds repair shop owners accountable for their employees’ actions, allowing you to pursue a claim for your damages. However, the process can be complex, so it’s in your best interest to consult with our experienced team of fire injury lawyers who can guide you through the legal process and ensure your rights are upheld.

Damages in a California Fire Injury Claim

In order to get much-needed financial support and benefits under the law, you’ll need to file a claim for damages. Usually this is done by:

Filing an insurance claim
Filing a personal injury lawsuit

No matter which option you choose, you’ll be able to recover certain costs associated with your injury. Depending on the particulars of your accident, these damages may include:

Medical expenses – This covers the cost of medical treatment related to the fire injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, medication, rehabilitation, and any future medical care required for recovery.
Lost wages – If the fire injury resulted in time away from work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This can include both past income lost due to the injury and potential future income if your ability to work has been impaired.
Pain and suffering – This category compensates you for the physical and emotional distress caused by the fire injury. It accounts for pain, suffering, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Disfigurement or scarring – If the fire injury leaves you with visible scars or disfigurement, you can seek compensation for the physical and emotional impact of these permanent changes to your appearance.
Property damage – If personal property was damaged or destroyed in the fire, such as clothing or personal belongings, you may be entitled to reimbursement for the replacement or repair of these items.
Loss of companionship – In some cases, the spouse or family members of the injured person may be eligible for compensation for the loss of companionship and support resulting from the injury.
Punitive damages – In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the repair shop’s actions were especially reckless or intentional, serving as a deterrent against similar behavior.

Contact Our California Fire Injury Lawyers Today

When you’ve been injured in an auto repair shop fire, you’re probably looking for answers. At Maison Law, our team of dedicated fire injury lawyers can answer any question you may have relating to a possible legal claim and your options. We’ll gladly provide you with an outline of the process and what you need to do to recover from your injuries. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Fire Injuries at Auto Repair Shops In California