By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Civil Litigation | Shin Law Office
Leesburg Commercial Fire Code Defects: What to Do When Safety Issues Trigger Legal Trouble
When someone calls my office from Leesburg saying, “We just bought a building, and now we’re getting hit with fire code violations,” I already know what’s coming.
What initially appeared to be a significant investment turns into a legal and financial mess because the seller failed to disclose major problems, typically with the life safety systems.
I’m talking about fire alarms that aren’t connected to monitoring stations.
Communicators that don’t transmit.
No record of required annual inspections.
In some cases, flagged violations were conveniently omitted from the sale documents.
Life Safety Defects Aren’t Just “Maintenance Issues”
This isn’t about a burnt-out exit sign or a dead battery.
These are serious system failures that can put people at risk and land you in hot water with the Fire Marshal.
In Loudoun County, and especially in towns like Leesburg, Fire Code compliance isn’t optional, and when it’s ignored or concealed during a sale, it opens the door for lawsuits.
Here’s what I see often:
- Fire systems that were never tested or documented
- Failed communicator codes that no one disclosed
- Fire Marshal warnings tucked away in old inspection reports
- “As-is” contracts are used to avoid accountability
- Sellers rushing a sale before the next code inspection
These issues don’t just cost you time and money; they can void insurance coverage, delay tenant occupancy, and, in some cases, shut your business down.
Do You Have a Case?
If you bought commercial property in Leesburg and found out after closing that life safety systems weren’t up to code, you may have legal options.
I typically look for:
- Signs the seller knew and failed to disclose
- Misrepresentations in the sales contract
- Lack of required documentation (like Test & Inspect reports)
- Prior warnings from the Fire Marshal or service providers
- Faulty installation of fire or alarm systems
If the facts align, we may be able to recover damages or compel the seller to contribute to the remediation costs.
I’ve handled cases where we uncovered emails, inspection notes, or repair records that clearly showed the seller was aware of the problems.
Let’s Keep This From Becoming Your Problem
If you’re involved in a commercial deal now, request the complete inspection and service history of every fire and life safety system.
And if you’re already dealing with the fallout, let’s talk.
I’ll help you figure out whether this is something that can be fixed quietly—or if it’s time to go to court.
In Leesburg, cutting corners on safety isn’t just reckless.
It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Call Shin Law Office at 571-445-6565 or book online today!
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
