As temperatures drop in Michigan, households rely more heavily on supplemental heat—space heaters, candles, fireplaces, gas appliances and other warming devices become part of daily winter living. But with that warmth comes a heightened risk. These familiar heating sources are responsible for thousands of winter home fires and carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies nationwide every year.

Michigan’s long, frigid winters increase these dangers even more. Families close windows for warmth, run heaters for longer periods, and use candles during holiday months—all of which can create hazardous conditions when something goes wrong.

Fires and CO poisoning incidents often aren’t just “accidents.” Many occur because of:

• Negligence, such as failing to maintain appliances
• Defective products, including space heaters or CO detectors that fail to work
• Unsafe property conditions, especially in rental housing
• Lack of proper ventilation or code compliance

When these failures lead to serious burns, neurological injuries, permanent scarring, hospitalization, or death, Michigan law provides pathways for victims and families to pursue justice. Claims may fall under product liability, landlord negligence, premises liability, or wrongful death, depending on the circumstances.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, our attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined experience handling fire and CO exposure cases, wrongful death litigation, defective product claims, and complex premises liability matters. Families turn to us during their most difficult moments because our philosophy is unwavering: your rights first. Every client receives the support of our entire legal team, a core part of the firm’s longstanding culture of collaboration, clarity, and compassionate guidance.

Michigan Fire & CO Laws: What Every Household Should Know

Premises Liability Basics

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for tenants, guests, and visitors. This includes:

• Identifying and repairing fire hazards
• Addressing electrical or heating system issues
• Warning residents or visitors of hidden dangers
• Complying with CO detector requirements, which apply to many rental properties under Michigan law

If a property owner fails to uphold these duties and someone is injured, they may be liable for the resulting harm.

Landlord Obligations

Landlords have additional responsibilities, including:

• Proper furnace and heating system maintenance
• Ensuring working smoke alarms and CO detectors are installed
• Making timely repairs when hazards are reported
• Keeping rental units safe and code compliant
• Avoiding neglect of tenant complaints or known dangers

When landlords ignore safety standards or fail to maintain essential systems, they may be held accountable for resulting fires or CO poisoning.

Product Liability Basics

Some winter fires and CO incidents are caused not by property conditions, but by dangerous or defective products. Common examples include:

• Defective space heaters that overheat, spark, or fail to shut off
• Malfunctioning CO detectors that don’t alarm when CO levels rise
• Electrical defects in appliances or extension cords
• Manufacturing or design defects that make the product unsafe
• Failure to warn consumers about known fire or CO risks

Product liability claims can involve manufacturers, distributors, and even retailers, depending on the nature of the defect.

Wrongful Death Considerations

Sadly, many winter fire and CO events result in fatalities. Wrongful death claims may arise from:

• CO poisoning deaths due to failed detectors or faulty appliances
• Fatal house fires caused by electrical hazards, defective heaters, or negligence
• Landlord or property owner failures that contributed to unsafe living conditions

Families may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, lost income, and emotional grief.

Evidence Needed for Fire & CO Claims

Crucial Evidence

A successful fire or CO claim often begins with obtaining the following:

• Fire department reports, which document the cause, timeline, and behavior of the fire
• Photos and videos of the damage, including appliance placement and burn patterns
• Burn pattern analysis or evidence showing where a heater or candle was located
• CO readings taken by emergency responders, which help establish exposure levels
• Medical records, particularly those documenting CO exposure or burn injuries
• Product documentation, including make, model, and serial numbers of heaters, appliances, or CO detectors
• Inspection reports and maintenance logs, especially for furnaces, electrical systems, and rental properties

This information can quickly disappear, making early action crucial.

Specialized Expert Analysis

Many winter fire and CO cases require expert testimony to identify the true cause of the incident. LSM frequently works with specialists such as:

• Fire cause-and-origin experts, who evaluate burn patterns and ignition sources
• Electrical engineers, who analyze wiring, overloaded circuits, and appliance malfunctions
• CO exposure specialists, who interpret detector readings and ventilation issues
• Toxicologists, who explain how CO affects the body and contributes to injury
• Product safety engineers, who determine whether a space heater, CO detector, or appliance was defectively designed or manufactured

These experts help build a clear, evidence-based narrative—especially when multiple parties may be at fault.

What Victims Should Do Immediately After a Fire or CO Emergency

Ensure Safety

First and foremost:

• Evacuate the building and get to fresh air immediately
• Seek medical attention—burns, smoke inhalation, and CO exposure can worsen quickly
• Call 911 to ensure firefighters and EMTs respond and document the scene

Your health and safety come before everything else.

Document the Scene

If it is safe to do so:

• Take photos and videos of the damage, burn patterns, smoke detectors, CO detectors, and heater or candle placement
• Save the defective product, such as a heater or CO detector, if possible
• Get the names of witnesses and first responders

This documentation helps establish how the incident occurred and preserves key evidence before changes are made.

Avoid Making Statements About Fault

After an emergency:

• Insurance adjusters may call quickly
• Landlords, property managers, or municipal representatives may try to deny responsibility

Do not admit fault or downplay your injuries. And be extremely cautious with recorded statements, as they may later be used to limit or deny compensation.

Contact an Attorney Early

Reaching out to an experienced attorney right away:

• Protects critical evidence from being lost or destroyed
• Prevents blame-shifting, which is common in fires and CO poisoning cases
• Allows early expert investigation, before the scene changes
• Ensures defective products are preserved, which is essential for product liability claims

LSM’s team-wide involvement means clients get immediate support, communication, and clarity—a reflection of the firm’s core values and the culture built over decades.

Compensation Available in Fire & CO Claims

Victims of fires and carbon monoxide exposure may be entitled to a wide range of compensation, depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the incident:

• Medical expenses and future care, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity, when injuries affect the ability to work
• Pain and suffering, including physical pain from burns or long-term neurological effects from CO
• Emotional distress, such as anxiety, PTSD, and trauma
• Permanent disfigurement, including scarring or loss of mobility
• Wrongful death damages, when a fire or CO event results in fatality
• Property damage losses, including the destruction of personal belongings and essential household items

These cases can be complex, especially when multiple parties share responsibility—but LSM’s experience and all-hands approach ensure clients receive the full support needed to pursue justice.

Winter Comfort Should Never Cost You Your Health or Safety.

Fires and carbon monoxide incidents are preventable tragedies. Whether caused by a defective space heater, a missing CO detector, neglected building maintenance, unsafe holiday décor, or a combination of failures, victims deserve answers—and justice.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we are committed to clarity, transparency, and treating every client like family—a philosophy deeply rooted in the firm’s culture and community values. Our team will guide you through the legal process with compassion and strength.

If you or someone you love has been harmed in a winter fire or carbon monoxide incident—whether caused by a defective heater, landlord negligence, electrical hazards, or a dangerous property condition—our legal team is ready to help you rebuild your life.

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, Personal Injury Attorneys
📍 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072
📞 248-584-1300
📞 Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)

Your consultation is always free.
Your story matters. And at LSM, your rights come first.