San Jose Burn Injury Lawyer

A burn is a painful injury that damages the skin and the tissue underneath. While the severity of a burn will vary on a case by case basis, they can happen anywhere and anytime and if it is not treated properly, it can result in serious health problems for the foreseeable future. The American Burn Association (ABA) has reported in a burn incident fact sheet, that about 29,000 people are admitted into a hospital’s burn unit every year and while the cost of recovery is dependent on the nature of the burn, it can still cost several thousand dollars.

With that in mind, if you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of San Jose burn injury lawyers are ready to take on your case and serve as your personal legal representative throughout this endeavor.

We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our dedicated team of attorneys have handled a variety of burn injury claims from thermal burns to chemical exposure. As a result of our dedication, we have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty and fight for their best interests to ensure they receive the maximum compensation for their damages.

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

What Causes Burn Injuries in San Jose?

As burn injuries are a result of the skin encountering a high temperature substance or chemical, there are many different types of burn injuries that can be sustained. However, from what is typically seen in San Jose, fire, chemical, and electrical burns are the most common causes of serious burn injuries. While each burn injury is dependent on the severity, degree, location, and the nature of the accident, it is important to understand some of the differences between them so you can properly apply first aid and understand what it means when filing a burn injury claim.

Thermal Burn

Thermal burns are a type of injury that are caused by exposure to a heat source such as a fire, hot liquid, steam, and hot surfaces. Due to the nature of these burns, they stand as one of the most common types found in an accident because they can come from a variety of sources from your kitchen at home to your workplace.

With that in mind, if you have suffered a burn injury, it is important to treat these burns with cool water, clean it as thoroughly as you can, and wrap it with bandages. While the severity of the thermal burns will depend on the nature and degree of the burn, it is recommended to seek medical treatment.

Chemical Burn

Chemical burns are when corrosive substances come into contact with the skin and cause tissue damage due to the acidic properties in the chemical. While these types of burns are more commonly found in industrial manufacturing plants, they can also be sustained in common household cleaning accidents due to cleaning supplies, paint, and industrial adhesives.

Due to the nature of a chemical burn they can potentially inflict internal damage from the fumes they might emit. Which is why, should a person suffer a chemical burn, it is vital that you flush the chemical with cool running water for at least 15 minutes and it is highly recommended to call 911 and to have it treated by first responders.

Electrical Burn

Electrical burns are a type of injury that is caused by the skin coming into direct contact with an electrical current. This current would not only cause damage to the skin, but it can damage the deeper parts of the tissue and the organs and nerves within. Treating a burn such as this, is very similar to other burns but it is vital that you pay close attention to the location of the injury and any symptoms that may arise.

The depth of an electrical burn will be entirely dependent on the voltage, source, and duration, but in some severe cases, a high-voltage burn can potentially disrupt organ function. It is also important to note that electrical burns are notorious for being difficult to spot, which is why it is highly recommended to see a medical professional if you are experiencing any symptoms.

Degrees of Burn Injuries

If you are filing a claim for a severe burn injury, the strength of your claim will be dependent on the nature of the incident, the severity of the burn, and its location. There are four different burn degrees a person can suffer in an accident, first degree, second degree, third degree, and fourth degree. As the degree increases, so does the severity of the burn, so it is important to understand the differences between them to get a better understanding of what you can seek fair compensation for.

First Degree Burns

First degree burns are known as minor burns that only affect the outer layer of the skin and as a result, causes mild pain, redness, and swelling. These types of burns are known as superficial injuries, because they can be treated at home and can take several days to a week to recover depending on the depth and location.

Second Degree Burns

A second degree burn is a more serious type of burn injury that affects the outer layer of the skin. While it is not as severe as third or fourth degree burns, they are considered to be partial burns that can cause mild discomfort and physical pain. It is possible for burn injury victims to sue for second degree burns, but it is only applicable under certain circumstances, so it is recommended to consult with a San Jose burn injury lawyer.

Third Degree Burns

A third degree burn is a more serious burn injury that damages all of the layers of skin, the underlying tissue, fat, muscles, and in some cases even bone. Due to the burn’s depth, it damages the nerve endings in the skin which results in a lack of immediate pain, but can cause catastrophic injuries that are difficult to recover from. If left untreated, it can cause severe long term health complications and disfigurement and the only path to recovery requires skin grafts and other reconstructive surgeries.

Fourth Degree Burns

A fourth degree burn is without a doubt one of the most severe burn injuries a person could sustain in an accident. Compared to a third degree burn, a fourth degree burn can potentially damage internal organs and cause irreparable damage to the body. Depending on the location of the burn, it can be life threatening and any chance of survival would require extensive surgery, skin grafts, and constant medical treatment. Should a burn victim survive, they would be faced with high medical bills and be left in an extremely painful state.

What Types of Compensation Can I Receive for My Burn Injuries in San Jose?

Depending on the severity and scale of the burn injury, accident victims can be expected to receive economic and non-economic damages for any severe burns they have sustained due to a party’s negligence or recklessness. Economic damages are calculable costs designed to cover any unexpected costs that arise for a victim when they are hurt in an accident. Costs such as physical therapy, future medical expenses, and future lost wages are all things that can be compensated for in an accident in order to make the victim financially whole again.

Meanwhile, non-economic damages are incalculable costs designed to compensate victims for any emotional pain they may have experienced in an accident. For example, incalculable costs such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life are all subjective and will vary from person to person. No matter what kind of injuries you have sustained, it if you suffered burns due to a person’s negligence and wish to obtain compensation, it is highly recommended to consult with a San Jose burn injury lawyer

Understand the Statute of Limitations for California Burn Injury Claims

According to section 335.1 of California’s code of civil procedure, the statute of limitations for all personal injury claims must be made within two years of the accident date. Should victims fail to file any burn injury cases within that time frame, then the statute of limitations takes into effect and they would not be able to recover any damages for the incident. With that in mind, the only exception to the two year rule is unless the victim is a minor, in jail, legally insane, living out-of-state, or disabled.

What Should I Do After Suffering a Burn Injury in San Jose?

If you have suffered a serious burn injury, it is vital that you keep calm, cool down the burn with water, and assess the severity of the burn. Should you require medical care and treatment, seek out immediate medical assistance as soon as possible in order to prevent it from worsening.

However, whether the burn is severe or moderate, it is highly recommended to document the injury and the accident as much as possible should you wish to file a personal injury claim against the liable party. Once your wound is treated and you have gathered enough evidence and details, you can consult with a burn injury lawyer and make a claim. Should they believe it is enough to start a claim against the at fault party then they will get started on the legal process.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to recover compensation. As filing for a burn injury case can be a long and complicated process, it is vital that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney who will be there every step of the way and answer any questions you may have.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of San Jose burn injury attorneys are ready to take on your case and fight for you. With over 20 years of legal experience, our team of attorneys handle each case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves and they are confident that they can get you the full and fair compensation you deserve for your losses. We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to do our duty to guide them throughout the legal process.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE legal consultation today, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Jose Burn Injuries

Can I Sue My Job for a Burn?

If your job was negligent in their duties to provide adequate protection or first aid for a burn injury then they can be held liable and you can file a claim and hire a burn injury attorney to recover compensation for your injuries.

How Much is A Burn Injury Claim Worth?

The total value of a burn injury claim will depend on several factors such as the severity and scale of the burn. For example, any personal injury cases with severe burn injuries can be potentially valued anywhere within the five to six figure range in order to cover necessary medical expenses. If you are unaware how much you can recover, you visit our personal injury settlement calculator and find out how much your claim is worth!

Can You Sue a Company for Chemical Burns?

Yes, if your company was negligent in their duties to provide care around chemical products and substances and you were injured as a result, then they can be held liable for their actions. While the value will depend on the nature of the incident and the scale of your personal injuries, they can be held accountable nonetheless.