Spencer Johnson, 26, died after being transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Parkway campus, Morgan County coroner Jeff Chunn said. Firefighters responded to the report of a fire in a unit at Foxboro Apartments on Milligan Street on Saturday afternoon. A firefighter suffered unspecified injuries. It’s unclear why Johnson wasn’t able to evacuate the apartment. The fire remains under the investigation.
Legal Analysis: Apartment complexes have a responsibility to provide adequate protection for tenants from fire and smoke. This case is currently under investigation, but I am sure that the fire department is checking for adequate fire and smoke detectors as well as escape routes for the residents.
Another potential culprit is a faulty fire & smoke detector. If the fire & smoke detector did not sound an alarm due to faulty design, the company can be held liable. This is called a product liability case. In product liability cases such as this, the plaintiff would have to prove that the faulty design or workmanship of the detector led to the cause of death for the occupant of the apartment.
About the Author: Eric Guster is a personal injury attorney who represents the victims and families of all catastrophic accidents. He is known nationwide for his analysis of legal issues on networks such as Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. If you are in need of legal assistance, do not wait. Call Eric Guster at Guster Law Firm today at 205-581-9777 or email Eric@gusterlawfirm.com
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