Burn Injury Lawsuit in 2024 | How to Recover Damages after Burn Injury
Severe burn injuries lead to permanent physical restrictions, scars, and emotional traumas. In some cases, it will leave you with lost income, medical bills, and a lot of pain. Burn injury lawsuit helps you recover the costs through a personal injury or worker’s compensation claim.
Types of burn injuries:
First-degree burn (superficial burns):
A mild burn and does not require any medical treatment. You might feel discomfort and see a reddening of the outer layer of your skin. However, you can likely use an over-the-counter topical burn remedy to reduce the pain. It heals on its own within a few days.
Second-degree burn (partial thickness burns):
It includes blisters, red skin, and pain. It might appear glossy or involve leaking of fluid and skin loss. Nevertheless, it should be treated by an experienced doctor or urgent care medical professional.
Third-degree burn (full-thickness burns):
As it penetrates the skin and destroys tissues, it is one of the most severe categories of burn injury. In this stage, your skin becomes dry and leathery and could appear brown, white, or black. Nonetheless, it requires emergency medical attention.
Most common burn injuries
Scalding:
when a hot liquid comes into contact with your skin.
Electrical burns:
when the electrical voltage on the surface of your skin causes internal damage.
Gas explosions:
when a gas leaks and catches fire.
Radiation burns:
Radiation from medical treatments or tanning beds.
Chemical burns:
when a strong acid or base comes into contact with your skin.
People with respiratory illness, kidney diseases, heart conditions, and diabetes are more affected by a burn than others without those conditions.
Steps to take after a burn injury
- Seek medical attention to reduce the long-term impact of your injury.
- Take pictures of your injuries as they progress and document each stage of healing.
- Contact a qualified lawyer to get your burn injury claim with a hassle-free procedure.
How to prove negligence in a burn injury claim?
The plaintiff (injured party) has the burden of proof that the defendant (accused party) is legally responsible for burn injury. Therefore, for a hassle-free burn injury lawsuit settlement, the plaintiff needs to show the defendant:
- Owned the plaintiff a legal duty of obligation.
- Duty or obligation was breached.
- The breach is the factual and legal cause of the accident.
- The burn injury accident caused harm to the plaintiff.
- Under state law, the defendant has to compensate the plaintiff for the harm suffered.
Compensation for burn injuries:
- Cost of medical treatment.
- Past and future income.
- Retraining cost if you can no longer work at the job you had before the injury.
- Benefits to the family of a worker who died from a work-related accident or illness.
- Partial compensation for permanent injuries.
If you want a lawyer who cares about you and the outcome of your burn injury lawsuit, choose Ethen Ostroff. He and his professional connections ensure you get every dollar possible for what you went through.