Nevada Burn Injury Lawyer

A burn is a painful injury that can cause a person to suffer through a variety of health problems especially if the injury is extremely severe. According to the American Burn Association’s (ABA) burn incident fact sheet, 29,165 people are admitted into a hospital’s burn unit every year in the United States. While the severity of a burn injury will vary on a case-by-case basis, recovering through a traumatic burn injury is a difficult process and depending on the nature of the incident you can potentially recover financial damages.

Here at West Coast Trial Lawyers, we have a dedicated and experienced team of burn injury attorneys in Nevada who are available 24/7 to assist you throughout the entire legal process. As personal injury claims such as these can take an emotional and financial toll, you need an experienced burn injury attorney who will look out for you and ensure that you will recover compensation for all damages and future medical costs.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our clients who have suffered serious injuries and we are ready to fight for you. Our burn injury lawyers are well versed in the Nevada court system and have seen all types of burn injury claims, from third degree burns to chemical burns. With over 20 years of experience handling traumatic burn injury claims, we are confident that we will get you the financial compensation that you deserve for your losses.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Are The Different Types of Burn Injuries?

Generally speaking, there are eight different types of burn injuries a person can obtain and they are first degree, second degree, third degree, fourth degree, chemical, electrical, thermal and radiation. As burn injuries will vary on a case-by-case basis, it is important to understand the differences between each type so you can file the correct personal injury suit with a burn injury lawyer.

First Degree Burns

By far one of the least serious burn injuries one could acquire, a first degree burn is known as a minor superficial burn that only affects the outer layer of the skin. As a result, first degree burns typically only cause mild pain, redness and swelling and do not result in any kind of blistering or damage to the deeper layers of the skin.

Second Degree Burns

Second degree burns are a more serious burn that affects beyond the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and into the deeper layer of the skin (dermis). They are considered to be a partial burn that can vary in severity and damage, however in some cases, they can result in swelling, blistering, and even redness.

While most second-degree burns heal within a few weeks with proper care, deeper or more extensive burns may require medical treatment, such as prescription medication, specialized wrappings, or even light skin grafting to promote healing and reduce scarring.

Third Degree Burns

One of the more severe types of burn injuries, a third degree burn not only damages all of the layers of skin, but it also damages the underlying tissue, fat, muscles, and even bone. As the depth of the burn runs deep, third degree burns also damage the nerve endings in the skin, which results in a lack of immediate pain. However, despite this, recovering from a third degree burn requires attentive medical professionals and treatment to ensure it doesn’t get worse.

Fourth Degree Burns

Fourth degree burns are an extremely severe and rare type of burn injury that is potentially life threatening due to the scale and depth of the damage it does to a person’s skin. Unlike a third degree burn which damages skin and the underlying nerves, fats, and muscle, a fourth degree goes deeper and can potentially damage internal organs and cause irreparable damage to the skin. If it is not treated immediately, fourth degree burns can become fatal and for those who survive one will require extensive surgery such skin grafting, reconstructive surgery, and surgical debridement.

Chemical Burns

A chemical burn is a severe burn injury when the skin comes into contact with a corrosive substance and causes severe tissue damage and a burning sensation. While these acids and corrosives are found in chemical manufacturing plants, they can also be found in drain cleaners, paint thinners, and household disinfectants.

As such, their accessibility in everyday products makes them one of the most common burn injuries that can happen and in the most severe cases, chemical burns can do more internal damage due to the possible fumes they can produce.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns are a type of injury caused by coming into direct contact with an electrical current. This type of burn injury largely causes damage to the skin and the deeper parts of the tissue and the nerves. As such, the severity of an electrical burn is going to be dependent on the voltage, the electrical source, and the duration of contact. However, in some of the most severe cases, a high-voltage electrical burn can not only potentially disrupt the function and pacing of vital organs such as the brain and heart but they can cause extensive tissue damage without showcasing any visible external burn marks.

Radiation Burns

Radiation burns (or known as radiation dermatitis) is a type of burn caused by being exposed to radiation. These types of burns can come from various sources such as hospitals that conduct radiation therapy, nuclear power plants, and industrial manufacturers that handle radioactive materials and if exposed, they can damage the skin, the underlying tissue, and even the cells. Similarly, the severity of a radiation burn is dependent on the duration, but they can cause long-term complications such as tissue necrosis and cancer.

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are one of the most common types of burns found in a burn injury lawsuit. These types of burns are caused by exposure to a heat source such as a fire, hot liquid, steam, hot surfaces and they can come from a variety of different sources whether you are at home or at work. Much like the other types of burn injuries, the severity of a thermal burn will depend on the temperature and duration and they can cause anywhere between a first and fourth degree burn.

How to Prove Liability in a Burn Injury Case

According to section 41.1395 of Nevada’s Revised Statutes, liability is defined by whoever is more at fault of an incident. Whether the cause of the burn injury was due to a defective product, a car accident, or simply neglecting a workplace hazard, you need to acquire proof in order to determine liability for a burn injury case. While it is understandable that experiencing a serious burn injury takes a physical, emotional, and financial toll on a person. However, it is important to determine liability and gather evidence as soon as possible in order to recover compensation for your damages.

What Damages Can Burn Injury Victims Recover?

Burn injury victims may recover various damages depending on the circumstances of their case. While there are many different types of damages one can sue for, the varying types of damages can be categorized either into economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic Damages

For economic damages, this category includes all financial setbacks caused by the injury. This includes all measurable personal assets, ongoing bills, and potential future income as the burn injury can have a large effect on the victim’s financial status and ability to work. As such damages can include lost wages, loss of potential earnings, property damage, ongoing medical costs for surgery and treatment, and general medical bills.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages are referred to as negative experiences that an injured victim has suffered due to the accident. Naturally, these types of damages are intended to compensate for subjective and intangible losses that are not easily measured in standard monetary terms. This can include damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and even the loss of family and companionship.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are known as a rare form of damages intended to punish the defendant for their egregious conduct. Unlike economic and non-economic, punitive damages is designed to punish the defendant rather than reward and compensate the plaintiff for their damages. With that in mind, this is meant for the court to set an example and to deter any similar behaviors that may arise in the future.

How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Claim?

The nature of the incident can ultimately determine how much time you have to file your personal injury lawsuit. According to section 171.085 and section 171.090 of Nevada’s legislation, you have up to two years to file a claim for a misdemeanor and four years to file a claim for a felony. As Nevada has a statute of limitations on all misdemeanors and felonies, it is important that you file a claim before the statute of limitations is active or else you become unable to file a claim to those responsible for your burn injuries.

Our Nevada Burn Injury Attorneys Are Here To Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone’s negligence or ill intent, you may be able to sue to recover damages. As severe burn injuries require extensive medical care, surgery, and physical therapy, it is important to know all possible legal options to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Should you choose to pursue legal action, our trusted and experienced burn injury attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers are readily available to help with your personal injury claim. Our dedicated team of burn injury lawyers handle each case with integrity and respect to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries and damages.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to fight for them. Whether you need a Henderson, Reno, or Las Vegas burn injury attorney, our lawyers are available 24/7 to guide you through the legal process and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries in Nevada

How Long Do Burn Injury Claims Take?

The length of your burn injury claim will be dependent on the severity of the burn and the nature of the accident in question. For instance, victims who have suffered severe burns due to the negligence of a third party may take several months to years to process. However, on the other hand, those who have suffered moderate burns, can have their claims settled within a couple of months to a year.

Do Nevada Attorneys Take Most of Your Injury Settlement?

Typically, personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency-fee basis for all of their clientele. Meaning, that you won’t have to pay any legal fees until you either win your lawsuit or accept a settlement offer from opposing counsel. Should either scenario occur, then a personal injury lawyer can charge anywhere between 25%-40%, but they tend to average around a competitive rate of 33%.

What Is the Average Payout for Burn Injury Cases?

The average payout for a burn injury claim can be worth anywhere between the five to six figure range, however, it is going to be dependent on the severity of the burn as well as the negligence of the liable party. So if you are unsure about the overall value of your personal injury lawsuit, it is recommended to input your incurred costs in a personal injury settlement calculator or consult with a law firm that specializes in personal injuries.