Legal Options After a House Fire Caused by Faulty Wiring

You never think it’ll happen to you. One moment, everything’s quiet. Next, there’s smoke, heat, and flames. Maybe it started behind a wall, near the attic, or in the breaker box, but in almost all cases you will never see it coming.

If you or someone you love has suffered through a house fire caused by faulty wiring, you already know the physical and emotional toll it can take. However, what you might not know is this: you may have legal options beyond your homeowner’s insurance claim, especially if negligence played a role.

When the cause of a fire traces back to someone else’s mistake (a careless contractor, a defective electrical panel, a landlord who ignored code violations), you shouldn’t be left holding the bill.

Start with the cause: Was the wiring to blame?

Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of residential fires in the United States. Sometimes it’s old or degraded insulation. Other times it’s a code violation, like an outlet overloaded with too many appliances or a fuse box rigged with the wrong parts. In some cases, it’s flat-out negligence: a builder cutting corners, or a landlord ignoring repeated complaints.

If your fire started due to any of the following, you may be able to file a claim against the responsible party, not just your insurer:

• Exposed or frayed wiring
• Faulty installation by an electrician or contractor
• Overloaded circuits or outdated panels
• Defective electrical components
• Failure to bring a system up to code

But you need proof. That’s why the first step, before anything else, is preserving evidence.

Don’t clean up just yet: Preserve evidence after the fire

As painful as it is to look at the damage, you need to think like an investigator.

That means:

• Take photos and video of the scene, especially near the suspected origin
• Save damaged appliances, outlets, or electrical panels if possible
• Secure the property to prevent tampering or further damage
• Don’t make repairs until a fire investigator has assessed the site

You should also request a copy of the fire department’s report, which often includes initial findings about the fire’s cause and origin. If electrical failure is suspected, a licensed fire investigator can help trace the problem back to its source.

And if you’re working with a burn injury lawyer, they can often bring in an expert of their own to examine the scene and gather evidence, especially if litigation is likely.

Who can be held legally responsible?

One of the biggest misconceptions after a fire is that “it was just an accident.” But in many cases, someone’s negligence played a direct role in creating the hazard.

Depending on the facts, the following parties could be liable:

1. Electricians or contractors

If the wiring was installed incorrectly, or if a repair job violated electrical code, a licensed professional could be held responsible for negligent work.

2. Homebuilders or developers

Was the home recently built or renovated? A general contractor or developer may be liable for improper wiring, inadequate materials, or failure to inspect subcontractors’ work.

3. Product manufacturers

Some fires start because of a defective product: a faulty outlet, a malfunctioning breaker, or a recalled appliance. In these cases, a product liability claim may be possible.

4. Landlords or property managers

If you’re a tenant and the fire was caused by faulty wiring your landlord failed to fix, you may have a strong case under North Dakota’s landlord-tenant laws. Landlords are required to keep rental units up to code and in a habitable condition.

5. Municipalities or inspectors

In rare cases, you may be able to bring a claim against a public entity, though North Dakota’s governmental immunity laws limit liability for discretionary functions like inspections.

What damages can you recover?

Fires destroy so much more than property. They take memories, homes, stability, and sometimes lives. If your fire was caused by faulty wiring and someone else is to blame, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Property loss and damage
• Medical bills for burn injuries or smoke inhalation
• Rehabilitation and future care needs
• Lost wages or earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress or trauma
• Funeral costs and wrongful death damages, if a loved one was lost

A seasoned burn injury lawyer can help you calculate the full impact (economic and emotional), so you don’t accept less than you deserve.

What if insurance covers some of the damage?

Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may pay for some of the immediate damage, like structural repairs or temporary housing. But insurance rarely covers the entire picture, and you may find yourself facing large out-of-pocket costs.

More importantly, insurance won’t always go after the responsible party. If a third party caused the fire, you may need to file a separate legal claim to hold them accountable.

And in many cases, your insurance company may even subrogate your rights, meaning they collect from the at-fault party but keep the recovery themselves. A burn injury lawyer can protect your interests and make sure you’re not shortchanged.

Special considerations for burn injuries

If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries in the fire, your case may involve long-term consequences that go beyond a standard property claim.

Burns can require:

• Skin grafts
• Multiple surgeries
• Long-term rehabilitation
• Psychiatric care for trauma or PTSD

They can also lead to permanent disfigurement or disability. And when children are involved, the long-term impact can be especially profound, physically and emotionally.

That’s why early legal help is so important. A qualified burn injury lawyer can work with medical experts, life care planners, and therapists to show the full scope of your loss.

How does North Dakota law apply?

North Dakota law lets you bring personal injury and product liability claims against negligent parties. In most cases, you have six years to file a property damage claim and two years for a personal injury or wrongful death case.

However, you shouldn’t wait that long. Evidence can be misplaced, and witnesses can forget what happened. That’s not to mention that expert inspections are harder to schedule as time passes. If faulty wiring caused your house fire, the best time to start building your case is now.

What should you do next?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to protecting your rights:

• Get a full copy of the fire report from the local fire department
• Secure the site and avoid making major changes until an expert can investigate
• Take photos and videos of the damage
• Preserve any damaged electrical components if possible
• Contact a burn injury lawyer for a free consultation
• Document all expenses, from hotel bills to hospital visits
• Avoid giving statements to insurance companies until you’ve spoken to a lawyer

How a burn injury lawyer can help

At Larson Law, we understand how devastating house fires can be. We’ve helped families across North Dakota recover after tragedy, and we know what it takes to get answers.

Our lawyers can:

• Investigate the cause of the fire
• Identify all responsible parties
• Work with fire investigators and electrical experts
• Handle all communications with insurers
• Fight for full compensation for your injuries and losses

We’re not just here for the paperwork. We’re here to help you rebuild.

The help you need to move forward

A house fire caused by faulty wiring is more than a mere accident. It’s often a preventable failure. When builders cut corners, landlords ignore maintenance, or manufacturers sell defective products, catastrophic consequences can follow.

If you’re picking through the ashes of what was once your home, you deserve more than an insurance check. You deserve accountability.

You don’t have to fight for that alone. Contact Larson Law today to speak with experienced burn injury lawyers who can help you hold the right people responsible and start putting your life back together.