Boca Raton Burn Injury Lawyer

Thermal heat, electrical current, chemical exposure, and radiation are common causes of burn-related tissue damage. Some burns are severe with far-reaching consequences, resulting in complex life-threatening injuries that can harm every organ system.

Severe burn injuries can leave long-term physical and psychological scars. If you get injured by an unsafe product or a hazard on a poorly maintained property, you need the expertise of an experienced Boca Raton catastrophic injury lawyer. Eltringham Law Group can help you get compensated for your burn injuries and navigate your road ahead.

Classification of Burn Injuries

Burns are among the most traumatic and expensive injuries to treat. Research shows that about 50,000 people are hospitalized annually in the U.S. because of burn injuries, while another 10,000 succumb to related infections.

A burn’s depth is determined after 24 hours, as blisters and injuries develop with time. The deeper a burn penetrates the skin surface, the more severe the wound. Burns fall into three main categories: first, second, and third-degree.

First-degree burns

These superficial burns affect only the outer skin layer (the epidermis). The burn site is often blister-free but appears red, painful, and dry; long-term tissue damage is uncommon. Hot water or hot objects may cause first-degree burns.

Second-degree burns

Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and a portion of the inner skin layer (dermis). The burn area is typically blistered, red, inflamed, and painful.

Third-degree burns

These burns destroy the epidermis and dermis, where the burn site appears white or charred. Severe third-degree burns are known to damage the bones, muscles, and tendons beneath the skin. Because of the damage to nerve endings, usually little to no sensation is in the burn area. Extensive third-degree burns can cost thousands of dollars in treatment and take years of repeat admissions or rehabilitation.

Burns affecting 15 to 20% of an adult’s body or 10% of a child’s body are considered major injuries, requiring extended hospital stays. If someone else’s negligence causes a fatality, the burn victim’s family may file a wrongful death claim against the person or entity.

Available Treatment for Burn Injuries

Burn victims require the highly specialized services of medical specialists who collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team. Some facilities are solely dedicated to the restoration of burn patients and, as such, offer comprehensive burn rehabilitation services and integrated medical care.

Burn rehabilitation is designed to meet each patient’s specific needs. Accordingly, treatment may last anywhere from days to months and even years, depending on the extent of the burn.

Burn rehabilitation programs may comprise of:

• Wound care
• Physical therapy
• Nutritional advice
• Pain management
• Skin grafting and cosmetic surgery/reconstruction
• Education and counseling for patients and their families
• Occupational therapy for assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• Counseling to address common emotional responses, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia

Common Causes of Burn Injury Accidents

Burns may be suffered from work-related or auto accidents, and sometimes at unsafe premises. Businesses and property owners should take the utmost care of their social visitors or private residences. If a customer or guest is unaware that something is hot, or there are live wires or open flames, the owner of the property could be responsible.

Who can you hold accountable if you get burned by accident? Liability in a burn injury claim depends on where and how the burn occurred.

A burn injury lawyer can help victims prove the at-fault party was negligent in protecting their customers against avoidable harm.

How Much is a Burn Injury Settlement Worth?

While burn injuries usually result in higher settlement values due to the extent of the pain, suffering and intense scarring, some factors affect the settlement value. The severity of the burn and the amount of medical treatment it requires can impact the value of a burn injury claim.

Also, the amount of time missed from work and the ability or inability to fully recover, including the length of recovery time can affect the settlement value. Another consideration is who is at fault for the injury, whether guilt can be proven, and how much insurance the at-fault party has.

The average settlement value for a burn injury claim cannot be estimated, but a liable defendant may be responsible for compensating a burn victim for the following:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Pursue punitive damages meant to punish the defendant

A Burn Injury Lawyer in Boca Raton Can Help

As your burn injury lawyers, we can:

• Launch a thorough investigation to determine who is to blame for your injuries
• Use resources to gather supporting evidence from the police report and witness statements to back up your burn injury claim
• Liaise with experts and specialists who can shed light on the severity of your burn injuries
• Negotiate to obtain the maximum amount of compensation available

Contact an experienced lawyer at Eltringham Law Group in Boca Raton to assess your case and advise you on all available legal options in securing compensation for you.

Burn Injury Case FAQs