Maria Leal Portage, IN: Fire Tragically Claims Life.
We have over 25 years of experience representing victims of fire safety negligence and security failures across the United States, and we have recovered nearly $250 million dollars for our Clients. Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available to Maria Leal’s family.
Portage, IN NEWS – An apartment fire in Portage, IN early Tuesday morning, September 17, 2024, tragically claimed one life.
As reported by CBSnews.com, “[a]t 12:10 a.m. Tuesday, a ground-floor unit was on fire in a building in [local apartments] on Willowdale Court in Portage. The police and fire departments were called to the scene, and officers helped evacuate the building that was on fire—as well as the one next door.”
According to the report, “[f]irefighters put out the fire, and rescued a resident who was trapped on a second-floor balcony.” Per the report, “[o]nce the fire was out, a woman was found in the ground-floor unit where the blaze is believed to have started.
According to CBSnews.com, “[s]he was rushed to a nearby hospital, but it was too late, and she died of injuries that it is believed she suffered in the fire…[t]he 87-year-old woman who was killed in the fire was identified as Maria Leal.”
ABC7Chicago.com is reporting, “a K-9 detected flammable liquids at the scene, and a suspect allegedly made threats to start the fire.”
Fire inspectors continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
Potential Legal Claims for Family of Maria Leal?
Our Legal Take
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As authorities continue their investigation, premises liability attorneys with The Murray Law Firm question whether a lack of security or fire safety measures at the complex may have contributed to this incident.
- Was the property owner or manager aware of any suspicious activity prior to the incident?
- Were any security personnel at the property?
- What fire safety measures, such as working smoke detectors, fire sprinklers and emergency exits, were in place and working at the time of the fire?
- When was the last fire inspection performed on the property?
- Were any safety measures added after any previous inspections?
- Was the property owner aware of any inadequate fire safety measures present prior to the fire?
As details of this fire continue to emerge, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the apartment complex failed to undertake proper safety measures to protect those residents and guests legally on the premises. Under certain State law, the owner and management company of an apartment complex have a duty to protect residents and to keep the premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this duty, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a consequence. Should the apartment complex be found at fault, the family of Maria Leal may elect to hold the owner and management company civilly liable for their loss and suffering.
As insurance companies and unscrupulous property owners are often concerned with limiting their financial exposure in these incidents, it is crucial that the family of Maria Leal retain an experienced premises liability firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as a faulty fire alarm or a poor evacuation plan, is preserved and the family’s best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in premises liability and apartment negligence cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.
If anyone has information to share, or if anyone is seeking information regarding this incident, please contact us at 888.842.1616. You can also read similar potential cases in the Legal Take section of our site.
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The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of property and security negligence. We have obtained nearly $250 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including:
- A $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property.
- Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a victim of gun violence at an apartment complex.
- Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a family who lost a loved one to gun violence at a commercial property.
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