Legal Question in Personal Injury in Florida

I am a college student in Florida. I was rooming with 3 other people in a house that caught on fire. The fire was isolated to one room and the fire report specified that the roommate that lived in said room started the fire. The roommate was drunk, knocked a lamp over, and did not pick it up. (This roommate while I have lived with him has also recieved a DUI and has been kicked out of school) The lamp lit the clothes on the floor on fire causing the rest of the room to catch on fire. After the fire the roommate, myself, and my other previous roommates talked together about being compensated for all of the things that we lost in the fire, and for the money that we had to pay out to find new housing. In total I spent about $2000 on new housing and lost about $500-600 of personal items. Plus, because I only had 6 months left on the house and had to pay much more for my new place for a 6 month lease. I am leaving for Europe very soon to do study abroad. Now, my roommate will not answer my phone calls or emails and has told friends that he does not think we deserve compensation. My question is, am I justified in asking for this money back? Thank You.

Asked on 5/26/10, 6:36 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Tami Diebel The Plaintiffs Law Firm

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Yes, you are justified in asking for your money back. However, unless there is insurance that would cover something like this, the fact of the matter is that you may not be able to obtain your money back. You could make a claim on the home owner's insurance, although, because you were renting, you may not be able to obtain any compensation that way either. Did you, yourself, have renter's insurance? If so, you can obtain compensation through them and the insurance company can go after your roommate to be compensated. I am sorry this happened, glad you are okay/not injured in the fire, and wish you all the best in the future.

Answered on 5/26/10, 9:48 am

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