Long Beach Burn Injury Attorney

Representation for Victims of Severe Burn Injuries in Long Beach

Southern California is notorious for its wildfire season, exacerbated by dry conditions and Santa Ana winds. Long Beach’s major industrial activity contributes to environmental factors that can increase fire risks. Industrial operations, including manufacturing and shipping, produce pollutants that degrade air quality and contribute to the region’s overall environmental stress.

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 (562) 901-0840 or toll-free 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 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 cleaners 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.

Types of Accidents That Typically Cause Burn Injuries

Accidents that involve combustible and flammable materials have the potential to lead to burn injuries, including:

Motor Vehicle Accidents: Vehicle collisions can result in burns due to fires or explosions from ruptured fuel tanks or electrical components. Common scenarios include fuel tank ruptures, electrical fires from damaged wiring, or fires ignited by collisions involving flammable materials.
Workplace Accidents: Hazardous workplace environments, such as chemical spills or electrical accidents, can lead to severe burns. Employers are responsible for maintaining safe working conditions and providing proper training and protective gear to prevent burns. Negligence in safety protocols or failure to address hazards can lead to employer liability for workplace burn injuries.
Product Liability: Defective products, such as malfunctioning appliances, electronics, or products containing flammable materials, can cause burns. Under product liability laws, manufacturers and retailers are liable for burns caused by defective products. Victims can seek compensation for injuries and damages from using faulty products that cause burns.
Premises Liability: Fires caused by building or landlord negligence, such as inadequate fire prevention measures or faulty wiring, can lead to burn injuries. Property owners and landlords are responsible for maintaining safe premises and preventing fire hazards. Neglecting fire safety regulations or failing to address known hazards can result in premises liability for burn injuries sustained on their property.

When Can You File a Lawsuit in Long Beach 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 a 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 product manufacturer may be 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.

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.
Fourth-Degree Burns: The most severe, extending beyond skin layers to affect bones, muscles, and tendons, often requiring extensive medical intervention.

While any burn injury can be painful, second- and third-degree burns are considered more serious. These burns will most likely leave scars and cause disfigurement.

Understanding Wound Care, Burn Treatment, and Rehabilitation

Prompt medical attention for burn injuries is crucial to prevent complications and promote healing. Initial steps include cooling the burn with running cool water for several minutes, covering the burn with a clean, sterile dressing, and seeking medical evaluation for further treatment.

Burns requiring hospitalization include severe second-degree burns and all third-degree burns. Surgical procedures may involve skin grafting to replace damaged skin with healthy skin from other parts of the body or synthetic skin substitutes. This promotes healing and reduces infection risk.

Physical therapy helps burn victims regain mobility, strength, and function in affected areas. Occupational therapy assists in adapting to daily activities and returning to work. Psychological counseling supports coping with trauma, managing pain, and adjusting to changes in appearance or abilities post-injury.

Impact of Burn Injuries on the Quality of Life

Burn injuries can profoundly impact the quality of life. Physically, survivors often face chronic pain, limited mobility, and permanent scarring that can cause disfigurement. Managing these challenges requires ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.

Emotionally, burn victims may experience PTSD and other psychological effects stemming from the trauma of the injury and recovery process. Mental health professionals, including counseling and support groups, are significant resources for coping with emotional trauma and adjusting to life post-injury. Comprehensive care that addresses both physical disabilities and emotional well-being is essential for enhancing the long-term quality of life for burn injury survivors.

What Financial Compensation Is Available for Long Beach Burn Injury Victims?

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 Should You Do 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 dealing with big insurers and their lawyers. The insurance company will try to confuse you and 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 Long Beach personal injury lawyer.

Contact Our Dedicated Long Beach Burn Injury Attorney

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. With over 20 years of legal service, our firm understands how to listen; we’re confident in our abilities to craft and deliver a story to the judge and jury that works in your best interests.

You can reach our burn injury lawyer in Long Beach at (562) 901-0840 or toll-free at (888) 454-5569.

Additional Information

"Joseph, Thank you for your assistance. Your understanding compassion & incredible expertise are admired & appreciated. I will be referring any of my clients who require legal help to you."
- M.D.