Many home and business owners enjoy decorating for the holidays, both inside and outside of their house or building. These decorations add a big dose of holiday spirit to the holiday season. But, with most of these decorations requiring the use of electricity, they also pose a potential fire hazard. In fact, hundreds of U.S. homes experience electrical fires during the holidays each year.
How Many Homes Suffer Electrical Fires During the Holidays?
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were an estimated 835 home fires annually sparked by holiday decorations (excluding Christmas trees) between 2018-2022. In addition, an average of 155 home fires per year are started by Christmas trees, and electrical issues are involved in over 40 percent of those fires.
When holiday home décor sparks a fire and leads to serious injuries, victims are often left wondering about their options for legal recourse. If you or a loved one was injured by a holiday décor fire, you may be eligible to pursue a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner or a products liability lawsuit against a manufacturer if their negligence led to your injuries.
When Holiday Decorations Turn Hazardous
Holiday decorations can pose serious fire hazards in the home, especially as families plug in more lights and bring flammable materials into living spaces. What should be festive and bright can quickly become dangerous if something sparks, overheats, and then ignites.
- Spark and fire risks. Light strands and other electric decorations can overheat or create sparks when they’re damaged, overloaded, or improperly installed. A single spark near a dry tree, fabric, or paper décor can cause a fast-moving fire.
- Candle and flame dangers. Open flames from candles or warmers can easily catch nearby decorations on fire, especially when they’re left unattended.
How to Know if You have a Holiday Décor Fires Accident Claim
Property owners are legally obligated to keep their premises safe for anyone who enters, including for guests and others who may visit the property. Holiday décor manufacturers have a duty to end-users to ensure their products are designed, produced, and labeled in a way that minimizes the risk of injury or fire.
If a property owner or manufacturer’s negligence leads to an accident involving their holiday decorations, they may be liable for any damages suffered by the victim.
Examples of property owner negligence include:
- Failure to inspect and repair decorations before installation
- Failure to secure or remove decorations in adverse weather conditions
- Choosing to plug in too many electrical decorations on a single circuit, which increases the risk of electrical fires
- Using homemade or non-compliant decorations that do not meet safety standards and state building codes
Examples of manufacturer negligence include:
- Designing decorations with faulty wiring that can overheat or spark
- Failing to include proper safety warnings or instructions for use
- Using flammable or substandard materials that increase the risk of fire
- Manufacturing products that do not meet established safety standards or certifications
What Damages Can You Recover in a Holiday Décor Fire Injury Claim?
When injuries from a holiday décor fire are caused by the negligence of a property owner or manufacturer, the injured party can seek compensation for a variety of damages including: medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and more. The purpose of a fire injury claim is to hold the responsible party accountable and provide the victim with the financial support they need to recover and move forward as much as possible after a preventable tragedy.
An experienced, local injury attorney can discuss your legal rights, gather evidence, and negotiate for the maximum possible settlement on your behalf.
Seek the Help of a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
