The number of burn victims in the U.S. is staggering. According to the American Burn Association, nearly half a million people seek medical treatment for burns yearly. Of those, about 40,000 had to be hospitalized, with 75 percent of them receiving care in a hospital burn center. Sadly, nearly 3,500 burn victims die as a result of their injuries.
Severe burn injuries happen in numerous ways. Electrical fires, construction accidents, car wrecks, chemical spills, thermal fires, fires caused by defective products, and explosions are just some of the causes of serious, even life-threatening, burns. No matter the reason, burn injuries can lead to significant long-term medical complications and lifelong suffering. When those injuries are caused by the negligence of another person or company, you may be able to seek compensation for damages.
Burns are classified based on their severity. You may have heard that third-degree burns are the most severe burn injury. But that isn’t the case. The most serious burns are fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-degree burns.
The following details how burn injuries are classified:
Severe burns must be treated immediately and properly to lower the risk of further complications. Unfortunately, complications are common with burns that are third-degree and worse. Some of the risks for these types of burns include:
You may have a personal injury lawsuit if you or your loved one has suffered severe burn injuries because of someone else’s actions (or inaction). If a defective product caused the injuries, it might be a product liability case. Determining whether you have a case is best done by a personal injury attorney who has experience with these types of claims. Also, the injury may worsen if a medical professional doesn’t treat burns appropriately. In those cases, you might be able to receive compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
At Ross Feller Casey, we have an extensive track record of winning cases for the catastrophically injured, including those with burn injuries.
The complications that arise from burn injuries can devastate the victims and their families, and the medical expenses often are astronomical. If your family has been affected by burn injuries, you deserve to be compensated for your expenses and pain and suffering. Monetary compensation cannot reverse the wrong that has been done to you, but it can ease the burden of your expenses and help your family recover financially.
To increase the likelihood of getting the compensation you deserve for your burn injuries, reach out to the attorneys at Ross Feller Casey for a free consultation. All of our cases are handled on a contingency basis, so you will not pay a thing until a financial recovery is made in your case.
Disclaimer: Ross Feller Casey, LLP provides legal advice only after an attorney-client relationship is formed. Our website is an introduction to the firm and does not create a relationship between our attorneys and clients. An attorney-client relationship is formed only after a written agreement is signed by the client and the firm. Because every case is unique, the description of awards and summary of cases successfully handled are not intended to imply or guarantee that same success in other cases. Ross Feller Casey, LLP represents catastrophically injured persons and their families in injury and wrongful death cases, providing legal representation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.