Fighting For Justice And Healing For Burn Injury Victims
Burn injuries are painful and can leave long-lasting physical and psychological scars. Burns are characterized by severe skin damage that causes the affected skin cells to die. The treatment of burns depends on the location and severity of the damage. Burns can be one of the most expensive and traumatic injuries to treat. In such difficult times, seeking the guidance of a burn injury attorney in Beachwood, Ohio, is essential to navigate the complex legal landscape and secure the compensation necessary for recovery and rebuilding.
Anyone with a burn injury that requires medical treatment should immediately speak with an Ohio law firm that handles burn injury cases. At Karp Steiger, we have an in-depth understanding of the specific circumstances surrounding burn accidents. We are committed to assisting burn injury victims in Ohio throughout their legal journey.
Contact us now to schedule a risk-free consultation with our Ohio personal injury attorneys and let us help you obtain the compensation you need to aid in your recovery.
What Is A Burn Injury?
A burn injury refers to damage to the skin or underlying tissues caused by exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation or friction. Burn injuries can range from mild to severe and can result in significant physical and emotional trauma.
Burn injuries are very complex and can affect all the major organ systems. Proper medical treatment and care are essential to manage burn injuries and promote healing. In some cases, legal assistance from a Beachwood burn injury lawyer may be necessary to seek compensation for the damages incurred.
What Are The Types Of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries can result from various sources, each presenting unique characteristics and potential complications. Understanding the different types and degrees of burns is essential to comprehending the severity and potential long-term consequences of such injuries. Our Beachwood, Ohio, burn injury attorney can explain the common types of burn injuries. Generally, there are four types of burns:
First-Degree Burns: Typically, first-degree burns are minor and tend to heal without much intervention. They’re considered superficial in nature and don’t penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and tissue. You might notice the affected area becoming red and painful, possibly swelling up, and it can be quite tender when touched. Sunburn or scalding from hot water are typical examples of this kind of burn.
First-degree burns usually heal within a few days, and medical treatment is usually not necessary. Over-the-counter pain relievers and cool compresses may be used to alleviate symptoms. It’s important to keep the affected area clean and dry to prevent infection.
Second-Degree Burns: Second-degree burns affect not only the top layer of skin but also the layer underneath. These burns often lead to blistering as well as red, swollen skin. They’re frequently the result of exposure to open flames or scalding liquids.
When these burns are more on the superficial side, affecting just the upper portion of the dermis, it’s often possible to heal completely without lasting scars. But when the burn goes further down into the dermis, it’s more likely to leave behind permanent marks or changes in skin color.
Third-Degree Burns: Third-degree burns are severe. They destroy the skin’s two main layers along with the delicate tissues beneath them. The burn site may look white, brown or charred due to the extent of the damage, which usually includes the destruction of nerve endings. As a result, there might be a reduced sensation of pain in the central area of the burn.
Despite this lack of pain in the burn center, these burns are incredibly serious and require immediate medical care to prevent complications or even death. Treatment for third-degree burns typically involves skin grafting and could also include the removal or debridement of dead skin and tissue. Common causes of such burns include exposure to electricity, harsh chemicals and flames.
Fourth-Degree Burns: Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and extend beyond the skin, damaging muscles, tendons, and bones. This is a brutal and extremely painful injury.
The burn area will be black in appearance, as the skin will be charred, and bone may be exposed. The extent of tissue destruction is profound, and emergency medical attention is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. Fourth-degree burns extend beyond the skin and tissue and include damage to the muscle, fat, and sometimes the bone.
After a burn injury, seek medical treatment as soon as you can. Doing so helps to prevent infections and improve your prognosis. Then, once your treatment is underway, always learn about your legal rights and options.
What Are The Causes Of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries can occur due to various causes and circumstances. Understanding these common causes is essential to implementing preventive measures and promoting safety awareness.
In cases where burn injuries occur due to negligence, it may be necessary to seek legal advice from our Beachwood, Ohio, burn injury attorney, who can help you navigate the legal process to protect the rights of burn injury victims. Here are some of the most common causes of burn injuries:
Fire And Flames: Fires, whether from residential or industrial settings, are a leading cause of burn injuries. These can result from household accidents, electrical malfunctions, gas leaks, arson or workplace incidents. Contact with flames can cause severe burns, often accompanied by smoke inhalation injuries.
Scalding Liquids: Contact with hot liquids, such as boiling water, hot beverages, or cooking oil, can lead to scald burns. These injuries are particularly common among children, as they may accidentally spill hot liquids or pull on containers containing them. Scald burns can cause significant damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
Chemical Exposure: Burns caused by exposure to corrosive chemicals, including acids, alkalis, solvents, or strong cleaning agents, are referred to as chemical burns. These injuries can occur through direct contact with the skin, inhalation of fumes, or ingestion of hazardous substances. Chemical burns often require immediate medical attention due to the potential for severe tissue damage.
Hot Surfaces: Direct contact with hot surfaces, such as stovetops, irons, heaters, or piping, can result in thermal burns. Accidental contact with these surfaces, particularly by children or in workplaces without adequate safety measures, can lead to serious burn injuries.
Electrical Accidents: Electrical burns can result from contact with electrical currents, either from low-voltage sources like household appliances or high-voltage sources like power lines. Electrical accidents can occur due to faulty wiring, unsafe electrical practices, or workplace incidents.
Flammable Substances And Explosions: Chemical burn injuries can happen while working with strong solvents and acids. Accidents involving flammable substances like gasoline, propane, or volatile chemicals can lead to explosions and subsequent burn injuries. These incidents can occur in homes, workplaces, or industrial settings, often due to mishandling or improper storage of hazardous materials.
Sun And Radiation Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburns, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or those exposed without adequate protection. Radiation therapy for medical purposes, as well as exposure to sources such as X-rays or nuclear radiation, can also cause radiation burns.
Friction And Contact Injuries: Friction burns are a combination of a heat burn and an abrasion. These injuries can result from forceful rubbing or scraping of the skin against rough surfaces, such as during accidents involving road rash or industrial incidents. Rough concrete or asphalt can shred through layers of skin and cause significant pain. Contact with hot objects, heated machinery, or friction-generated heat can also cause burns.
What Compensation Can I Get For Burn Injuries?
If you are suffering from burns, you have a lot to manage. Your excruciating pain and your recovery may require all your attention and efforts. Burns can be costly in terms of medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Receiving compensation for your injuries may be necessary for your future financial well-being.
The extent of your burn injury, along with contributing factors and other considerations, could determine your eligibility to receive compensation for both your financial losses and nonfinancial damages. If your burn injury was caused by a car accident or due to someone else’s actions or lack of care, you might consider pursuing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit to seek financial restitution. Our burn injury attorney can guide you through this process.
While a lawsuit may not make the healing process go any faster, pursuing a claim can help you recover compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial expenses (in the event of a wrongful death)
Talk to our lawyers about what kinds of compensation may be available in your case.
Why Do I Need A Burn Injury Attorney In Ohio?
Burn injuries come in various forms and range from mild to severe. They can happen anywhere – at home, in the workplace, on the road or while traveling. Burn injuries often involve intense pain, and the healing process can extend from months to years. More severe burns can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. In most cases, particularly when the victim suffered a significant or life-changing injury, having a Beachwood, Ohio, burn injury attorney can be beneficial.
At Karp Steiger, we are committed to helping you in the following ways:
- Gathering evidence, completing paperwork, and researching the applicable laws while you focus on your recovery
- Understanding the process of investigating the cause and origin of fires and explosions
- Calculating your current and future expected damages, ensuring you know the full value of your case, and giving you leverage in negotiations
- Handling all the legal aspects and observing any crucial deadlines for filing documents
- Protecting you from any attempts by the other side to accuse you of having a fault in the accident
- Determining who is responsible for your accident, determining your claim’s value and filing your claim on time
If you suffered a burn injury and another is responsible, you deserve to recover the full value of your claim. Our personal injury law firm will fight hard for what you need to rebuild your life after suffering a devastating burn injury. Contact us now to schedule a risk-free consultation and let us help you recover what you deserve to get your life back on track.
Let Our Ohio Burn Injury Attorneys Help
After experiencing a burn injury, it is common to feel overwhelmed, scared, and uncertain about the future. That’s where we can help. Instead of worrying about legal paperwork and deadlines, you can prioritize your health and well-being.
At Karp Steiger, our team of Ohio personal injury attorneys has handled hundreds of complex burn cases. We understand the painful process of treating burns, and we know how to navigate the laws associated with burn cases. Our personal injury law firm is committed to helping burn victims identify the liable parties and recover compensation for physical, psychological and financial damages.
Our attorneys are committed to pursuing the fullest compensation you are entitled to for your injuries, whether through a personal injury lawsuit, insurance claim or both. We provide compassionate yet aggressive representation to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Please call our office today at 216-696-3515 for a risk-free consultation if you or a loved one were hurt as a result of a burn injury. We can also help you handle nursing home abuse, sex abuse, and workers’ compensation cases.