Smoking While Snoozing Caused My House To Burn Down.
Many people like to relax at the end of a long day and enjoy one last cigarette before drifting off to sleep. But what happens when you fall asleep without snuffing out the cigarette butt? A hotel guest recently found out in an up-close and personal way. A man staying in a hotel fell asleep while smoking, caught his mattress on fire, and caused a total of $20,000 in damage to the room. Thankfully no one was harmed, but they certainly could have been, and now the man faces legal and financial repercussions.
Smoking Related Fires
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports the following statistics for smoking related fires:
- In 2011, an estimated 90,000 smoking-material fires occurred in the U.S.. These flames resulted in 540 civilian deaths, 1,640 civilian injuries and $621 million in property damage.
- One in four victims who lose their life from smoking-material fires are not the smoker whose cigarette ignited the flames.
- The majority of fatalities are caused from fires that began in bedrooms (40%), or in living rooms, family rooms or dens (35%).
- Almost one half (46%) of fatal home smoking-material fire victims were over the age of 65.
What to Do When Your House Burns Down
There is more to consider when you have a house fire besides just damages. When our homes are damages, we typically turn to homeowners insurance to recover damages and make necessary repairs. But what if the insurance company attempts to deny your claim, stating you are responsible for intentionally setting your home on fire in an attempt to collect the money? If you are in this situation, connect with an experienced attorney at your earliest convenience to discuss your options. Some things you will want to consider are:
- Property damage
- Cost of repairs
- Insurance claims
- Criminal charges
- Criminal defense
Riverside and Century City, California Arson Lawyer
Kia law serves clients throughout the state of California with any kind of accident related cases and criminal cases. We are on your side and will fight on behalf of your rights. Call (855) 662-2723 today to speak with a qualified and experienced lawyer in California.