Burn injuries can be similar to car accidents, in the sense that they can occur when you least expect it. Was it a normal day, going to work or picking up the kids, and randomly you touch something that causes your skin to burn? Most of the time, burns happen in places or with objects that you would never expect a burn from. The best example is with electrical hardware that produces a shock to your body which in consequence burns the skin. The worst part is not the pain at the time of the burns that generally last more than a few minutes and in cases days, but the high risk of infection if not treated properly. If you have been badly burned through someone else’s negligence, contact Malloy Law Offices, LLC at (888) 219-6445, today. Our experienced Bethesda Burn Injury Attorneys are dedicated legal advocates for burn injury victims.
Burn injuries can occur through a multitude of ways, including workplace injuries, auto vehicle accidents, and accidents due to negligently or poorly maintained premises, such as poorly repaired or maintained machinery, unsafe working or living conditions, or defective products. Other ways include dry heat (fire or heated implements), wet heat (steam or scalding liquids), friction, electricity, radiation, caustic chemicals, the sun, and even from exposure to severe cold, such as frostbite.
Burns can be caused by many different kinds of sources. The most common type of burn is caused by heat, also known as a thermal burn. Thermal burns can occur through wet or dry heat, such as a hot oil or grease spill, or fire, coming into contact with hot metal or heated implements like a malfunctioning electrical unit, or even scalding water caused by a broken water heater.
Chemical burns are caused by caustic chemicals that have come into contact with someone’s skin.
Some common situations may include workplace accidents, like a chemical spill. Others may include mislabeled products, or even cleaning solutions that were mishandled by employees at restaurants and stores, causing internal burns through food and drink contamination.
Electrical burns can occur almost anywhere there is a source of electricity. People repairing power lines are at risk, as well as electricians, and anyone attempting a repair of a damaged or defective product in their home or vehicle. Much less commonly, electrical burns can also be caused when someone is struck by lightning.
Medical professionals rank burns on a numerical scale according to severity.
Medical treatment for severe burns may include:
If the burned area is large or covers joints, you may need physical therapy to stretch the skin and keep the joints flexible. Victims who have suffered severe burns may need one or a combination of procedures, which may include:
When a burn injury happened as a consequence of someone else’s negligence, then the victim is entitled to receiving monetary awards for their injuries, including lost wages, pain, and suffering, and medical bills. There are a lot of factors in determining how much of compensation the victim will receive, that is why a case evaluation is always recommended with a Bethesda personal injury attorney. Things that impact the monetary awards can be the severity of the burns, medical bills, loss of income, therapy needed, pain and suffering, and even sometimes the emotional distress that follows the accident.
Depending on the severity of the burn and other factors, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are only granted in very specific cases where malice and an intent to cause harm on the part of the defendant can be proven in court. A jury will award punitive damages based on these factors.
Burns can be life-altering injuries. Not only are they incredibly painful, but scarring, the manner in which the person was burned, and the severity of the burn all play into how long recovery will take, whether or not there was more significant damage, such as nerve damage, loss of range of motion, or even amputation, and change to the quality of life. If you or a loved one have suffered burns, contact a skilled personal injury attorney in Maryland for representation. They will be able to review the facts of the case, determine fault, and push for recovery of damages. Our trial lawyers have more than 15 years of experience and a history of success, recovering substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients. We believe that every person who suffers an accident has the right to claim the compensation he or she deserves. Our burn injury lawyers are dedicated to pursuing the maximum recovery available under the law. Contact our Bethesda Burn Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation, our number is 202-646-0727.