Call Us Today Burns happen in many ways and in many settings. Depending on where, why, and how your injury occurred, your case may require different types of legal expertise to successfully litigate.
A burn injury lawyer must have knowledge of premises liability, defective product law, construction law, and workers’ comp law. They should also have a solid grasp of burn types, associated injuries, and treatment methods.
Severe burn claims usually mean that large sums of money are at stake, and the defendants will work hard to fight your claim. Don’t risk your claim by dealing with the insurance company alone.
The Cape Coral burn injury attorneys of Viles & Beckman understand burn injuries. We’ve represented countless burn victims and recovered substantial compensation on their behalf. If you need legal counsel after a burn accident, we may be able to help you.
Classification of Burns
Pain doesn’t indicate the severity of a burn. The most severe burn injuries can be painless because the nerves and pain receptors have been damaged or completely burned away.
The severity of a burn is measured by determining how many layers of skin have been compromised. Burn stages can be classified into four different categories:
First-Degree Burn
First-degree burns affect the outermost layer of your skin, the epidermis. These burns are not usually associated with long-term damage, even though they can be quite painful and turn your skin red temporarily. Bad sunburns or burns from brief contact with certain hot items are usually first-degree.
Second-Degree Burn
The epidermis and the dermis are both damaged when you experience a second-degree burn. Blistering is common, the outer layer of skin is bright red, and it may look shiny and swollen. The burned areas will be painful if touched and can be extremely uncomfortable.
Touching your skin with a hot iron or being splashed with hot grease while cooking can generally cause a second-degree burn and blistering. These burns can be superficial or deep. They may or may not result in scarring or permanent color changes to the skin.
Third-Degree Burn
This severe burn damages the complete dermis, epidermis, and subcutaneous tissue. It may or may not hurt because of the damage done to your nerves.
The skin may appear white, yellow, brown, or black and can appear leathery. It is often called a full thickness burn and will nearly always require surgery.
Fourth-Degree Burn
This is the most severe classification of burns and is often life-threatening. This type of burn affects all skin layers, muscles, and tendons, and may expose the bone. These extreme burns often require years of rehabilitation and may involve amputation.
Permanent scarring and disfigurement are nearly always associated with this type of injury.
Our attorneys may work with construction experts, chemical engineers, forensic experts, product safety specialists, or fire forensics specialists to make a complete evaluation of what exactly happened.
Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the sources of liability and develop a legal strategy based on the evidence to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
Damages in a Burn Injury Claim
Negligence, carelessness, reckless behavior, lack of fire escapes, malfunctioning sprinkler systems, industrial accidents, and many other circumstances cause burn injuries that should have been prevented.
When negligent behavior, violations of safety regulations, or defective products are involved in your burn injuries, a burn injury attorney in Cape Coral can help you to fight for the financial compensation you need.
Our attorneys have negotiated settlements or won court awards on behalf of our clients for these damages in many burn injury cases:
- Medical expenses: The expenses to treat burn patients can be staggering. Hospitalization, repeat visits, surgeries, skin grafts, medications, follow-up visits, and emergency care are all covered.
- Future costs of treatment: Long-term care may be necessary. Physical therapy costs, mobility aids, reconstructive surgeries, and all associated costs will be considered.
- Lost wages: Income you lost while being treated and recovering from your injuries will be added to your damages. The costs of vocational rehabilitation or loss of future earnings will be considered if you become disabled.
- Emotional and psychological damages: The victims of severe burns can face a lifetime of stigma and face PTSD, anxiety, depression and suffer emotionally from the strain of enduring burn injuries and the subsequent treatment and life changes. These damages will be addressed.
- Pain and suffering: Pain from your injuries, the length of the treatment, the severity of the injuries, and the suffering you have been through are all factors in determining the damages for pain and suffering. They are generally the largest part of a settlement package.
- Loss of consortium: The spouse can be awarded damages for the strain put on the relationship that was a result of the burn injuries. A burn injury attorney can help you to understand how these damages may be applicable.
- Punitive damages: These damages are designed to punish parties who are found to be grossly negligent. Many large companies have been forced to pay millions in punitive damages when their actions displayed no regard for the harm they should have known they would cause.
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Contact a Cape Coral Burn Injury Law Firm Today
Many burn injury victims and their families feel alone in their struggle. They often feel desperate to find a way to pay the bills and stay afloat when a primary source of income has been lost. You do not have to walk this path alone.
The Cape Coral burnin injury lawyers of Viles & Beckman will be by your side through every step of the process. We can be your advocate in negotiations or if necessary, a legal battle, to collect the compensation you need and deserve.
Our services are offered on a contingency fee basis, so no payment is due unless we win your case or recover a settlement. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you by scheduling an appointment for a free consultation.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
