Highland Court Apartments Fire: Was this Tragedy Preventable?

We have over 25 years of experience representing victims of fire safety negligence and security failures across the United States, and we have recovered nearly $250 million dollars for our Clients.  Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available to the families of the victims.

Milwaukee, WI NEWS – An apartment building fire Sunday morning, May 11, 2025, tragically claimed four lives and injured others.

JSOnline.com is reporting, “[f]irst responders arrived at Highland Court Apartments, 2725 W. Highland Blvd., around 7:45 a.m. on Mothers Day. In total, about 22 fire engines and eight ladder trucks responded to the fire, including units from Wauwatosa and West Allis.”

As reported by DailyUnion.com, “[the fire] that began in a common area and spread to multiple floors Sunday killed four people and critically injured four others. Several more were treated for lesser injuries in the fire that began sometime before 8 a.m. on Mother’s Day. The blaze rendered the 85-unit building uninhabitable, displacing an estimated 200 people.”

WJTV.com is reporting, “[l]adder trucks were used to rescue other residents from windows while some firefighters inside the burning building crawled on hands and knees to get people out…In all, about 30 people were rescued.”

According to the report, “the building did not have a sprinkler system and was built in 1968, predating a law that would have required one.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Potential Legal Claims for Highland Court Apartments Fire Victims Families?

Our Legal Take

As authorities continue their investigation, premises liability attorneys with The Murray Law Firm question whether a lack of fire safety measures at the complex may have contributed to this incident.

• What fire safety measures, such as working smoke detectors, fire sprinklers and emergency exits, were in place and working at the time of the fire?
• When was the last fire inspection performed on the property?
• Were any safety measures added after any previous inspections?
• Was the property owner aware of any inadequate fire safety measures present prior to the fire?

As details of this fire continue to emerge, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the apartment complex failed to undertake proper safety measures to protect those residents and guests legally on the premises. Under certain State law, the owner and management company of an apartment complex have a duty to protect those on the property and to keep the premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this duty, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a consequence.  Should the apartment complex be found at fault, the families of the deceased victims may elect to hold the owner and management company civilly liable for their loss and suffering.

As insurance companies and unscrupulous property owners are often concerned with limiting their financial exposure in these incidents, it is crucial that the families of the deceased victims retain an experienced premises liability firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as a faulty fire alarm or a poor evacuation plan, is preserved and the families best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in premises liability and apartment negligence cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

If anyone has information to share, or if anyone is seeking information regarding this incident, please contact us at 888.842.1616.

OUR RESULTS: Nearly $250 MILLION IN VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS FOR OUR CLIENTS

The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of violence and security negligence.  We have obtained nearly $250 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including:

• A $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property.
• Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a victim of gun violence at an apartment complex.
• Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a family who lost a loved one to gun violence at a commercial property.

We offer our legal assistance, if desired.  We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover.  Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888-842-1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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