Have you or a loved one suffered from a burn injury or smoke inhalation injury in Maryland or Washington, D.C? Was the fire that caused your injuries related to missing or defective smoke detectors? If so, reach out to the dedicated Prince George’s premises liability attorneys at Foran & Foran, P.A., to schedule a free consultation. At our Maryland burn injury law firm, we have decades of experience handling cases involving missing or defective smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and know what it takes to connect you with the compensation you deserve.
Maryland’s Laws on Smoke Detectors in Residential HomesMaryland law provides for strict regulations about the placement, testing and maintenance of smoke detectors. Below are some of the things you need to know:
Location Requirements
In new construction and major renovations, smoke detectors must be installed in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on every level of the dwelling, including basements.
For existing homes, smoke detectors must be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including basements, but not necessarily in each bedroom unless required by local jurisdiction.
Type of Detectors
Smoke detectors must be either battery-powered or hardwired into the electrical system of the house with a battery backup. Hardwired detectors are required in new constructions and major renovations.
Battery-powered detectors must have a sealed, long-life battery that lasts at least ten years.
Interconnection:
In new constructions and major renovations, smoke detectors must be interconnected so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound.
Maintenance of Smoke Detectors
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining smoke detectors, ensuring they are functional, and replacing batteries as needed (or replacing the entire unit if it uses a long-life battery).
Note that these regulations pertain to residential housing; there are different regulations governing commercial buildings.
Proving a Case for Burn Injuries and DamagesIn a premises liability case, the plaintiff has the burden of proof. Assuming the defendant can be held liable for the damages caused by the fire, the injured party is entitled to recover damages in these burn injury cases and smoke inhalation injury cases. Proving a case for damages against a landlord, for example, typically means illustrating that the landlord failed to place smoke detectors in the home or failed to maintain the smoke detectors in working condition.
Damages in Personal Injury Cases Involving Missing or Defective Smoke DetectorsDamages in a premises liability case involving a faulty smoke detector include but are not limited to property damage, past lost wages, past medical bills, future lost wages, future medical bills, pain and suffering, scarring and any permanent injury. However, you should be sure to save any photos of injuries to yourself, your loved ones or your property, as well as any receipts for physical property damage and a copy of your lease. This documentation will make proving your case much easier.
Speak With an Experienced Prince George’s Premises Liability Attorney With Specific Experience Handling Burn Injury CasesAt Foran & Foran, P.A., our attorneys work with many clients who sustain a variety of injuries, and we take pride in protecting the rights of those injured victims in all types of personal injury cases, premises liability cases, workers compensation cases, burn injuries and smoke inhalation injuries.
Let our family help your family with any burn injury or smoke inhalation injury case. Our lawyers have been handling premises liability cases in Maryland and the District of Columbia for decades. Burn injuries and smoke inhalation injuries can cause lasting permanent physical injuries, permanent breathing problems, physical scars and injuries, as well as emotional distress such as anxiety and depression. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, call us at 301-441-2022 or connect with us online by filling out our secure online form. We look forward to hearing from you.