Causes and Impacts of Burn Injuries
Burns are among the most painful and disfiguring injuries a person can suffer. They are also difficult and expensive to treat. A victim of a serious burn injury should unfortunately anticipate a long and tough road to recovery. Fortunately, however, with current medical advances, there is more hope than there used to be. New methods of treating burn injuries, as well as the pain, scars, and disability that can accompany them, are being developed every day.
Almost half a million people sought medical treatment for burns in 2016. Burn injuries can range in severity from minor (first degree) to serious (third degree). Burns are caused by a variety of reasons, some of them tragic accidents and others the result of negligent or irresponsible behavior. When negligent behavior leads to a burn injury, the person or entity that engaged in that behavior should be held responsible.
Causes of burn injuries
According to the American Burn Association, exposure to fire or scald injuries from hot water or steam account for more than 75 percent of burn injuries. And, almost three quarters of burn injuries occur in the home and can be caused by faulty wiring, or defective products such as heaters or other appliances. Burn injuries from chemical exposure and electrocution are less common, but these types can also be particularly severe.
Outside of the home, burn injuries also happen often on the job, where things like hazardous electrical lines or improperly labeled chemicals can expose workers to unnecessary risks. California workers do receive some protection under workers’ compensation law, but sometimes these benefits available from your employer aren’t sufficient enough to cover your medical expenses in cases of very severe burn injuries.
There are cases, however, where individuals who suffer things like chemical burns or electrical burn injuries on the job may be able to sue a third party other than their employer for negligence. Perhaps a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner was responsible for the accident. In these cases, you may able to bring a personal injury lawsuit. You would want to speak to an attorney about your options.
Physical and mental impact of burn injuries
Even minor to moderate burns can cause painful blisters and long-term to permanent scarring. They can also leave the patient at risk for infection during the healing process. Severe burns can cause permanent nerve damage, including loss of sensation or dexterity, necessitate extensive skin grafts, and in extreme cases, require amputation. Burns to the extremities can leave a victim permanently disabled. Burns to the face, neck, legs, or arms can lead to a lifetime of scarring and disfigurement.
If you have suffered a severe burn injury in Los Angeles due to someone else’s carelessness, the personal injury attorneys at Taylor & Ring will work to help you recover the compensation you need for medical treatment, lost wages, and improved quality of life. Contact our legal team today at 310.776.6390 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation.
David Ring is a nationally renowned plaintiff’s personal injury trial attorney and has obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of seriously-injured individuals or families who have lost a loved one in a tragic accident. For more than 20 years, he has represented victims of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, assault, molestation and sexual misconduct in cases against a variety of employers and entities, including schools, churches and youth organizations.
He prides himself on providing aggressive, yet compassionate representation for children who have been sexually abused and women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted. Read more about David M. Ring.