Fires destroy more than buildings. In Georgia, they take lives, leave lasting physical scars, and change families forever. The smoke, the heat, the panic—all of it happens in moments. What follows is often worse: months or years of recovery, medical bills, funeral costs, or the loss of a home and every piece of a life built inside it. The truth is, many of these fires didn’t have to happen. Too often, they’re the result of someone cutting corners, ignoring fire codes, or selling a dangerous product that never should have left the shelf.
Georgia Fire Injury Attorney
When that happens, a Georgia fire lawyer steps in—not just to take legal action, but to hold people accountable. At McArthur Law Firm, we don’t let landlords, manufacturers, or corporate defendants shift blame and walk away.
McArthur Law Firm serves Fulton County, Bibb County and Fulton County, as well as Clayton County, Cherokee County, Forsyth County, and other counties in Georgia. For more information about the McArthur Law Firm or to set up a free consultation to learn what we may be able to do to help you with your personal injury case, give us a call at one of our offices in Georgia or fill out our online contact form.
- Atlanta Office: 404-565-1621
- Macon Office: 478-238-6600
- Warner Robins: 478-551-9901
Overview of Fire Injuries
- Types of Fires in Georgia
- Injuries That Fires Cause in Georgia
- Determining Liability in a Georgia Fire
- What a Georgia Fire Injury Lawyer Does
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Additional Resources
Types of Fires in Georgia
House Fires In Georgia — These are one of the most common types of fires, often starting because of cooking accidents, space heaters placed too close to flammable materials, overloaded electrical outlets, or faulty wiring in older homes. In some cases, the fire starts because a landlord failed to fix known hazards or didn’t provide working smoke detectors.
Apartment And Condo Fires — In multi-family dwellings, fires can spread quickly and cause injury to numerous residents. These incidents are often caused by unattended cooking, smoking, overloaded circuits, or faulty appliances in one unit, while poor building maintenance and fire code violations can exacerbate the situation. Georgia fire safety codes require apartment buildings to have working fire alarms, extinguishers, and clear exits.
Hotels And Motels — These forms of temporary housing are frequently linked to fires stemming from smoking, cooking, or unsafe wiring. Outdated fire prevention systems and poor staff training can make these fires especially dangerous for guests unfamiliar with the building layout.
Commercial Building Fires — Workplaces like offices, retail stores, and restaurants are prone to fires typically resulting from electrical problems, poor maintenance, or non-compliance with fire codes. Overloaded power strips, neglected fire extinguishers, or improper storage of flammable materials can all contribute to dangerous conditions.
Vehicle Fires On Georgia Roads — These may follow a crash or stem from defects in the vehicle itself. Fuel leaks, engine overheating, or faulty batteries—particularly in electric cars—can ignite fires. When a crash caused by another driver leads to a fire, the at-fault party may be liable for resulting injuries.
Wildfires In Rural Georgia — Though less frequent than structural fires, wildfires can cause severe injuries and property loss, especially in forested or sparsely populated areas. Negligence such as careless burning, illegal trash fires, or sparks from equipment can trigger fires that spread quickly. Under Georgia tort law, the person responsible for starting such fires may be held liable for damages.
Industrial Fires In Factories Or Warehouses — Fires in settings like chemical facilities, warehouses, or manufacturing plants often involve dangerous substances like flammable chemicals or pressurized gases. These incidents may be the result of equipment failure, insufficient safety measures, or human mistakes.
Hotel And Motel Fires — These incidents can be especially hazardous due to guests’ unfamiliarity with exit routes. Causes may include faulty wiring, broken smoke detectors, or negligence by maintenance or cleaning staff. Hotel owners have a legal obligation to provide safe premises by adhering to Georgia fire codes, ensuring emergency lighting works, and keeping fire exits and alarms in proper condition.
Injuries That Fires Cause in Georgia
Severe Burns — Burns are the most common fire-related injury, ranging from minor (first-degree) to life-threatening (fourth-degree). Severe burns may destroy skin, nerves, muscles, and bones, requiring surgery and long-term care. Complications include infections, fluid loss, and permanent scarring.
Smoke Inhalation — Breathing hot smoke or toxic gases can cause serious lung damage. Victims may suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning, chemical burns, or long-term respiratory issues—even without visible burns.
Toxic Exposure — Burning materials like plastic or treated wood release harmful chemicals such as cyanide and formaldehyde. These can affect internal organs and raise the risk of cancer or neurological damage. Effects may be delayed.
Disfigurement & Mobility Loss — Burn scars can limit movement and change appearance. Contractures around joints often reduce mobility, requiring surgeries and therapy. These effects may be lifelong and emotionally distressing.
Emotional Trauma — Survivors often face PTSD, anxiety, or depression—especially after severe injury or loss. Children are especially vulnerable, and long-term mental health care is frequently needed.
Secondary Injuries — Escaping a fire can cause broken bones, head injuries, or sprains. These are often overlooked but may need urgent and ongoing treatment.
Determining Liability in a Georgia Fire
Landlords And Property Owners — Landlords must keep rental properties in safe condition under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13. That includes providing working smoke detectors, safe wiring, and clear exits. If a fire happens because a landlord ignored safety issues or failed to make repairs, they may be legally responsible. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, they owe a duty of care to tenants and guests on the property.
Property Management Companies — Companies that manage apartments, condos, or commercial properties may be liable if they failed to inspect or maintain fire safety systems like alarms, extinguishers, or emergency exits. Their responsibilities often overlap with those of the landlord or owner, but the specific contracts and roles need to be reviewed.
Business Owners — Georgia business owners must maintain a safe environment for customers and workers. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, they are responsible if unsafe wiring, lack of extinguishers, or fire code violations contribute to a fire. If the business rents its space, liability may be shared with the property owner.
Product Manufacturers And Sellers — Fires caused by defective appliances, vehicles, or electronics may involve product liability claims under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11. A company that designs, makes, or sells a dangerous product can be held accountable if it causes a fire during normal use. This includes design defects, manufacturing errors, and failure to warn consumers about fire risks.
Contractors Or Maintenance Workers — If a fire started because of faulty electrical work or failure to follow safety protocols during construction or repair, the contractor or technician may be liable. These claims usually fall under general negligence laws, including O.C.G.A. § 51-1-6.
Utility Companies — In rare cases, a fire may be caused by a utility company’s failure to maintain power lines, transformers, or meters. If a utility knew of a fire hazard and failed to act, they may be held responsible.
Employers — Workers who are injured in a fire on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation under Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Act, O.C.G.A. Title 34, Chapter 9. However, if someone other than the employer caused the fire—like a contractor or equipment manufacturer—then a separate personal injury claim may also be possible.
Government Entities — If the fire occurred in public housing, a government building, or involved fire code enforcement failures, a city or state agency may be involved.
What a Georgia Fire Injury Lawyer Does
A Georgia fire injury lawyer focuses entirely on cases where someone was seriously injured or killed in a fire—residential, commercial, vehicle-related, or workplace. These cases are not routine. Unlike a simple accident, fire cases often require immediate access to the scene, preservation of evidence, expert fire origin evaluation, and a full understanding of Georgia-specific fire codes and landlord-tenant law. A fire lawyer must also be prepared to go after large property owners, insurers, or corporations that will not admit fault unless forced to. Time matters. Evidence burns or gets cleaned up fast, and without the right action, the truth can disappear.
These cases involve more than just filing a claim. A fire lawyer fights for the full measure of damages under Georgia law—economic and non-economic. That means medical expenses, lost income, long-term care costs, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. In cases of wrongful death, damages may also include the full value of the person’s life under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2. McArthur Law Firm builds cases to get results, not sympathy. Fires are devastating, and those responsible should pay what the law demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should be contacted first after someone is injured in a fire?
Emergency services should be called immediately, followed by a Georgia fire injury lawyer.
What happens if someone dies in a fire caused by someone else’s negligence?
A wrongful death claim may be filed under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2 by surviving family members.
Is proof of how the fire started required before speaking to a lawyer?
Proof is not required. A qualified attorney will coordinate an investigation to determine the cause.
Can a landlord be sued if a rental unit catches fire?
Yes. A landlord may be liable under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13 and O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1 for unsafe conditions.
What types of compensation may be available after a fire injury?
Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disfigurement may be covered under Georgia law.
How long is the deadline to file a fire injury lawsuit in Georgia?
The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury or death under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
Does every fire injury case in Georgia go to court?
No. Many cases settle out of court, though some may require a trial depending on the facts.
Can legal help still be hired if the injured person can’t afford to pay up front?
Yes. Most Georgia fire injury attorneys work on a contingency fee—no payment unless money is recovered.
What options exist if a fire injury happened while someone was at work?
Workers’ compensation may apply under O.C.G.A. Title 34, Chapter 9. A separate injury claim may also be possible.
Additional Resources
Fire Safety – OSHA — This resource from OSHA provides workplace fire safety standards, risk information, and emergency preparedness guidance. It includes regulations, tools, and reference materials to help employers and employees understand fire hazards and how to reduce injury or damage in workplace settings.
Safety Fire Rules and Regulations – Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner — This page provides links to the official safety fire rules and regulations in Georgia. It includes standards for fire inspections, permits, engineering requirements, and specific areas such as elevators, boilers, amusement rides, and manufactured housing.
Who We Are – Atlanta Fire Rescue Department — This section of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s website outlines the department’s mission, structure, and services. It provides an overview of how the department operates, its divisions, fire station coverage, emergency response statistics, and community outreach programs.
Fire Injury Risk (2023) – U.S. Fire Administration — This page provides national statistics on fire injuries by age and sex for 2023. It shows which age groups have the highest and lowest risk of fire injury and includes overall fire injury rates based on population data collected by national agencies.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for Fire Injuries in Cobb County, Georgia
McArthur Law Firm serves the cities of Atlanta in Fulton County, Macon in Bibb County, Kathleen in Houston County, Peachtree Corners and Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, Marietta and Smyrna in Cobb County, Stonecrest, Brookhaven and Dunwoody in Dekalb County, Albany in Dougherty County, Columbus in Muscogee County and throughout surrounding areas of the state of Georgia.
Contact one of our offices at the following numbers or fill out an online contact form to start building your case.
- Atlanta Office: 404-565-1621
- Macon Office: 478-238-6600
- Warner Robins: 478-551-9901
Other Personal Injury Resources
- Agricultural Accidents
- Amputation Injury
- Aviation Accidents
- Broken Bone / Bone Fracture Accidents
- Burn Injury
- Child Injuries
- Crime Victims
- Explosion Accidents
- Personal Injury Appeals Lawyer
- School and Daycare Injury
- Toxic Chemical Exposure
- Types of Accidents
- Types of Personal Injuries
- Serious Personal Injury
- Special Needs Trusts for Personal Injury Settlements and Verdicts
- Are Personal Injury Settlements Taxable?
- Catastrophic Injury
- Back Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Paralysis
- Neck Injury
- Neck Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury
