Fresno Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn injuries are an unfortunate and painful injury that damages the skin and the nerves underneath. Oftentimes, medical treatment may be needed to heal a burn injury, but extensive procedures are quite costly and could put a patient in financial burden. Furthermore, the aftermath of recovering from a burn injury could mentally impact the patient as they are likely to endure pain and psychological scarring. 

Whether you are at work or at home, burn injuries may occur unintentionally, however, there have been cases where a burn injury has occurred due to malicious intentions. If your burn injury was caused by a negligent party, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against them.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Fresno burn injury attorneys are available 24/7 to offer legal assistance. With our track record of recovering more than $1.7 billion in settlements for our clients, we are confident that we will deliver the maximum compensation to your case. With our seasoned team of Fresno personal injury lawyers by your side, you can focus on recovery while our team fights for you.

To schedule a free consultation at our law firm, contact us by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Types of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are typically categorized based on the severity of the burn, however, they can be further categorized by sources. For example, thermal, chemical, and electrical burns are some of the most common types of burn injuries due to the range of sources. It is important to familiarize oneself with the different types of burn injuries as if it is not treated correctly then you risk getting infected.

Thermal Burns

A thermal burn is when the skin is damaged by a source of excessive heat and damages the various layers of the skin. Thermal burns are the most common type of burn due to their availability in a variety of sources such as hot metals, liquids, surfaces, steam, and even open flames. Whether you have suffered a burn from home or at work, if it is a serious injury it is highly recommended to see medical professionals to get it treated. However, if the cause of the burn was due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, a Fresno personal injury attorney can help with the personal injury claim process.

Chemical Burns

One of the most severe injuries a person could suffer from, a chemical burn is when the skin comes into contact with corrosive substances and damages it from the acidic properties. While chemical burns are typically found in industrial and manufacturing plants, they are also commonly found in drain cleaners, paint thinners, and even household disinfectants. As a result, chemical burns are a more common occurrence than people realize and should it occur, it can potentially cause more damage due to the fumes they can produce.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns are a type of injury caused by an electric current coming into direct contact with the skin and damaging the deeper parts of the tissue and nerves. It is considered to be one of the most unexpected burns found in personal injury cases, however, it can be just as dangerous as a thermal or chemical burn. In severe cases, an electrical burn can potentially disrupt functioning parts and pacing of vital organs such as the brain or heart, but it is important to note, it will be heavily dependent on the voltage and duration of contact.

Places You Could Get Burned

Due to the nature of burn injuries, there are a variety of places where people can unexpectedly suffer a burn. For example, restaurants, tanning salons and hair salons are some of the most common places where a burn injury can occur. Depending on the nature of the accident, the workers or even the company could face legal repercussions if the injured clients is able to provide enough evidence that negligence was involved.

In addition, if an employee is burned while on the job and needs medical attention, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If the employer does not grant them compensation benefits or adequate care for their serious injuries then personal injury victims can file a claim for their negligence and recklessness. With that in mind, whether you have suffered a burn as a customer at a place of business or as an employee, you are entitled to receive care especially if you have suffered catastrophic injuries.

Treating a Burn Injury

Burn injury treatments may vary depending on how severe the impact is to the skin. For minor injuries, it is usually suggested for victims to do the following:

• Apply a bandage or gauze over the wounded area- Do not apply any fluffy cotton. Make sure it is wrapped loosely around the injured area. This will protect you from infections.
• Take a pain reliever- Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol can be used to reduce pain. 
• Apply cool water onto the wound- Avoid placing ice over it as it can result in more tissue damage.
• Apply lotion or ointment onto the wound- Aloe vera has been commonly used to soothe a burn injury. It may also give you pain relief.

For those who are suffering from a moderate to severe burn injury, you should visit a doctor or the hospital. If you are able to handle the pain, you can set up an appointment to get your wound examined. However, if the pain is too unbearable, you should get yourself admitted to the ER. A doctor will be able to examine your wound and run tests to determine a diagnosis. Once results are available, the doctor will diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan to help with your recovery. Common suggestions that have been incorporated into these treatment plans include the following:

• Surgical Procedure- The doctor will likely suggest going through with a procedure called skin graft. This process involves removing a patch of skin from one area of the body and attaching it onto another area.  
• IV- You may be told to get an IV done to avoid organ failure or dehydration.
• Tetanus Shot- If you are suffering from a superficial partial-thickness or deeper burn, you may need to get a tetanus shot.
• Pain and Anxiety Medication- Based on the severity of the burn, you may likely be given morphine to deal with the intense pain. Anti-anxiety medications may also help you stay calm.
• Feeding Tube- A feeding tube will be inserted through your nose, which will make its way down to your stomach. This method is generally suggested to those who are suffering from severe burns from a catastrophic accident such as a severe car accident, house fire, or explosion and are in need of acquiring nutritional support.

Besides medical treatments, therapy may also be another method that will help you with your recovery, especially if your burn has taken over a large portion of your body. A physical therapist will likely have you perform exercises and activities that will stretch your skin, which, in turn, will help your joints maintain flexibility. Additional other exercises will enhance your muscle strength. 

Occupational therapy is also known for helping victims with their burn injuries. This type of therapy is designed for you to develop, recover, enhance, and control basic skills that are needed to perform day-to-day activities. However, it is important to note these medical expenses may or may not be covered depending on your policy from the insurance companies, but an experienced personal injury attorney can help minimize any out-of-pocket costs so you can focus on recovery.

The Importance of a Fresno Burn Injury Lawyer

Hiring a Fresno personal injury attorney can bring a variety of benefits to a personal injury claim that can help get a just and fair compensation for their injuries. For instance, a Fresno personal injury lawyer can get the legal process started by drafting and filing motions, collect and gather evidence, offer sound legal advice, and represent your best interests in court.

While burn injury victims can file personal injury lawsuits on their own, it is generally not recommended because they would become more susceptible to negotiation tactics from insurance companies and opposing counsel, would likely miss to file important paperwork/evidence, and may not be able to make objective decisions that are in line with the law. Which is why burn injury victims should find legal representation for their case.

Burn Injury Settlements

When it comes to determining the average settlement amount for a burn injury case, there are many factors at play that can and will be taken into consideration. In order to determine a total amount of a burn injury settlement, the following information needs to be collected: the way the burn occurred, where it is located, the severity of the burn, and its impact on the victim.

While every burn injury is different, an experienced personal injury lawyer will not only be able to determine liability, but can give an accurate estimation of how much an accident victim can recover. However, burn injury victims can also input their information in a personal injury settlement calculator to get an idea of how much they are owed.

Available Damages in a Burn Injury Claim

Damages are a type of monetary award that is determined by a court of law to help compensate an aggrieved individual for any losses or injuries sustained as a result of someone’s negligence. The range of damages a burn victim can recover will vary based on the nature of the accident and the severity of their injuries. However, they can be categorized into three categories, economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic

Economic damages are calculable costs that are intended to compensate a plaintiff for monetary losses that a dollar amount can readily be attached to. It is calculated by determining the amount of out-of-pocket losses an aggrieved individual has or will expect to incur as a result of their injuries. For example, loss of earning capacity, lost income, medical bills, property damage, physical therapy costs, and lost wages are all things that can be calculated and valued for a certain amount.

Non-Economic

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are non-calculable costs that are designed to essentially cover losses that are thought of as subjective and will not necessarily cover out-of-pocket losses. Due to the nature of non-economic damages, the value will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some of the most common non-economic damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Punitive

The third type of damages a California court may award are known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended as a form of punishment and are only awarded when a defendant has showcased extreme recklessness and/or negligence. It is relatively rare and, in fact, was only incorporated in 5 percent of all verdicts. Furthermore, there is no real set standard for calculating and awarding punitive damages, but they are awarded at the court’s discretion and will vary depending on the specific circumstances of a case.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in Fresno?

For all personal injury cases in California, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the incidents as per section 335.1 of California’s Code of Civil Procedure. If accident victims do not file a claim within that time frame, they risk waiving their right to file a personal injury claim and recovering compensation for their injuries. Should they try to file a claim after the two year mark, their claim will be immediately dismissed from court.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have suffered a burn injury as a result of someone’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. A Fresno burn injury attorney at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for your losses. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of experience and our team of attorneys will fight for our clients right to ensure they get the justice they deserve.

As a result of our dedication, we have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our clients and our team will continue to do their duty to represent their clients and watch out for their best interest. No matter how complicated your case may be, our legal team will be there every step of the way.

To schedule a free consultation at our Fresno personal injury law firm, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.