Top Attorneys for Burn Injury Compensation

Serious burns can result in excruciating pain & suffering, medical costs of treatment and specialist care can be astronomical, from skin grafts to physical therapy.

After an injury share what happened with a burn lawyer to review what financial recovery you may be entitled to.

Based on data from the American Burn Association, over 450,000 people seek medical treatment for burns every year. Of that number, 45,000 require hospitalization and 3,500 end up dead. ^[1]

Only fatal auto accidents in the U.S. account for more accidental deaths.

Third degree burns, can result in disfigurement, excruciating pain, sepsis, psychological wounds and treatment can necessitate skin grafts and numerous operations and medical procedures.

The medical treatment costs can be enormous.

Chemicals, auto accidents involving fires, industrial accidents, electrocution, structural and gasoline fires most commonly result in burn injuries.

For survivors, the pain associated with serious burns is often excruciating, and frequently leaves victims with psychological & physical scars.

The conflagration of a house fire can be extremely destructive, the heat emitted capable of hurting people many yards distant, individuals too close can expect extensive scarring, disfigurement and death.

Additionally, the hazards of smoke inhalation take as many if not more lives than the fire itself. People who survive can sustain injuries to the lungs, brain injuries resulting from inhalation, and other severe consequences.

While some housing fires are caused by accidents, in other cases it is faulty gas lines and meters, faulty wiring, and faulty appliances.

Any fire should be reviewed for possible liability, especially when gas or electrical lines are the cause. Your burn accident lawyer will be able to investigate what happened and determine whether negligence played a factor.

If a defective product played a causal role in the injuries sustained your lawyer will need to prove its role in the accident.

• First degree burns - Characterized by skin that is red and sensitive to the touch. There is little to no tissue damage and the burn does not penetrate the surface of the skin. Pain and swelling are typical with a first degree burn. A typical sunburn is one example of a first degree burn.
• Second degree burns - Penetrate the skin and are characterized by blistering, swelling, redness and pain. In many cases the sweat glands and hair follicles are also damaged. If not properly cared for it can turn into a third degree burn.
• Third degree burns - The skin becomes charred or translucent and the damage penetrates deeply into the tissues. Areas with third degree burns are often numb due to nerve damage; however, there may be pain due to surrounding second degree areas. Take a long time to heal and will cause extensive scarring.
• Fourth degree burns - So destructive that they reach the muscles, ligaments and tendons are categorized as burns of the fourth degree. These are life threatening and can often require amputation.

Liability does not depend on the severity of your injuries.

Damages may be sought when you sue for recovery for losses incurred, damages over pain and suffering, medical costs, and loss of income. Available recoverable damages will be determined by state with jurisdiction.

If you were burned on someone else's property, and the property owner, company or business did not reasonably provide for your safety, you may have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit.

If hurt while on the job, your employers workers compensation insurance may entitle you to financial recovery.

The following types of burn injuries regularly result in legal claims:

Electrical Injuries - These are caused by contact with high voltage electricity. Anyone working in the electrical field is always at a high risk for these injuries. The burn is the result of the electricity exiting the body. You may have grounds for a liability claim if proper safety precautions weren't taken, if the equipment malfunctioned, or if you were hurt while at work.

Thermal Injuries - Occur when the skin contacts a substance or surface that is over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be flame, steam, hot liquids or hot surfaces. Most commonly encountered in industrial locations, factories, and with restaurant employees.

Flammable Clothing Injuries - Although clothing in the U.S. must comply with the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), these injuries still occur. A type of thermal burn, they are especially dangerous as the flame spreads rapidly through the clothing, causing damage over much of the body. The cause will be the determining factor in deciding if you have grounds for a product liability claim. ^[2]

Automobile injuries - Serious auto accidents are commonly accompanied by flames, which can cause thermal burns. Many of these fires can be caused or exacerbated by gasoline, making them potentially deadly. An experienced car accident law firm is no stranger to severe burns along with the other catastrophic injuries often associated with collisions.

Chemical injuries - Caused when the skin comes in contact with very strong acids or alkaloids. Laboratories and industrial plants often use strong chemicals and workers in these places are at high risk for chemical burns, and may be entitled to a workers compensation claim under the law. Many strong chemicals can dissolve skin and are difficult to wash off the skin. Equipment malfunction may lead to liability and provide grounds for a lawsuit in some cases as well.

Radiation injuries - Can be caused by exposure to nuclear radiation, x-rays, ultraviolet light, sunlight and tanning beds, for example. Burned victims will be best suited by a legal advocate experienced with radiation burns and the implications of these unique injuries.

Inhalation injuries - Caused when hot air from a fire, fumes from chemical spills or other toxic fumes are inhaled. Can cause an inflammation of the respiratory system, anoxic brain injuries, and death.