Burn injuries are not just those caused by fires but also electrical burns, chemical burns, scalding, and more. Most of us have experienced some type of burn in our lifetime, but sometimes, the injury is so severe that it requires advanced medical care and even some long-term rehabilitation. Some cases also leave permanent marks on a person’s physical appearance, which impact their self-esteem and emotional health.
If you’ve suffered a serious burn due to someone else’s actions, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses and suffering. However, it can be difficult to claim the full compensation you need and deserve. Get the help of a competent burn injury attorney who can establish your damages and fight for your rightful claim.
In Temecula and nearby areas in California, people trust the injury lawyers at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC. Our firm has won high-value cases for our past clients through our in-depth experience and skill in personal injury claims. Talk to us about your burn accident and see how we can help.
Causes of Burn Injuries
Many cases of burns could have been prevented if only all parties acted with adequate care. Unfortunately, negligent parties often cause accidents that lead to serious burn injuries. These are some of the common situations that lead to burns:
- Unattended heat sources – According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the top causes of home fires in the US include cooking, heating, candles, and smoking.
- Electrical hazards – The NFPA reports that roughly 10 percent of home fires each year involve issues with wiring, cords, lighting, or plugs. Electrical fires also occur in workplaces and other buildings where electrical works are not installed or maintained by a qualified electrician.
- Electrical burns – Besides burning from a fire, direct contact with electricity can also cause burns. Examples are touching a household current or an exposed live wire. An electrical burn can cause internal tissue damage that’s much more severe than it looks.
- Chemical exposure – Caustic or corrosive substances can cause serious burn injuries when they come in contact with the skin or eyes. Common examples of such chemicals include ammonia, battery acid, bleach, drain cleaners, and even some tooth whitening products.
Sadly, chemical accidents occur not just through sudden spills but also through improper storage, inadequate labeling, and inattention, especially when children are around. - Scalding accidents – Scalding is a type of burn caused by a high-heat wet material such as hot water or steam. According to the American Burn Association, up to 90 percent of scalding injuries involve cooking or drinking hot liquids like coffee. Thousands of scald injuries in emergency rooms also involve household appliances including coffeemakers and bathtubs.
Determining the cause of your burn injury is crucial in establishing who was at fault and thus, who is liable. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate your case and determine where fault lies in your accident.
Degrees of Burn Injuries
The severity of a burn injury is expressed in degrees:
- First-degree burn – This is the least severe category of burns, causing only minimal damage to the skin’s outer layer (epidermis). At most, its symptoms include mild pain, redness, and some swelling. First-degree burns can heal in a few days with some antibiotic ointment.
- Second-degree burn – This affects the epidermis and the layer below it (dermis). Its most recognizable symptom are blisters that sometimes open and become wet and splotchy. It’s important to get professional medical care for second-degree burns because these leave the skin open to infections.
- Third-degree burn – This most severe burn reaches beyond the skin and damages tissues underneath. Often, when surrounding nerves are damaged, the victim may not feel as much pain from the burn. Despite that, urgent medical care is crucial to treat tissue damage and prevent serious infection.
Does My Burn Injury Qualify for Compensation?
A severe burn injury can rack up medical expenses and lost income, as well as rehabilitation costs and mental distress. All of these may be compensable in a personal injury claim. However, if your burn injury seems minor, you may be wondering, “Can I get compensation for a minor burn?”
Firstly, you should never underestimate a burn injury. Many burns have deeper or more extensive damage than you can see on the surface, so it’s best to have your injury checked by a doctor, especially if symptoms linger.
To get a clear assessment of your case, you’ll want to consult a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney should thoroughly examine many factors such as the size of the injury, the pain and suffering you experienced, whether the injury prevented you from working, and whether it developed complications. Though small first-degree burns typically don’t warrant an injury claim, some burns lead to greater costs such as if infections or complications ensue.
How Much Compensation Can I Get for My Burn Injury?
Settlement amounts vary greatly among burn injury cases because each case is a unique combination of factors and effects. In general, a successful personal injury claim could compensate you for the following damages:
- Medical bills, which may include emergency fees, debridement costs, skin grafting costs, infection treatment costs, medication expenses, reconstruction surgery, and related treatments for other damaged tissues or organs.
- Rehabilitation/Therapy costs
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental/emotional distress
- Permanent scarring/disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life.
If the burn accident tragically caused the death of your family member, you may file a wrongful death claim to get compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost companionship
- Lost benefits
- Lost care and guidance.
Consult an experienced injury attorney to determine the full damages you may be entitled to. Our personal injury lawyers at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC have been handling cases like yours for over 25 years now, and they know how to maximize each client’s case value. We want you to get the maximum compensation you deserve after the immense losses and distress you experienced with your burn injury.
Contact a Temecula Bus Crash Attorney
Injured individuals and families in Riverside County trust Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC for serious injury cases. Our firm has obtained maximum compensation on behalf of our clients, including several million-dollar injury settlements and verdicts.
Your consultation with us is free, and we won’t charge lawyer fees unless and until we obtain compensation for you.
Call (951) 699-2100 for a free burn injury case evaluation.
