I spend a lot of time listening to the client. You begin, then, to hear things that you didn’t think were possible. The imagination starts working and then you find a way.
Long Beach Burn Injury Attorney
Compensation for Severe Burn Injuries
Other than full-body paralysis, few catastrophic injuries can seriously alter every part of a person’s life—but burns can. Besides the high level of physical pain a burn injury can cause, the scarring and disfigurement a burn leaves behind can lead to severe emotional pain.
If you or a loved one has endured a serious burn injury because of someone else, you need to contact an experienced Long Beach personal injury attorney. With The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV on your side, you’ll have a fighting chance of getting the money you need to heal. We can be contacted at (888) 454-5569.
What Injuries Are Considered Burn Injuries?
In California, the legal definition of a burn injury is fairly wide. A burn injury may be caused by heat sources, like fire. Burn injuries are also caused by electricity, scalding from hot steam, or from exposure to dangerous chemicals and fumes. There are several types of burns:
- Thermal burns: Caused by the skin coming into contact with fire, or a hot object around the house or workplace. Heaters, lamps, and curling irons are some common commercial products that can cause a burn injury.
- Scalds: Caused by the skin coming into contact with hot liquid, steam, or boiling fluids.
- Chemical burns: Caused by the skin coming into contact with dangerous or noxious chemicals. Drain cleaner and batteries are commonly known to cause chemical burns.
- Electrical burns: Caused (usually) by a person making contact with frayed electrical cords or unsafe electrical outlets.
When Can You File a Lawsuit Over a Burn?
Not every burn is someone else’s fault. In order to hold another person or company liable for your burn-related costs, you must prove that they were negligent, and their negligence directly caused your injury. For example, if a restaurant serves you hot soup that is well above the standard industry temperature, and spills it, burning you severely, then you have a case.
These cases may also be pursued under a theory of product liability or premises liability. If a product malfunctions or has a defect, like a toy with an exposed wire, then the manufacturer of the product may be held liable for a burn injury. Only a defect needs to be proven, not negligence.
If you are burned on someone else’s premises—for example, if you visit another person’s apartment and receive a burn there—you can file a lawsuit against the homeowner or landlord’s insurance company. Property owners owe their guests a duty of care to prevent foreseeable harm. If the homeowner left a hot object or equipment where guests could run into it, and did not warn them about it, that homeowner would be liable.
The Different Burn Injury Classifications
Burn injuries are grouped, by severity, into the following categories:
- First-degree burns: Burns to the top layer of skin. First-degree burns cause redness, swelling, and pain to the touch.
- Second-degree burns: Burns to the upper two layers of skin (the epidermis and the dermis). Second-degree burns cause deep redness to the skin, severe pain, blisters, and possible skin loss.
- Third-degree burns: Third-degree burns completely penetrate the skin and destroy muscle tissue. These burns can leave skin looking black or white, and very dry.
While any burn injury can be painful, second- and third-degree burns are considered more serious injuries. These burns will most likely leave scars and cause disfigurement.
Financial Compensation for Your Injuries
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may seek financial compensation for losses related to the burns. The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV can help you pursue compensation for the following:
- Current and future medical bills
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Lost wages from missing work
- Lost future wages
- Lost career earning capacity
- Home and vehicle modifications (like wheelchair ramps or special bathing equipment)
In the event that you lost a loved one, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
What If the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim?
Few defendants want to admit they did anything wrong, and neither do their insurance companies. The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV has experience in dealing with big insurers and their lawyers. The insurance company will try to confuse you; they will try to make you sign forms and paperwork that could ultimately strip you of your rights. Never sign anything or give a recorded statement without first consulting your own personal injury attorney.
Contact a Dedicated Long Beach Burn Injury Lawyer
The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV can help you pursue the financial compensation you need to heal and move on after a burn injury. You can reach us at (888) 454-5569.
Additional Information
- Top Causes of Long Beach Burn Injuries
- Burn Injury Information from MedlinePlus
- American Burn Association