Burn injuries leave a lasting mark, both physically and mentally, as victims endure excruciating pain and face challenging recoveries. In addition to bodily harm, burn injuries burden individuals with overwhelming medical expenses, rehabilitation needs, and profound emotional distress. If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries through someone else’s negligence, you may qualify for a burn injury lawsuit.
The Lake Law Firm supports burn victims in their fight for justice. We understand the profound impact that burn injuries can have on individuals and their families. Juggling your recovery while attempting to file a claim alone can be challenging. Call (888) 525-3529 or fill out the free case evaluation form to get in touch with our dedicated burn injury lawyers today.
There are several types of burn injuries that depend on what caused the burn. These burns vary in degree of severity and can injure victims externally and internally.
Thermal burns are the most common type of burn injury, resulting from contact with heat sources such as fires, hot surfaces, or scalding liquids. These burns occur when the skin’s tissues encounter extreme temperatures, causing damage and pain.
Chemical burns occur when the skin or eyes encounter corrosive substances like acids or alkalis. These burns can have long-term consequences, causing extensive tissue damage, scarring, and, in severe cases, impairment of affected body parts.
Electrical burns result from contact with electrical sources, such as faulty wiring, exposed power lines, or electrical equipment. The danger of electrical burns goes beyond the visible damage to the skin. Electrical shocks can lead to internal injuries, including organ damage, nerve damage, or even cardiac arrest.
Burn injuries are classified into different degrees of severity, ranging from first-degree to third-degree burns, each characterized by varying levels of damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
First-degree burns are the mildest form of burns, affecting only the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. These burns typically result in redness, pain, and mild swelling. While these burns can usually be treated with home remedies and over-the-counter ointments, it’s important to monitor them for signs of infection and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist.
Second-degree burns are more serious than first-degree burns. These burns involve damage to both the epidermis and the underlying layer of skin, called the dermis. They are characterized by symptoms such as intense pain, redness, blistering, and swelling. Second-degree burns can be caused by prolonged exposure to flames, scalding liquids, or hot surfaces. In severe cases, second-degree burns may require skin grafting or other advanced treatments to promote healing and prevent infection.
Third-degree burns are more severe and penetrate through the epidermis and dermis, extending into deeper tissues. These burns often result in a blackened or charred appearance and can cause significant nerve damage, leading to the loss of sensation in the affected area. Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention, as they can be life-threatening. Treatment may involve surgical interventions such as the removal of dead tissue and skin grafting, along with extensive rehabilitation and long-term care.
Fourth-degree burns affect both layers of the skin, deep tissue, and even possibly muscle, tendons, and bone, resulting in the destruction of nerve endings.
Burn injuries can have long-term effects that extend far beyond the initial incident. These effects can vary depending on the severity and location of the burn. Physically, burn injuries can lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, and limited mobility. The scarring can cause functional impairments and restrict a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks.
Additionally, burn survivors may experience chronic pain, nerve damage, and sensitivity to temperature changes. Psychologically, burn injuries can have a profound impact, resulting in emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The psychological scars can affect relationships, self-esteem, and the overall quality of life. Long-term medical treatment, including surgeries, physical therapy, and psychological counseling, may be necessary to address these lasting effects. Burn injury victims need to receive comprehensive support and compensation to ensure ongoing care and assistance for the physical, emotional, and financial challenges they may face in the aftermath of the injury.
In a burn injury lawsuit, the location and circumstances of the burn incident play a significant role in determining who is liable and who should be named as defendants in the lawsuit. The responsible party could be a property owner, manufacturer, an employer, or another individual or entity with a duty of care. Burn injury lawsuits are rooted in negligence, product defect, or premises liability.
In burn injury cases, establishing negligence is crucial to determining liability. Responsible parties, such as property owners or manufacturers, have a duty of care to ensure the safety of individuals. This duty includes taking reasonable measures to prevent burn injuries. To prove negligence, it must be shown that the responsible party breached their duty of care and that this breach directly caused the burn injury. For example, if a property owner fails to address known fire hazards or a manufacturer produces a defective product that causes a burn, they may be held liable for negligence.
When an individual suffers a burn injury from a defective product, this is a matter of product liability. Defective products can include faulty electrical devices, flammable materials, or malfunctioning appliances. For example, individuals have filed lawsuits over burn injuries sustained from allegedly defective pressure cookers.
Manufacturers have a responsibility to design and produce safe products. In burn injury cases, strict liability may apply, meaning that the manufacturer can be held liable regardless of their level of negligence. Failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions about potential burn hazards associated with the product can also lead to liability claims.
Premises liability comes into play when a burn injury occurs on someone else’s property. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions and warn visitors of potential hazards that could cause burns. If an unsafe condition, such as exposed wiring or scalding liquids, leads to a burn injury, you may be able to hold the property owner liable for the resulting damages.
Establishing liability in burn injury cases requires a thorough investigation and an understanding of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident. Seeking the assistance of experienced legal professionals, like those at The Lake Law Firm, can help build a strong case by gathering evidence, evaluating liability, and pursuing rightful compensation for the burn injury victim.
If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for:
The court may also consider the extent of your burn injuries, any scarring or disfigurement, how your burns have impacted your quality of life or that of your loved ones, and more when determining the appropriate compensation, if any.
Burn victims have achieved favorable outcomes in their pursuit of justice. A few examples of significant wins in burn injury lawsuits include:
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. A burn injury lawyer will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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