Fires can be absolutely devastating events for businesses and commercial property owners. Beyond the obvious structural damage, fires often bring operations to a halt and cause lasting disruptions. When people are injured or perish in the fire, it can be devastating.
If your property has suffered fire damage and people were injured, an experienced Southern Pines commercial property damage lawyer from our team can work on your behalf to recover full and fair compensation.
At Whitley Law Firm, our Southern Pines fire damage lawyers have been serving seriously injured individuals in North Carolina since 1974. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and pursuing the maximum insurance coverage for you. Protect your business and your future by reaching out to us today.
Comprehensive Investigation
Fires can lead to many types of damages that must be properly investigated, documented, and valued, including:
- Structural damage to walls, floors, roofs, and building integrity
- Smoke and soot damage to surfaces, equipment, inventory, and air quality
- Water damage from firefighting efforts saturating the property
- Damage to electrical wiring, HVAC systems, and other infrastructure
- Lost income/business interruption while repairs are made
Our personal injury lawyers in Southern Pines conduct exhaustive investigations using experts and modern techniques to calculate the true total repair costs, rebuild expenses, lost profits during downtimes, and any other economic damages.
Our lawyers fight aggressively against insurance tactics to devalue or dispute legitimate damages.
The Whitley Advantage isn’t just one thing – it’s everything.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800)785-5000Common Injuries Sustained in Commercial Property Fires
Fires in commercial properties can cause serious injuries that may have life-altering consequences. Whether the fire occurs in an office building, retail space, restaurant, or industrial facility, victims often face not only physical injuries but also emotional and financial hardship.
The following are common injuries sustained in a commercial property fire:
Severe Burns
Burn injuries are one of the most devastating consequences of a fire. Burns can range from minor first-degree burns to life-threatening third-degree burns that require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts and surgery.
In many cases, severe burns lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, and a long recovery period. Victims may also suffer psychological trauma related to their injuries, including anxiety and depression.
Compensation for burn injuries may cover medical costs, rehabilitation, reconstructive surgeries, and pain and suffering.
Smoke Inhalation
Even without direct contact with flames, breathing in smoke can be very harmful. The toxic fumes from a fire can cause breathing problems, lung damage, and other serious health issues.
People affected by smoke inhalation may need ongoing treatment and therapy. Compensation can help cover these medical expenses.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Fires release dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide, which is invisible and can make people very sick or even cause death. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, and confusion. In serious cases, victims may suffer long-term brain damage.
If you have experienced carbon monoxide poisoning from a fire, you might be able to receive financial help for your recovery.
Injuries From Falling Debris
During a fire, parts of the building, like walls or ceilings, can collapse. This falling debris can cause broken bones, head injuries, and other serious harm. These injuries often require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
If you’ve been hurt by falling debris, the compensation you might receive can help you cover your medical treatment and lost income.
Emotional Trauma
Fires don’t just cause physical injuries—they can also affect mental health. Many individuals affected by fires experience stress, anxiety, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Therapy or counseling may be needed to cope with the emotional aftermath of a fire. You can also seek compensation for emotional suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire at a commercial property, our Southern Pines property fire damage lawyers can review your legal options and determine the financial relief you can demand for injuries you or another suffered. Call us today for a free consultation.
Southern Pines Southern Pines Fire Damage Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000
What to Do If You Have Suffered Injuries
If you’ve been injured in a fire, taking the right steps can help protect your health and your ability to seek compensation. Here’s what you should do:
- Get medical attention right away: Your health is the top priority. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to get checked by a doctor. Some injuries, like smoke inhalation, can worsen over time.
- Document your injuries: Take photos of any visible injuries and keep a detailed record of your medical treatments. This documentation can support your claim for compensation.
- Report the fire: If you were injured in a commercial property fire, make sure the incident is reported to the proper authorities and the property owner or manager.
- Keep records of expenses: Save all medical bills, receipts for medication, and other related costs. You may be able to recover these expenses in a claim.
- Speak with our fire damage lawyers: Our legal professionals will explain your rights and guide you through the legal process.
This firm has always been about people and helping them.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800)785-5000Thorough Damages Evaluation
We accurately calculate your total economic damages – a step where insurance companies are known to take unwarranted shortcuts. Some of the most common losses and damages can include:
- Current and future lost profits from business interruption
- Complete costs for repairing/rebuilding to restore pre-fire conditions
- Expenditures for code upgrades and safety improvements
- Value of destroyed inventory, equipment, furniture, and other contents
- Temporary relocation and operating costs
- Various other economic losses caused by the fire incident
Armed with comprehensive evidence and damage valuations, our fire damage attorneys serving Southern Pines take over all communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters. We assertively present the facts and counter any efforts by their representatives to downplay or dispute your documented losses.
At Whitley Law Firm, we aim to maximize the claim settlement, using litigation as leverage if needed to increase offer amounts.
We are committed to the highest quality client service and one-on-one attention.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800)785-5000Aggressive Representation Against Insurance Companies
While property insurance is essential for protecting businesses against catastrophic losses like fires, dealing with insurance companies is often an uphill battle.
Their adjusters and representatives are incentivized to minimize claim payouts as much as possible to protect the company’s bottom line. Our Southern Pines fire damage attorneys are backed with the resources and experience to level the playing field.
Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Underpay Claims
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, investigators, and lawyers whose chief aim is disputing and devaluing your claim at every opportunity. Some common tactics they deploy include:
- Arguing the fire was caused by negligence on your part to deny coverage
- Underestimating the extent or cost of repairs and rebuilding needed
- Minimizing or disputing smoke, soot, water, and other secondary damages
- Refusing to cover code upgrades required by current building regulations
- Severely undercounting your projected lost revenue and business interruption costs
Their adjusters may use ambiguous policy language, contradictory statements, delaying tactics, or flat-out make lowball settlement offers in hopes you simply accept it out of desperation to recover something. We know all the schemes they use, and are ready to counter them aggressively.
Our Southern Pines Fire Damage Lawyers Fight Forcefully Against Bad Faith
We have extensive experience taking on insurance companies that act in bad faith. We understand the impacts a fire can have on your property, operations, and finances – so we take an uncompromising stance against unfair or unreasonable denials and underpayments.
Our knowledge of insurance laws and claims processes allows us to present facts, evidence, thorough calculations, and legal arguments that hold adjusters accountable. We anticipate their actions so we can counter predictable attempts to reduce your rightful claim.
Our communications put them on notice that we will not tolerate delays, undervaluations, or underhanded tactics.
Clear Communication and Advice
Throughout the entire life cycle of your claim, we are committed to keeping you informed with clear advice and responsive communication. We take the time to break down complexities, explain where we are at each phase, outline our legal strategy, and answer your questions.
Our role is to provide you with confident legal counsel to lift the burden of stress from your shoulders. Dealing with insurance companies after a serious fire can quickly become overwhelming.
Don’t attempt to take them on alone—you deserve maximum compensation, and we fight to make that happen.
Call Us Today for Help From a Southern Pines Fire Damage Lawyer – Free Consultation
If your Southern Pines business has been devastated by a fire and people have suffered injuries, don’t try to battle the insurance companies alone.
You need aggressive legal representation from a team with over 120 years of combined experience protecting the rights of business owners and maximizing fire damage claims. The Southern Pines fire damage lawyers at Whitley Law Firm have been pursuing just compensation for clients since 1974.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can fight to recover your losses and get your operations back on track.
Learn about what makes us unique and why we are the right firm to help you.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800)785-5000