Richmond VA Burn Injury Lawyer

Medical professionals uniformly agree that burn injuries are the single most difficult to treat and can be the most painful and traumatic. This is because a burn injury can affect numerous parts of the body.

According to the American Burn Association, there are approximately 500,000 burn injuries annually in the United States. No one ever expects to get serious burn injuries in a fire. If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire, you may face a long and challenging road to recovery. You may also wonder how you will pay for your medical expenses and other losses.

If someone else’s negligence caused the burn injury, you might have grounds for a personal injury case. For example, in a routine auto accident, you know you have claims for injuries – as well, in that accident, if you were burned, perhaps as a result of the vehicle exploding, you probably have enhanced claims against that driver for damages.
Burn injuries can be caused by fire, scalding water, chemicals, electricity, and defective products.

Fires – House & Apartments

A defective appliance, cigarette, or even a candle can start a fire that quickly spreads and causes severe burns.

A defective smoke detector can also cause a fire to spread and result in burn injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a house or apartment fire, you may be able to sue the landlord or property owner for negligence.

• Was the smoke alarm working?
• Was there a smoke alarm?

Scalding Liquids – Water, Coffee, Tea

Young children, those who are physically disabled and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to water scald injuries. Children may not understand about setting temperature, and young children may not know what to do if they are subjected to hot water or other liquids. Their skin is much thinner than the skin of adults. Similarly, disabled individuals and the elderly may not be able to move if subjected to scalding liquids.

Many people are burned by beverages that are served at temperatures that are excessively high for consumption. These injuries often occur at fast food restaurant drive-thru’s.

• Chemicals
• Creams, jels and other products can cause severe burn injuries. Applied to the face or body, these products can have adverse effects and cause serious burns. “Patch tests” are highly recommended and products should not be used if they are too old.
• Electricity
• Electric cords, plugs and other devices that conduct electricity can be a source of horrible burn injuries. Do not run an extension cord under a rug. Do not overload a wall outlet.
• Car Accidents
• Burn injuries are also common in car accidents. A car that catches fire after a collision can cause severe burns to the occupants.
  Defective Products
• A fire from a defective product or appliance, such as a toaster oven, a microwave, a blow-dryer, a cigarette lighter, an oven, a range, a laptop, a heating blanket, and a host of other products that consumers use can cause very serious injuries. Moreover, defective equipment at a tanning salon can cause horrible injuries.
• “Product” cases can be successful even if the product was otherwise in good condition – if the warnings were not there or not appropriate.
• For product cases, the designer, manufacturer or seller of a defective product can be held responsible for any injuries caused by the product.
• Collisions can cause multiple injuries. An explosion, including airbag explosions, can add to and make those injuries worse.

What To Do If You’ve Suffered A Burn Injury

You may be entitled to compensation if you or your loved ones have sustained burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence. Here are the steps you should take to protect your legal rights:

1. Seek Medical Attention
Before anything else, it’s essential to seek medical attention if you’ve been burned. Even if the burns seem minor, they could become infected or lead to other complications. It’s best to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Gather Evidence
You will need evidence to support your claim. Be sure to take pictures of the burns and keep all medical records and bills related to the injury. You should also save any other documentation, such as a fire investigator’s reports and any police report that may be written.
It would also be helpful to get witness statements from people who saw the accident or the burn injury. These witnesses can provide valuable testimony to support your claim.

3. Consult With An Experienced Burn Injury Attorney

Navigating the legal system can be complicated, and it’s essential to have an experienced attorney on your side. An experienced burn injury lawyer will be able to help you gather evidence, file a lawsuit, and negotiate the right financial resolution of your situation.

What are the different types of burns?

There are four types of burns: first-degree, second-degree, and third- and fourth-degree

1. First-degree burns

The epidermis, or outer layer of skin, is the only thing affected in first-degree burns. The burn site is inflamed, painful, dry, and without blisters. Sunburn is an example of a mild form of sunburn. Tissue damage that persists over time is uncommon and usually leads to increased or decreased skin tone.

2. Second-degree burns

Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and a portion of the dermis. The burned area looks red, and blistered, and might be swollen or painful.

3. Third-degree burns

Third-degree burns go through the epidermis and dermis, sometimes fatally damaging the tissues under them. These underlying tissues include bones, muscles, and tendons. If any of these are burned, it’s called a fourth-degree burn. The area around the burn looks white or charred since all nerve endings have been destroyed in that vicinity, causing numbness.

4. Fourth degree burns

The fourth degree burns are the most severe and deepest kind of burn, affecting all layers of skin, muscles, tendons, and bones.
What Compensation Is Available for a Catastrophic Burn Injury Claim?

If you or a family member have suffered burn injuries due to another party’s negligence, you may wonder what kind of compensation is available to you.
Catastrophic burn injuries can devastate every aspect of a survivor’s life, and the medical costs associated with these injuries can be astronomical. In addition to the physical pain and suffering that burn injury survivors endure, they also often suffer psychological trauma and may require years of expensive rehabilitative care.

If you have suffered severe burn injuries, you may be entitled to compensatory damages for your economic and noneconomic losses. Compensation for your economic losses may include financial damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. You may also be awarded compensation for your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, disruption of your life, embarrassment, stress, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.

If you are a survivor of a burn injury it is vital to contact a highly experienced burn injury attorney who can evaluate your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

What are the Long Term Effects of Third or Fourth Degree Burns?

These are the most serious of burn injuries, often requiring surgery and skin-grafting. Fourth-degree burns damage all layers of skin and can even damage bone, muscle, and tendons.

Fourth-degree burns often require skin grafts when healthy skin from another body part is transplanted into the burn area. In addition, skin grafts can help prevent infection and speed up the healing process, but they also risk complications.

The long-term effects of third or fourth-degree burns will depend on the severity of the burn and how quickly it was treated. For example, some people may experience permanent scarring, nerve damage, or problems with movement. In some cases, people may also need to have surgery to release tight muscles or repair damaged joints.

What Kind of Liability Exists In Burn Injury Cases?

There are many different types of burn injuries, and each one can present unique legal challenges when seeking compensation from those who caused the injuries. One of the first inquiries is determining who, or what company or organization is responsible. Only by consulting with an experienced burn injury lawyer can an effective determination of the type and kind of liability exists in your case.

The severity of a burn injury will often dictate the amount of compensation that is appropriate in a case. For example, suppose a company is responsible for a defective product that caused a person to suffer a first-degree burn. In that case, that company may only be liable for the cost of medical treatment. But suppose that same defective product had caused a person to suffer severe burns. In that case, the company could be liable for much more, including pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical expenses.

If you or someone you love has been burned due to someone else’s negligence, consulting with an experienced burn injury lawyer as soon as possible is essential to discuss your legal options.

Benefits Of Filing A Burn Injury Lawsuit

No one ever expects to be burned in an accident. But when it does happen, the burns can be excruciating and may require extensive medical treatment. If you or a loved one has been burned in an accident, you may wonder if you have legal recourse.

Filing a burn injury claim or lawsuit may not be your priority after such a traumatic event, but knowing that you have options is essential. An experienced burn injury attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries.

There are many benefits to making a claim or filing a burn injury lawsuit, including the following:

1. Compensation for your medical bills

The responsible party should cover all of the medical costs associated with your burn injuries. This includes hospitalization, surgery, skin grafts, physical therapy, and other necessary treatments.

2. Lost wages

If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to recover compensation for the wages you have lost. You may also be able to recover future lost earnings if your injuries are expected to have a long-term impact on your ability to work.

3. Pain and suffering

The physical pain and emotional trauma caused by burn injuries can be significant. You may be entitled to compensation for these intangible damages. These also include disruption of your life, embarrassment, stress, and much, much more.

4. Punitive damages

In some cases, the court may award punitive damages to punish the responsible party for their negligence. Punitive damages are not available in every case, but an experienced attorney will know whether they are applicable in your situation.

Contacting a qualified personal injury attorney is the best way to ensure your rights are protected after suffering burn injuries in an accident. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your case and learn more about what you can expect from the legal process

How Can a Virginia Burn Injury Attorney Help?

When you or your loved ones suffer burn injuries, you need an experienced Virginiaburn injury attorney who will fight for your rights.

Burn injury lawyers know how to navigate the often difficult issues in cases like these; they will investigate the cause of your accident and hold the responsible parties accountable. They will also negotiate with insurance companies to get the total amount of compensation they deserve.

Contact national and Virginia burn injury attorney Paul Samakow today to discuss your case if you have been seriously injured.

It is essential to understand your legal rights if you or a loved one has sustained burn injuries. Paul Samakow is a highly experienced burn injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients.

Having an attorney can reduce stress significantly.

Call Paul Samakow today and let him deal with the financial concerns, the insurance companies and all of the stress. Call for a free advisory meeting, and let him help inform you, educate you, and share with you the path and the plan toward your recovery.