Santa Ana Burn Injury Lawyer

Burns are a painful injury that causes damage to the skin and to the soft tissue underneath, and if it is not treated correctly, then it can lead to a variety of discomforting health problems. According to the American Burn Association (ABA) burn incident fact sheet, roughly 29,000 people are admitted into a hospital’s burn unit every year and while the severity of the burn will widely vary, trying to recover from one can be an arduous process.

From skin grafting surgeries to physical therapy, serious burns can cause life-long damage that affects us both externally and internally and if you were a victim of an unfortunate accident, it can also be costly. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due the recklessness or ill intent of another person in Orange county, you may be eligible to file a claim and receive compensation.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of personal injury attorneys are here to fight for you and handle your case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our attorneys are confident that they can get you the financial compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and we will continue to guide them throughout the legal process. As filing a personal injury lawsuit on your own can be a frustrating experience for those who are unfamiliar with the legal system, our 24/7 legal team will be there every step of the way to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your case.

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.

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 severity of the burn and its location. There are four different degrees for burn injuries that could be sustained in an accident, first degree, second degree, third degree, and fourth degree. As the severity of the burn rises with each degree, it is important to understand the differences between them to get a better understanding of what kind of damages you can recover from.

First Degree Burns

One of the least serious degrees of burns, first degree burns are known as a superficial burn that only affects the outer layer of the skin and causes mild pain, redness, and swelling. Due to the nature of first degree burns, they can be generally 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 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 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 burn injury attorney.

Third Degree Burns

One of the more severe burns, a third degree burn damages all of the layers of skin, and even 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, and as a result it can cause more harm than what the burn victim realizes. Which is why, burn victims would require immediate medical attention, because if left untreated, it can cause severe long term health complications and disfigurement.

Fourth Degree Burns

A fourth degree burn is a severe injury that is potentially life threatening due to the scale and depth of the damage it does to a person’s skin. Compared to a third degree burn, a fourth degree burn can damage internal organs and cause irreparable damage to the body. They are fatal and should a burn victim survive, they would require extensive surgery and medical treatment in order to make a partial recovery.

Types of Burn Injuries

There many different types of burn injuries that can happen, however, from what is typically seen in Santa Ana, fire, chemical, and electrical burns are the most common. While each type of burn is dependent on the severity, degree, and location of the burn, if it is not treated correctly then you risk infection and possibly experience life changing injuries. So it is important to understand some of the differences between them when you are filing a burn accident claim.

Fire

Thermal burns are one of the most common types of burns found in an accident, because these types of burns are caused by exposure to a heat source such as a fire, hot liquid, steam, and hot surfaces. They can also come from a variety of sources from your kitchen at home to your workplace. As such, any personal injury cases that involve thermal burns will be dependent on the nature of the accident, the degree of the burn, and the scale of the damage.

Chemical

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 common in industrial manufacturing plants, they can also be found in common household cleaning supplies, paint, and industrial adhesives. As such, chemical burns can not only cause external damage, but it can cause internal damage due to the possible fumes they might emit during exposure.

Electrical

Electrical burns are a type of injury caused by coming into direct contact with an electrical current. This current would not only cause damage to the skin and the deeper parts of the tissue, but also the nerves within. With that in mind, the depth of an electrical burn will be entirely dependent on the voltage, source, and duration. In some severe cases, a high-voltage burn can potentially disrupt organ function so it is important to seek medical attention to prevent any further health complications.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Burn Injury?

Depending on the severity of burn injuries and the nature of the incident, accident victims can file a claim with a burn injury lawyer to receive economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are calculable damages that are 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, lost wages, and reconstructive surgery are all necessary that can be compensated for in an accident in order to make the victim financially whole again.

On the other hand, non-economic damages are incalculable damages designed to compensate victims for any emotional pain they may have experienced in an accident. For example, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life are all subjective and vary from person to person. While non-economic damages may not have a large impact on moderate burn injuries, they will have a larger impact on serious burn injuries.

What To Do After Suffering A Serious Burn Injury

If you have suffered a serious burn injury due to an accident, it is imperative 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 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 claim against those responsible. Once your wound is treated and you have gathered enough evidence and details, you can consult with a burn injury attorney and make a claim. Should they believe it is enough to start a claim 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 severe burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence then you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Should you choose to file a claim on your own, you may find yourself confused by the legal process and it may ultimately affect your total awarded compensation. As such, it is important to hire an Orange county burn injury lawyer who is well versed in the California court system and will look out for your best interests.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of burn injury lawyers are ready to take on your case and fight to ensure that you recover fair compensation for your damages. We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury claims and our experienced team of attorneys have handled a variety of burn injury cases in Orange county from full thickness burns to burn related infections. With over 20 years of legal experience, our attorneys are confident that they can get you the compensation you deserve.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to look out for their best interests and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Whether you were burned due to someone else’s negligence or sustained severe nerve damage at your place of work, we will be there every step of the way and be available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE 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 Question About Burn Injury Cases in Santa Ana

What Is the Average Payout for Burns?

The payout for a burn injury case is going to be dependent on a variety of factors such as scale and severity. As such, if a victim has suffered a severe burn that requires constant medical treatment and surgery, then it can potentially be worth anywhere within the six figure range. However, for more moderate sized burns they can be valued towards the five to six figure range.

What Should I Do if I Have Suffered a Burn Injury?

If you have suffered a burn injury, it is important that you cool the injury with water and cover it once it has cooled down. Once you have done so, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention and have it checked out by a profession in order to prevent any long-term complications or permanent disfigurement. Once your injury is properly treated, you can file a personal injury claim to those responsible if it is applicable to your situation.

How Much Do Burn Injury Attorneys Charge?

A burn injury attorney will typically operate under a contingency-based system which means that they won’t get paid unless they win or receive a settlement offer from opposing counsel. Should they achieve either, then they would charge a contingency fee that can range anywhere between 25%-40%, however, most lawyers would charge around a competitive rate of 33%.