According to the Los Angeles Times and Daily Pilot, an apartment fire in Costa Mesa, California has killed a 17 year old boy, who apparently died at the hospital from his smoke inhalation and burn injuries. Two other people and a firefighter also sustained injuries from the fire, which may have included burn injuries and/or smoke inhalation, but they were able to be treated and released from the hospital.
The cause of the Costa Mesa apartment fire is unknown, and may have started in a garage that was converted into a living space. Investigators are also trying to determine the legality of the living space. Depending on what investigators find as to liability, the family of the deceased boy may be able to make a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
We have previously commented on the many dangers of apartment fires in Los Angeles and throughout California, including the serious risks of burn injuries. Burn injury victims should obtain proper medical care right away as these injuries can be very serious and potentially life threatening. The proper medical care can make a huge difference in the recovery time and the extent of scarring. Depending on where the burn is, scar damage from burn injuries can be traumatizing and life altering.
California and, specifically, Los Angeles apartment fire injuries and deaths occur very frequently and often can be prevented by a few simple steps. If you or a loved one are injured in an apartment fire in California, call our office, as we have been handling burn injury and other injury cases for over 30 years. We can help you deal with the trauma and hardship that such a disaster creates, including finding the right doctors to treat your injuries. Burn injury victims should call our office now for a free consultation: 1-866-INJURY-2 [1-866-465-8792].