Burn injuries can have a major impact on your life. Depending on the severity of the injury, you can suffer from permanent scarring, nerve damage, and pain. Many accidents can lead to serious burns, including car crashes, workplace accidents, and interactions with defective products. If someone else caused your burn injury, you may be eligible for legal action. From vehicle crashes to defective machinery lawsuits in Fresno, Freedman Law can help. We’re committed to securing the compensation you deserve to help get your life back on track. Our Fresno burn injury attorneys can represent you in a lawsuit against the person responsible for your catastrophic injuries, providing the effective and meticulous representation you need.
There are several types of burn injuries. Many people sustain burns from fires or open flames, while others experience scalding injuries from hot liquids and steam. Contact with corrosive chemicals, open electrical currents, and hot metal or glass may also lead to a burn injury. Burns can happen at any time, in any place—including homes, workplaces, and public spaces.
Medical professionals classify burn injuries by severity.
Fresno burn injury victims may be eligible for legal action. If you suffered a burn injury and someone else’s actions may be responsible, you could file a lawsuit or insurance claim against the negligent party. Through your claim, you can recover compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses that you sustained due to your burn.
At Freedman Law, our Fresno personal injury lawyers represent burn injury victims who have experienced multiple types of accidents and acts of negligence. Some types of claims we handle include the following.
Burn injuries are excruciating and can leave victims with long-lasting physical and psychological scars. In addition, the recovery process can be grueling and possibly require costly skin grafting procedures. Still, victims may suffer nerve damage, loss of range of motion, significant scarring, or even amputation in some cases. All of which can drastically impact your quality of life. During this challenging time, it is in your best interests to hire a trusted and skilled Fresno burn injury attorney who can assist you with your claim while you focus on recovering.
Your attorney will investigate your accident, collect evidence, and deal with the insurance company on your behalf to negotiate a fair settlement. Burn injuries can be costly, and your awarded compensation should include your anticipated future costs of medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Your lawyer will not back down until you are offered the compensation you deserve or will prepare your case and represent you in court if necessary.
To recover compensation in your burn injury claim, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s actions caused your accident and resulting burn. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, you would need to prove that the other driver caused the collision. In cases involving defective products, you would need to show that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury.
Proving a burn injury lawsuit can be a challenge without an attorney on your side. A Fresno burn injury lawyer from Freedman Law can conduct a full investigation into your accident, enlist the help of expert witnesses, and gather the evidence you need to prove your right to recovery. With our legal representation, you can be confident that we will fight fiercely for fair compensation in your personal injury claim.
Depending on the circumstances of your burn injury accident, you may be able to recover compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages repay a victim for economic and non-economic losses suffered as a result of their accident or injuries.
Economic damages are those with a calculable financial cost to the victim, such as:
Non-economic damages do not have a calculable financial cost, but are nonetheless factors impacting the victim or their recovery. Some common non-economic damages include:
In addition, punitive damages may be levied against the person or group responsible for your injuries in some cases. They are calculated in addition to compensatory damages and are meant to punish a defendant for intentionally wrongful or malicious acts.
After your burn injury, the insurance company for the liable party may be quick to offer you a settlement for your damages. However, these early settlement offers oftentimes fail to take into account the long-term costs you may accrue as you recover fully from your wounds. While it may sound appealing to get compensated for your accident as quickly as possible with very little hassle, it’s worth getting the opinion of a skilled Fresno burn injury lawyer before accepting an initial settlement offer.
Insurance companies tend to protect their bottom line as much as possible, and an early settlement offer is likely to be as low as possible, to your detriment. You should never speak to an insurance adjuster without first speaking with your attorney. Remember that any recorded statement given can be used by the insurance company to demonstrate that you bore some responsibility for your injuries, thus allowing for a lower settlement figure.
Are there other causes of burns other than coming into contact with fire?
Yes. In addition to contact with open flames, people can be burned by scalding, electricity, chemicals, contact with a hot item, explosions, and radiation.
Where do burn injuries usually happen?
Most burn accidents take place in the home and the workplace. They may also be caused in a motor vehicle collision, particularly if a semi-truck is involved. An injury lawyer can file a Fresno truck accident lawsuit on your behalf to seek damages for your wounds.
What workers are most susceptible to burn injuries?
Any worker who comes into contact with electricity, tools, or machinery may be at risk of suffering an electrical burn. Still, the riskiest industries for burn injury accidents are construction, transportation, utilities, mining, and manufacturing.
Will I get workers’ compensation if I am burned while on the job?
Yes, workers who suffer a burn injury while on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, in some cases, there may also be a third party involved who is liable for damages.
What types of treatment are available for burn injuries?
The type of treatment you require will depend on the severity of your burn injury but may include:
Why are there blisters and open areas on my burn injury?
As the skin heals it is very fragile and the outer layer (epidermis) is not attached tightly to the deeper layers of skin. As a result, you may experience tears, open areas, or blisters. Additionally, if you have undergone a skin graft, it is common for small areas to open easily because fluid builds up underneath immediately after surgery.
What type of burn injury requires skin grafting?
Full-thickness or deep second-degree burns often require skin grafts to promote healing and minimize scarring.
How much compensation am I entitled to for my burn injury?
The value of your case will depend on its unique factors, such as:
Burn injury settlements can range from $10,000 for a minor injury to millions for a catastrophic burn. For an estimate and a better understanding of your case’s worth, it is best to speak to a burn injury attorney.
If you sustained a burn injury in Fresno, help is available. A personal injury attorney at Freedman Law can represent your claim and recover the settlement that you need. We invite you to fill out our online contact form or call 559-447-9000 to schedule your consultation and plan your next steps.