Two Hospitalized After Davie Apartment Fire: Legal Options After Burn Injuries in Florida

A devastating fire broke out at an apartment complex in Davie, Florida, on Tuesday afternoon, sending two individuals to the hospital after they were pulled from the flames by firefighters. The fire occurred around 2:45 p.m. in a building located in the 3700 block of Southwest 59th Avenue.

According to a spokesperson for Davie Fire Rescue, emergency crews acted swiftly, locating and removing the two victims from the burning apartment before transporting them to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. While their current conditions have not been disclosed, the quick actions of first responders likely saved their lives.

Local and state fire investigators are now working to determine what sparked the blaze.

Common Causes of Apartment Fires

Fires in apartment buildings can have devastating consequences, especially when proper safety measures are lacking. Some of the most common causes of residential fires include:

• Faulty electrical wiring
• Defective appliances or equipment
• Cooking accidents
• Negligent smoking indoors
• Flammable materials stored improperly
• Space heaters or HVAC malfunctions
• Absence of smoke detectors or fire extinguishers

In cases where negligence played a role, injured tenants or their families may have the right to seek compensation.

Who May Be Liable After an Apartment Fire in Florida?

Determining liability in a residential fire requires a thorough investigation. Multiple parties may be legally responsible, including:

1. The Property Owner or Landlord

Landlords have a legal obligation to maintain a safe and habitable living environment. They may be held liable if:

• Smoke detectors or fire alarms were not working or not installed.
• There were known electrical issues that were never repaired.
• The building lacked fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, or proper emergency exits.
• Flammable materials were improperly stored or construction didn’t meet code.

2. The Property Management Company

If a third-party company was responsible for day-to-day maintenance and failed to perform regular inspections or fix reported hazards, they may also bear liability.

3. Product Manufacturers

If a defective appliance or electrical product caused the fire (e.g., faulty space heater, refrigerator, or microwave), the manufacturer could be held accountable under Florida’s product liability laws.

Your Rights After an Apartment Fire Injury

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in an apartment fire, Florida law allows you to pursue a personal injury claim. Compensation may include:

• Medical bills (emergency care, hospital stays, rehabilitation)
• Future medical needs and therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Permanent scarring or disability
• Emotional trauma

If the injuries result in a fatality, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice and financial recovery.

Cases involving apartment fires are often complex and require a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire, building maintenance records, fire code compliance, and witness testimony. Insurance companies representing landlords and property managers may try to deny or minimize your claim.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have extensive experience handling fire-related injury cases. We work with fire experts, building inspectors, and medical professionals to build strong claims for our clients. We intentionally limit the number of cases we take so we can provide each client with personalized attention and aggressive representation.