Among the most destructive types of injuries are burn injuries. They can lead to severe debilitation and death. They also frequently leave scars and marks that forever alter the appearance and mental health of victims. Sadly, there are many common causes of burn injury, and many of them are avoidable.
Why Choose Us?
Relentless Advocates
At Wapner Newman, we use every ounce of our experience and every strategy necessary to recover the funds you need and deserve for your injuries. We never settle for less than our injury clients deserve. You can rely on our team of burn injury lawyers to aggressively pursue what you are entitled to.
At Wapner Newman, we offer:
- A years-long track record of wins for clients
- Representation by top burn injury lawyers
- Free consultations
- No upfront costs.
If serious, your burn injuries may have led to significant monetary and non-monetary losses. Let Wapner Newman fight to get you compensated by those who have caused you harm.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries and Who’s Responsible
When it comes to burn injury claims, the responsible party is typically liable due to negligence. Negligence occurs when one person fails to maintain a duty of care toward another and that person is injured or killed. In burn injury cases, this may occur in all manner of contexts, including:
- Traffic: Drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, failure to obey traffic rules
- Work: Dangerous jobs and jobs with heat, fire, and chemical dangers
- Restaurants: Unreasonably hot beverages and food
- Defective Products: Defective lithium batteries, tools and equipment, and vehicle parts.
Regarding defective products, product liability cases are typically decided on the basis of strict liability, not negligence. Product makers are strictly liable for their merchandise and the losses they cause. Plaintiffs need prove only that a product was dangerously defective and not that the product maker was negligent.
In every case, burn victims need experienced personal injury lawyers to represent them against insurance companies to recover what they need for their losses. Attorneys must build strong cases and follow established procedures to be successful. While doing so, plaintiffs may devote their thoughts and time to recovery and the future.
Burns in General
The following classifications are typically used to describe the seriousness of a burn:
- First-Degree: Affecting only the epidermis
- Second-Degree: Affecting the epidermis and the dermis
- Third-Degree: Destruction of skin and potentially bone, muscle, tendons, and nerves.
The severity of the burn can affect how much compensation you could receive as more serious burns lead to higher medical bills and more time away from your job.
Although heat and open flame are the most common cause of burns in older adults, burns may be caused by a variety of other sources, such as:
- Chemicals
- Radiation
- Electricity.
Even extreme cold can lead to a type of burn injury that destroys the skin and underlying tissue just as thermal (heat) burns do.
Burn Treatment and Rehab
Burns lead to a host of medical issues, such as amputation, scarring, chronic infection, loss of mobility, and more, and you deserve compensation for the costs of these treatments. Advanced treatments have been developed recently that improve the healing trajectory of burn injury patients as well as their appearance. They include:
- Intensive wound treatment and care
- Pain management
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Cosmetic treatment
- Skin grafting
- Mental health treatment and monitoring.
In the end, however, burn injury victims must endure painful months or years of recovery and adjustment. Compensation helps considerably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common burn injury questions and answers follow. Feel free to contact us to discuss any questions or concerns you have.
What is the statute of limitations to file a burn injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In general, burn injury victims have two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit for compensation. Minors, however, have until their 20th birthday as the clock does not start ticking until their 18th birthday.
Do I really need a burn injury lawyer to represent me?
You need a burn injury lawyer to represent you if you need to recover as much compensation as possible. A burn injury lawyer will fight to get you far more than what an insurance company would offer you on your own.
How long does a burn injury claim take?
Burn injury claim resolution times vary according to the circumstances of each case. Some are quickly resolved, while others may take a year or more. The burn injury lawyers at Wapner Newman understand the overwhelming need burn injury victims have and work aggressively to get them the money they need as quickly as possible.
How much money will I get for my burn injury claim?
It all depends on the sum of the compensable losses you have suffered. Compensable losses in burn injury cases include:
- Medical and hospital treatment
- Burn injury rehab
- Lost wages and income
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
You may also be entitled to punitive damages if the injury was caused by gross negligence or intentional wrongful acts.
As you might imagine, more serious injuries command higher compensation figures. Also in play is a victim’s lost income. A burn victim who makes a high salary will get higher compensation than an identical victim who makes $50,000 per year.
Your questions are important to us. Feel free to reach out at your convenience to speak with an experienced burn injury lawyer.
Speak With a Burn Injury Lawyer
Get Justice for Your Losses
Burn injury victims need access to every dollar of compensation they deserve. The costs of treatment and the impact of intangible losses require full damages. If you or someone you love has experienced a burn injury, get the help you need to claim the compensation you deserve.