Can you be sued from a fire?

Question

In january of this year, my boyfriends condo caught fire. He didn't have renter's insurance. The entire bedroom was gutted and the rest of the place had heavy smoke damage. The fire was caused by a candle I lit and we went to sleep. The owners now say that he owes them 20,000 for the things they lost and that their insurace wont cover.This in the bronx by the way. Anything that can be done?

Answer 1

Since the fire was due to negligence, yes they can sue him for the damage that is not covered by insurance. And renter's insurance does not cover the condo, renter's insurance would have only covered your boyfriend's personal property.

Answer 2

Best thing you can do is wait for them to try to sue and get an attorney to represent you and/or him.

Answer 3

You can be sued for anything. My opinion is that since you started the fire accidentally and you were there with his permission, he is culpable for the damages you caused. In other words he has to pay.

Usually an insurance company would have to pay in this instance except for the deductible. What your boyfriend would have to do is sue the owner's insurance company to recover his money. Seems like an awfully high amount, so his lawyer should look into this.

Another reason why renter's insurance is so important.

Answer 4

yeah, he can be sued. but i doubt that the landlord would win as the fire was an accident and he should have had better insurance coverage

even if he does win it will be for less then 20 thousand as it sounds like he wants replacement costs when hes only entitled to what the items were worth before the fire. by the way if the boyfriend did have renters insurance it would have only covered his things and not the landlords

Answer 5

Refuse to pay.

Answer 6

Yes they can sue him but chances are the isurance co. is going to pay all but the deductible.  He may have to pay that.  If the owner of a condo doesn't carry fire inurance then they are very irresponsible and stupid.