When you suffer harm as a result of another’s negligent or intentional actions, injuries can vary greatly in type and severity. One of the common injuries many personal injury victims suffer is burn injuries. A severe burn can impact any part of the body, leaving victims facing long roads to recovery and life-changing pain, scarring, and disfigurement.
If you or a loved one have suffered a burn injury, discuss the situation with a qualified burn injury attorney. A California brain injury lawyer can review the case details to determine the best course of action and work diligently to pursue full and fair compensation.
What is a Burn Injury?
A burn injury is damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction. These injuries range from less severe to life-threatening and can cause catastrophic physical, emotional, and financial hardship. Depending on the severity, burn injuries can require extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation and can result in permanent disfigurement or disability.
Burn injuries are common in personal injury cases, particularly in workplace accidents, car crashes, and premises liability cases. The extent of the injury and circumstances often determine whether a victim can pursue legal action.
Common Ways a Person Suffers Burn Injuries in a Personal Injury Case
Every burn injury case is unique. However, there are certain cases that more commonly leave victims at risk of suffering burn injuries.
Some of the situations that regularly end in burn injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Car accidents: Car accidents can lead to burn injuries in various ways, including explosions, fires, or contact with hot surfaces and chemicals. When vehicles catch fire due to a crash, victims can suffer severe burns that may require extensive medical treatment.
- Workplace accidents: Employees in certain industries, such as construction, manufacturing, and food service, are at a higher risk of suffering burn injuries. Burns in the workplace can result from exposure to high temperatures, electrical malfunctions, hazardous chemicals, or explosions. Employers who fail to provide proper safety equipment or training may be held liable for these injuries.
- Premises liability cases: Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises for visitors and tenants. Fires caused by faulty wiring, gas leaks, or unsafe heating systems can lead to burn injuries. Landlords, business owners, and property managers may be held liable if their negligence contributed to hazardous conditions that cause
- Fires and Explosions: Fires and explosions can occur in residential, commercial, and industrial settings due to gas leaks, electrical failures, or arson. Victims who suffer burns from such incidents may have legal claims against negligent parties, including landlords, contractors, or utility companies.
- Electrocution Accidents: Electrical burns occur when a person comes into contact with exposed wiring, faulty appliances, or downed power lines. These injuries are particularly severe because they can cause deep tissue damage. Property owners, employers, and utility companies may be held responsible for failing to prevent electrical hazards.
Regardless of how your burn injury happened, if a third party played a role in causing your injuries, you may have a valid legal claim. Speak with a skilled burn injury attorney to discuss the details of your case and begin working toward justice and financial recovery right away.
Types of Burn Injuries
The severity and classification of a burn injury depend on the depth and extent of the damage and the factors contributing to the injury.
When you present to a medical provider with a burn injury, they will classify the injury from a first-degree burn to a fourth-degree burn. The severity of the burn injury dictates the required medical treatment and the potential damage and complications victims may face.
The kinds of burn injuries include:
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are superficial burns affecting only the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis. Symptoms of first-degree burns include redness, some pain, and dry skin.
These burns usually heal within a few days and don’t tend to scar. Common causes of first-degree burns include minor scale and brief contact with hot surfaces.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) and the underlying layer of skin (the dermis). Symptoms of second-degree burns include redness, swelling, blistering, and severe pain.
These burns often require medical treatment and are more likely to result in scarring than first-degree burns. Causes of second-degree burns can include prolonged contact with hot objects, boiling liquids, flames, and chemicals.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are particularly serious. They extend through the entire skin thickness, reaching the underlying tissues. Third-degree burns can vary in appearance, as they can appear white, charred, leathery, or blackened.
These burns carry a high risk of infection, scarring, and long-term complications. Common causes of third-degree burns include prolonged exposure to flames, chemicals, and electrical injuries.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns are the most severe type of burns. These burns affect the muscles, tendons, and even bones and often lead to loss of function in the affected area and require amputation.
Because of the severity of fourth-degree burns, they are considered life-threatening and require extensive medical intervention. Causes of these burns include serious electrical burns and prolonged fire exposure.
Potential Complications After a Burn Injury
Burn injuries can result in numerous complications, especially if they are not properly treated right away. Some of the common consequences of these injuries include:
- Infections: Open wounds are highly susceptible to bacterial infections, which can lead to sepsis.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Severe burns often lead to permanent scarring and may require reconstructive surgery.
- Nerve damage: Burns that penetrate deep layers of tissue can cause permanent nerve damage, leading to loss of sensation or mobility.
- Respiratory issues: Inhalation of smoke or toxic fumes can cause damage to the lungs.
Along with physical injuries, burns can also result in psychological trauma. Victims often develop anxiety, depression, and PTSD due to the trauma of the accident and their injuries.
Additionally, financial difficulties are a major concern after burn injuries. Victims who suffer burns, especially more serious burns, often face long roads to recovery and the need for extensive medical treatment, which can result in high costs and loss of earnings. This is one of the primary reasons to seek legal help and discuss your options with a qualified personal injury attorney.
Can a Burn Injury Victim Pursue Legal Action?
Fortunately, yes. Individuals who have suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence can seek compensation through insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits.
The road to justice and compensation depends on the circumstances. For example, car and truck accident victims often begin their journey by filing insurance claims, but in other cases, the at-fault party may not be insured, so filing a lawsuit would be the first step.
Even if you file an insurance claim, your case may require filing a lawsuit anyway, particularly if you’re unable to settle with the insurance company or your damages exceed policy limits.
Your pursuit of financial recovery will depend on the exact details of your case. A personal injury attorney can help you understand what you can expect from your case and work diligently to get you the best possible outcome.
Types of Damages Burn Injury Victims Can Secure
Damages are available to help compensate victims for their injuries, expenses, and losses following an unfortunate accident. The types of damages a burn injury victim can obtain vary based on the circumstances of the case. Damages help cover both economic and non-economic losses, such as:
- Medical expenses: Coverage for all medical needs, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost earnings: Compensation for time away from work due to injury and recovery. If injuries affect the ability to work, diminished or lost earning potential damages may also be available.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and resulting injuries.
- Permanent disability and disfigurement: Coverage for life-altering injuries.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact on personal relationships.
Along with compensatory damages, some cases are eligible for punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages that compensate victims, punitive damages serve to punish defendants for their grossly negligent, intentional, or malicious actions.
Determining the value of a burn injury is a vital component of the case. Your personal injury attorney must assess the situation, paying close attention to certain influential factors, including:
- The type of burn injury and severity of the burn
- The total cost of medical treatment
- Whether medical care must continue into the future
- How the burn injury will affect your life and well-being
- The total value of lost earnings
- Whether you can return to work, and if so, to what capacity
- How your injuries have impacted your mental and emotional health
A burn injury lawyer can evaluate your case, determine what damages you’re entitled to, and adequately calculate your damages in an effort to ensure you get the most out of your case.
The Importance of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Following a Burn Injury
Navigating a burn injury case can be complex and stressful. Having an experienced personal injury attorney can significantly impact the outcome of your case for the better.
During your case, your lawyer will handle every aspect of it. Among the many tasks they take on, they will:
- Gather evidence: Your attorney can investigate your case and obtain relevant documentation and evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, and video footage.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Lawyers fully understand how insurance companies work and how tricky insurance claims can be. A legal advocate can protect your rights throughout your claim and ensure fair compensation is awarded.
- Build a strong legal case: Your attorney can strengthen your case and develop a compelling argument to ensure the responsible party does not escape liability.
- Pursue maximum compensation: Your attorney can ensure you receive the full extent of your damages to cover your present and future needs.
Hiring a strong burn injury attorney can make all the difference in the direction of your case and the eventual result. As soon as you are able, schedule a consultation with a burn injury lawyer in your area to proceed with your case.
Time Limits for Taking Legal Action
As with other types of cases, personal injury cases, like burn injuries, are time-sensitive. Every state has a statute of limitations, a law that imposes a strict time limit for filing a lawsuit in court.
The time limit allowed by law ranges from two to four years on average and typically begins on the date of the injury. Failing to file the lawsuit within the allotted period may result in losing the right to seek justice and financial recovery.
Along with the legal time restraint, attorneys often encourage swift action to ensure evidence is available and preserved and witnesses’ memories of the events leading to injuries remain fresh. Waiting too long can make it harder to obtain documentation and evidence, and witnesses may have a harder time recalling pertinent details.
The sooner you consult with an attorney and secure legal representation, the better it can be for your case. A lawyer can begin working on your case right away and ensure no deadlines are missed.
If You’ve Suffered a Burn Injury, Do Not Wait to Seek Legal Representation
Burn injuries can have life-altering consequences, and victims should not have to bear the financial burden alone. Taking legal action as soon as possible increases the chances of a successful claim and adequate compensation. A personal injury attorney can protect your rights, handle the complexities of your case, and aggressively pursue justice on your behalf.
During your free initial consultation with a burn injury lawyer, you can discuss the details of your case with the attorney without any financial obligation. During this consultation, the attorney will assess the strength of your case and help you understand what to expect moving forward.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s wrongful action or inaction, do not wait to proceed with a legal claim. Contact a skilled California personal injury lawyer in your area today to discuss your legal options and secure the financial recovery you deserve. Your path to healing starts with the right legal representation.
