Two firefighters holding a hose, battling a large fire.

If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries due to the fault of another or while on the job, then you may be entitled to receive money for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, or other losses. Our law firm works with some of the more experienced attorneys, who can file a burn lawsuit on your behalf, and there is no legal fee unless you receive a settlement or award. Call us toll free or visit us online for a free consultation.

Do I Have A Burn Injury Case?

If you have suffered burn injuries, then you may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your losses. A personal injury lawyer can help in determining whether you have a burn lawsuit, workers’ compensation claim, and/or Social Security Disability claim. You may have a valid claim if you suffered burns in a car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident. Additionally, you may have a legal claim if a smoke detector was defective, or if your landlord failed to disclose or fix fire hazards. Workers’ compensation covers injuries, including burns, which occur during the course of employment. Employees can receive money to cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation. If you have become disabled due to burn injuries, you may also qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

What Are The Most Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

  • Car and Boat accidents
  • Chemicals
  • Construction accidents
  • Defective smoke detectors
  • Defective products
  • Electrical equipment
  • Explosions
  • Fires
  • Fireworks
  • Gas appliances
  • Gas spills
  • Hot grease/oil
  • Hot water/scalding water
  • House fires
  • Improperly stored flammable materials
  • Industrial accidents
  • Lighters
  • Matches
  • Plumbing accidents
  • Propane heaters
  • Space heaters
  • Steam
  • Tanning beds
  • Trucking accidents
  • Water heater explosions
  • Welding equipment

What Are The Different Degrees Of Burns?

Government statistics show that in the United States, about 1.1 million people seek medical treatment for burns annually. Of that group, 50,000 require hospitalization, 20,000 have burns affecting more than 25% of their body, and 4,500 die (i). Additionally, the National Fire Protection Association has reported that in just one year, fire departments responded to more than 1.3 million fires which caused over $11 billion in property damage (ii). These statistics demonstrate the frequency with which fires occur and the seriousness of their resulting injuries.

A burn is an injury to the skin caused by chemicals, electricity, friction, heat, or radiation. These injuries range in severity from first degree burns (least severe) to fourth degree burns (most severe).

  • First degree burns only affect the outer layer of skin. They cause redness without blisters. These burns are painful to touch but typically heal within a week.
  • Second degree burns are injuries which affect several layers of the skin causing redness and blisters. These burns are typically more painful and take more time to heal. These burns must be treated properly in order to avoid infection and scarring.
  • Third degree burns extend to every layer of skin. These burns cause the skin to turn black or white and can even destroy nerve endings. Third degree burns can sometimes require skin grafts and can even take months to heal.
  • Fourth degree burns not only damage the skin, but also damage tissue and bone. These are the most serious class of burns and can result in amputation, disability, or even death.

What Future Complications Can Burn Injuries Lead To?

A psychiatrist speaks to his client during a session.

Burn injuries are especially dangerous because they increase the risk of a wide range of complications. Burn victims often suffer mental complications such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When patients realize their body has been severely scarred or that they cannot do the things that they once enjoyed, they can become depressed. Additionally, PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by traumatic events like serious burns. This disorder can cause generalized anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares that can be disabling. Scarringdisfigurement, and disability are physical complications that are also very traumatic. These complications not only cause mental suffering but they can limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities. Many patients experience a diminished capacity to participate in hobbies or carry out household chores because of the burns they have suffered. Another complication that is all too common in burn patients is infection. Once burned, the body suppresses the immune system, resulting in frequent infections. Government statistics indicate that burn-related infections cause up to 10,000 deaths each year in the United States (iii).

Serious burn injuries can cause other issues, such as respiratory problems and organ damage. In fact, smoke inhalation causes more deaths than burn injuries. Burns and breathing smoke can cause the airways to swell, poisoning from carbon monoxide and other chemicals, pneumonia, respiratory arrest/failure, and suffocation. Organs such as the kidney are also at risk of becoming damaged. Blood loss and infection can cause irreversible kidney damage, and sometimes outright kidney failure. The most serious result is death. If your loved one has passed away due to severe burn injuries, infection, or smoke inhalation, then you should talk to a personal injury lawyer about a possible wrongful death claim.

How Are Burn Injuries Treated?

Doctors performing surgery on a Rhode Island Burn Injury Victim.

How a burn is treated depends on how severe it is. Minor burns may be treated at home by running the affected area under cold water, applying burn ointment products, such as aloe vera, or using a pain reliever for discomfort. You should always exercise caution when treating burn injuries and make sure to seek medical attention right away if you have any question as to the severity of your wounds. Serious burns may require a trip to the emergency room and even surgical procedures such as skin grafting and amputation. Additionally, patients may need to undergo multiple plastic surgeries and months of physical therapy, which can all result in substantial medical expenses.

Contact d’Oliveira & Associates Today!

A personal injury lawyer is discussing a case with his two clients.

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced burn lawyer can give you advice regarding a potential lawsuit, workers’ compensation claim, or Social Security Disability claim. Our law firm is currently working with qualified attorneys, who handle these types of cases and charge no legal fees until you receive a settlement or award.

Call our 24-hour phone line at (800) 992-6878 for more information or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.

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