Burn injuries can happen anywhere in Beverly Hills, from apartments and homes to restaurants, boutiques, and construction sites. The intensity of these burns are not always immediately apparent. Heat, fire, electrical hazards, and chemical exposures can all result in serious harm that may require extensive treatment, and can develop into complicated personal injury matters. In a city known for its high property standards and dense combination of residential and commercial spaces, even a minimal oversight, like faulty wiring, defective appliances, or unsafe conditions, can put someone at risk.
When a burn happens as a result of another party’s failure to act responsibly, the affected individual may be entitled to pursue a legal claim for losses incurred. These circumstances demand support from an experienced team that knows how to properly handle burn injuries and liability disputes.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Beverly Hills burn injury lawyers have been in the legal field for more than 20 years. We have successfully recovered over $1.7 billion in settlements on behalf of our clients and have maintained a strong track record of satisfaction. You can trust us to manage your case and stand by your side during every challenge that may arise.
If you would like to go over your legal options we are available to help. To book a FREE consultation, you can connect with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick online contact form.
How Common Are Skin Burns?
Skin burns are very common in the United States. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claimed that in 2021, there were about 398,000 fire or burn-related cases and another 252,000 injuries caused by hot objects or substances. Approximately 698,555 burn injuries required medical care within that year.
Additional research estimates that roughly 600,000 people seek emergency care annually for burn injuries. Hospital admissions represent only the most serious cases, with the American Burn Association (ABA) reporting about 29,165 burn-related inpatient admissions each year. Since most burns are treated in outpatient clinics or emergency departments (ED) with admission, the actual number is much higher than hospital data alone.
Combined, these details demonstrate how common skin burns are, and that they are medically significant injuries that are affecting hundreds of thousands of people every year nationwide.
What Are the Most Frequent Causes of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries result from various high-risk situations, and the most frequent causes will fall into several types of categories.
- Thermal burns are the most common and happen when the skin touches heat sources, like flames, boiling liquids, or hot metal. These arise from cooking, making contact with household appliances, or home heating-related accidents
- Chemical burns result from contact with strong acids or alkalis from cleaning agents or industrial materials.
- Electrical burns happen when an electrical current travels through the body because of faulty wiring, exposed electrical sources, or malfunctioning equipment. These burns can trigger deeper internal damage than what is visible on the surface.
- Friction burns will occur when the skin rubs forcefully against a rough surface, creating enough heat to cause an abrasion and thermal damage simultaneously. These are especially common with motorcycle and bicycle accidents, and are referred to as “road rash.”
- Radiation burns result from intense exposure to radiation energy. Although it is less common, it can be medically serious. The most noted form is a sunburn (UV radiation). But, it could also happen from cancer treatment (radiation therapy), industrial exposure, or from a strong UV lamp.
How Do You Tell if a Burn is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Degree?
Identifying burn severity will depend on how many layers of the skin are damaged and the visible symptoms that may appear shortly after. A first-degree burn affects only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and may cause redness, mild swelling, and pain similar to a burn. The skin will still remain intact without blisters.
A second-degree burn will go deeper into the dermis and can be met with strong pain, redness, or blistering. These burns are deemed superficial or deep, with some appearing pale or mottled.
A third-degree burn will destroy all layers of the skin, causing the tissue to have a white, black, leathery, charred, or waxy appearance. The center may also seem painless because of nerve damage. Such bodily harm may require immediate medical attention and surgical procedures, like skin grafting.
How Is Burn Severity Assessed?
Burn severity is assessed by evaluating:
- The extent of skin damage
- The parts of the body affected
- Whether critical areas or complications are involved
Determining the intensity of a burn will start with its depth, which will classify the injury as first-degree (superficial), second-degree (partial-thickness), or third-degree (full-thickness), based on how many layers of skin are affected.
Doctors will assess the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by applying the Rules of Nines, which divides the body into sections to estimate the percentage of burn involvement. Higher TBSA burns are the most dangerous since they can disrupt fluid balance, increase the risk of infection, and make recovery more complicated.
Another notable factor is location. Burns that damage the face, hands, feet, groin, or any major joints will be more severe since they impact essential functions and can trigger long-term disability. Inhalation injuries, like breathing in smoke or gases, could also increase severity due to the risk of airway damage.
Lastly, burn severity may rise when a patient is either very young, elderly, has an underlying health condition, or when complications, such as infections or nerve damage, are present.
Each of these elements will help determine whether a burn injury is minor, moderate, or severe. Such information can allow affected individuals to get the right medical treatment and can help shape the legal analysis when pursuing a burn injury case.
What Is the Mortality Rate for Burn Patients?
According to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS), roughly 29,165 burn-related inpatient admissions happen each year in the United States, which is equivalent to 88.5 admissions per million people annually. Within these cases, there were 795 inpatient deaths, representing an overall mortality rate of 2.7%.
Over half of hospitalized patients suffered minor burns that did not require surgery, totaling to 52.4% of cases with a low 0.36% mortality rate. However, patients with serious injuries were met with higher risks. Deep burns requiring surgery without prolonged ventilation contributed to 32% of admissions with a 2.6% mortality rate, while the most catastrophic injuries (involving extensive burns requiring surgical procedures and prolonged ventilation) represented 4.4% of all admission and had the highest mortality at 17.8%.
Burn centers are not labeled in the NIS. But, 94 hospitals admitted at least 100 burn encounters per year, accounting for 81% of all burn hospitalizations. Admissions also had a seasonal pattern, in which cases peaked between May and August.
Can I Sue for Burn Injury?
You can sue for a burn injury if someone else’s negligence, unsafe conditions, or even wrongful conduct resulted in harm. Burn cases commonly occur from house or apartment fires, scalding incidents, chemical exposure, or from a malfunctioning appliance. To file a personal injury claim, you will need to prove that another individual or entity failed to act with reasonable care and that this ultimately caused you to sustain a burn injury.
In most cases, burn injury victims are entitled to seek compensation for losses incurred, such as medical expenses, surgical procedures, lost wages, and emotional distress. California’s pure comparative negligence system may also apply. This allows an injured person to recover damages even if they are partly liable for the situation. Total pay will be reduced based on percentage of fault.
For instance, if a victim suffered burns in an apartment fire and they were found partially responsible for it, they can still secure compensation from other responsible parties. This ensures that liability is distributed fairly and that burn victims are not completely restricted from recovery just for having some degree of fault in the matter.
What Is the Cause of Death in Burn Injuries?
The leading medical causes are usually due to infection, inhalation, organ failure, and complications stemming from severe burns. When a person suffers such bodily harm, large areas of damaged skin will no longer have the ability to protect the body, thus making it quicker for infections to appear, such as sepsis (one of the most common fatal outcomes). Inhalation of smoke or toxic gases can lead to life-threatening respiratory conditions, while extensive burns may trigger shock or even multi-organ failure.
In legal cases, determining the cause of death will involve an examination on how the burn occurred. Severe burns from car accidents, house fires, or defective products can create fatal complications that strengthen the connection between the incident and the resulting loss. When death occurs as a result of someone else’s negligence, the surviving family members may pursue legal action by filing a wrongful death claim.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure ยง 377.60, eligible parties may include:
- Surviving spouse
- Domestic partner
- Children
- Issued of deceased children
- Anyone who would be entitled to inherit under intestate succession law
Common recoverable damages in such a case will involve loss of financial support, medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and emotional distress.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After an Injury?
The amount of time you are given to file a lawsuit after an injury will be governed by California’s personal injury law, which sets a two-year statute of limitations for most cases. If the incident involves a government entity, you will need to have an administrative claim submitted within six months, and then comply with strict deadlines for litigation afterward.
Missing the filing window can affect your chances at securing compensation for the losses you endured as a result of the burn injury. This is why it is important to speak with a Beverly Hills burn injury attorney as soon as possible. They can confirm which deadline will apply with your personal injury case, evaluate exceptions, and ensure all filings have been completed in a timely manner.
Who Handles Burn Injury Claims Best?
A personal injury lawyer who has experience helping clients that have suffered from serious burn injuries are the go-to for such claims. They will know how to investigate the cause of the incident, document long-term impacts, negotiate with the insurance company, and protect your legal rights from start to finish.
These lawyers will evaluate the circumstances involved in your case to determine whether you should file a burn injury lawsuit for negligence, unsafe property conditions, or for product liability. Most law firms work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you are not required to pay anything unless they win. A Beverly Hills personal injury lawyer can provide effective services for this type of case due to their familiarity with local laws, courts, and legal procedures, which are important to achieve the best possible outcome.
How Much Is My Burn Injury Claim Worth?
The value of a burn injury claim depends on the financial losses you sustained, the medical care you received, and the severity of your injuries. These cases are usually more challenging than standard claims because they can involve hospitalization, ongoing treatment, and persistent physical pain. All of these factors can significantly affect the compensation available in a personal injury lawsuit.
Typically, economic and non-economic damages will be awarded. Economic damages covers measurable financial losses you incurred, such as medical bills, lost income, and rehabilitation. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, will address subjective, non-monetary losses, including emotional pain, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.
To know whether you have a valid claim, you can have it presented to a Beverly Hills burn injury lawyer. They will review your situation and determine whether you should move forward with the legal process. If so, you will receive professional guidance, ensuring no mistakes are made that could tamper with the actual value of your settlement.
To learn what you could be entitled to, you can use our personal injury settlement calculator by entering the losses you endured as a result of the burn injury.
Suffered a Burn Injury? Reach Out to West Coast Trial Lawyers Todayโ
If you suffered a burn injury and believe there was negligence involved, West Coast Trial Lawyers is readily available to help. We represent injured clients with the attention and care they deserve. With help from our experienced personal injury attorneys, we can guide you through your options and ensure you have the best path forward to take legal action.
To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.
Beverly Hills Burn Injury FAQ
Are Cold Burns Worse Than Hot Burns?
Cold burns, also known as frostbite injuries, can be just as serious as heat burns. In some cases, they could be even worse depending on depth, exposure time, and whether tissue freezing was noted. A cold burn has the ability to damage the skin and underlying tissue by creating ice crystals in the cells, cutting off blood circulation, and can result in potential tissue death.
Although mild cold burns can appear similar to superficial heat burns, severe frostbite can cause numbness, blistering, and permanent nerve or tissue loss. Since hot and cold injuries can involve deep tissue damage, severe burns, and/or long-term complications, you should seek medical attention as soon as you can. If not, symptoms may continue to worsen over time.
Which Type of Burn Injury Requires Skin Grafting?
Full-thickness burns, also referred to as third-degree burns, are the type of injury that may commonly require skin grafting. This is typically needed when a burn destroys the thickness of the skin. In such cases, both the epidermis and the dermis are permanently damaged, leaving the body unable to recover on its own because the skin no longer has the capability to regenerate. These burns may appear leathery, white, waxy, or charred. They can also be painless because of nerve destruction.
Deep partial-thickness burns may also require skin grafting if the tissue does not heal within a reasonable timeframe or if infection or depth prevents recovery. All in all, third-degree burns are the main category where skin grafts will become medically necessary to restore function, prevent infection, and lessen scarring.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Burn Injury?
Liability will depend on the circumstances presented, with potential defendants including landlords, product manufacturers, employers, property owners, or negligent drivers. Every situation is different. The best strategy will ultimately vary based on the unique factors presented with each victim’s case.
โHow Do You Treat a Burn Injury?
Treating a burn injury will depend on the severity of skin damage and how much tissue has been affected. Many cases start with a basic first-aid approach. This involves gently cooling the area with water, cleaning the skin, and applying sterile dressings. These can help maintain minor burns, but with severe injuries, the damage could never be taken care of at home.
Affected individuals who sustained intense bodily harm will need to seek care at nearby medical facilities, like Cedars-Sinai or UCLA Medical Center. Moderate to severe burns will require extensive medical treatment. Some patients may need skin grafts or surgical procedures if the burn is affecting visible parts of the body, like the face, hands, or arms.
Burns that consist of blisters, significant pain, redness, or difficulty using the affected area should be examined immediately by a medical professional. Access to quality care will help reduce complications and scarring while also improving long-term recovery outcomes.
