Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters can cause catastrophic damage, life-altering injuries, and tragic loss of life. While these events are often labeled as “acts of nature,” negligence by property owners, corporations, or government agencies can make the consequences far worse—and, in some cases, deadly.
If you or a loved one has suffered harm during a hurricane or other disaster, it’s critical to understand when you may have grounds for a personal injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit.
At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, we have decades of experience helping disaster victims and grieving families pursue justice when negligence plays a role in catastrophic events.
The immediate cause of harm in a hurricane or storm may be the extreme weather itself. However, in many situations, unsafe conditions, poor planning, or defective products significantly contribute to the injuries or fatalities.
Unsafe Structures: Buildings or homes not built or maintained to hurricane safety codes may collapse during high winds, causing preventable injuries or deaths.
Failure to Evacuate: Employers, government agencies, or facility managers who fail to evacuate residents, workers, or visitors in a timely manner may be held liable.
Defective Products: Faulty generators, emergency equipment, or safety gear that fail during a disaster can lead to serious harm—holding manufacturers or distributors accountable.
Lack of Emergency Preparedness: Businesses, municipalities, or organizations that neglect evacuation planning, fail to secure hazardous materials, or ignore safety warnings can create dangerous conditions during storms.
Sadly, wrongful deaths often occur during natural disasters. Families may have legal grounds to file a lawsuit if negligence was a contributing factor in their loved one’s death.
Examples include:
Structural failures in unsafe buildings
Lack of timely evacuation orders
Defective safety or survival equipment
Negligent emergency planning by authorities or organizations
Our New York wrongful death attorneys work closely with families to investigate the cause, identify liable parties, and seek the compensation they deserve for medical expenses, lost income, funeral costs, and the emotional toll of their loss.
Our team of New York personal injury and wrongful death lawyers has the resources and expertise to handle complex disaster-related claims. We investigate every detail, from building code violations to product defects, to hold negligent parties accountable.
We have represented clients across New York State in high-stakes cases involving:
Hurricane-related injuries
Wrongful deaths from building collapses
Negligence during evacuations
Defective emergency equipment claims
If you’ve been injured in a hurricane, flood, or other disaster—and believe negligence played a role—follow these steps to protect your rights:
Seek Immediate Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation documents harm and connects it to the event.
Document Everything: Take photos and videos of hazardous conditions, unsafe structures, or failed equipment.
Preserve Evidence: Keep all records of medical treatment, expenses, and communication with property owners, employers, or agencies.
Contact an Attorney Quickly: Legal deadlines for filing claims vary, and evidence can disappear quickly after a disaster.
Natural disasters are unpredictable—but negligence is preventable. If you or your family has suffered because someone failed to take proper safety measures during a hurricane or other disaster, you may be entitled to compensation.
📞 Call Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro at 800-675-8556 for a free consultation. Our attorneys will review your case, explain your rights, and fight to secure the justice and financial recovery you deserve.