Washington Burn Injury Lawyer

Burns are a common and painful injury that can come from a variety of different sources and can potentially damage the skin and the tissue underneath. While every burn injury is dependent on the severity and depth, severe burn injuries can potentially alter the way your skin recovers and how it looks. 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 from a burn is dependent on the severity, it can still cost several thousand dollars.

If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of burn injury attorneys are ready to take on your case and serve as your personal legal representative. We are a law firm with over 20 years of legal experience, our dedicated team of attorneys have handled a variety of burn injury claims from partial thickness burns to radiation burns. As a result of their dedication, they are confident that they can get you the fair 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 fight for our client’s best interests and ensure they are made financially whole again. Whether you have suffered burn injuries at work or in a car accident, our compassionate team of accident attorneys have seen them all and they are available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding 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 206-222-8860 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Are Different Types of Burn Injuries?

Due to the nature of burn injuries, there are many different types of burns that can be sustained from a variety of different sources. 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.

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are one of the most common types of burns a person could sustain, because they are caused by an exposure to a heat source such as fire, hot liquid, steam, and any hot surfaces. As such, this type of burn can come from a variety of sources from your kitchen to even your workplace. Due to the accessibility of fire based burns, the liability will be based on whether the injury was due to someone’s negligence or ill intent. Should the intensity of the source be high enough, it can result in scalding burns that require treatment from medical professionals.

Chemical

Chemical burns are when corrosive substances cause tissue damage due to the acidic properties in the chemical/substance. These types of burns are more common in industrial manufacturing plants, but they can also be found in common household cleaning supplies and industrial adhesives. Due to the dangerous chemical properties, chemical burns are considered to be severe burn injuries that can leave permanent scarring to the affected area. As such, if you have sustained a chemical burn it is highly recommended to seek immediate medical care.

Electrical

Electrical burns are when the skin comes into direct contact with an electrical current. This current would not only cause damage to the skin, but also to the nerves within. Much like any other type of burn, the depth will be dependent on the voltage and duration, however, a high voltage burn can potentially disrupt organ function. The burn injury liability for these cases tend to be harder to pinpoint due to the nature of electrical burns. However, if a person suffers an electrical burn due to an open source of electricity left by a negligent person, then that person can be held liable for their actions.

Degrees of Burns

The amount of compensation burn victims may receive from burn injury claims is going to be directly dependent on the severity of their losses and the costs of their medical bills. As such, burns are divided into one of four categories, First, Second, Third, and Fourth degree burns. Each degree is based on the harshness of the wound and it is important to understand the differences between them to get a better understanding of what kind of damages you can recover.

First Degree

First degree burns have a red appearance that is both painful and dry. It primarily affects only the outermost layer of the skin. Generally, they are classified as minor burns with no long-term damage and can be recovered fairly quickly. Burn victims will experience noticeable redness in the beginning stages, but near the end of their recovery, it will fade away. Due to their nature, first degree burns are a very minor injury and would not qualify for any personal injury cases.

Second Degree

Second degree burns penetrate the outer layer of your skin and the layer underneath (dermis). The appearance of the burn will appear bright red, swollen, and blistered. While a second degree burn 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

Third degree burns are serious burn injuries that not only burns outer layers of the skin, but also the innermost layers and even the nerves within. A third degree burn will appear as a white, black, brown, or yellow shade due to the burn’s depth of damage. While burn victims may not feel a sense of immediate pain, it can cause severe long term health complications and disfigurement than they realize. Anyone who has suffered third degree burns will need to seek immediate medical treatment and require skin grafts in order to make a full recovery.

Fourth Degree

Fourth degree burns cause the deepest and most severe burns and may result in life-threatening situations for the victim. All layers of your skin, including your muscles, bones, and tendons, will get destroyed and any leftover skin will leave serious scarring and nerve damage. Compared to a third degree burn, a fourth degree burn can damage internal organs, cause irreparable damage to the body, and naturally, significant physical pain.

These burns are extremely fatal and should a burn victim survive, they would require extensive plastic surgery, skin grafts, and physical therapy in order to make a partial recovery. In some cases, burn injury victims may experience post traumatic stress disorder and other psychological conditions, as a result, of surviving such a severe burn.

How Can a Washington Burn Injury Attorney Help You File a Claim?

Whether you choose a local attorney or a Seattle burn injury lawyer, hiring an experienced attorney can help you file and process every single detail and aspect of a burn injury claim. Burn injury attorneys not only file the necessary paperwork to start and finish the claim, they also help gather evidence, negotiate on your behalf to insurance companies and the opposing party, and even give you sound legal advice during a difficult point in your case. While you can choose to file a claim on your own, the chances of recovering compensation for your burn injury becomes lower and as a result, you may be forced to pay your burn treatment bills out of pocket.

What To Do After Suffering A Serious Burn Injury

If you have suffered a serious burn injury due to someone’s negligence or recklessness, it is vital that you stay calm and cool down the burn with water. Once you have done so, it is urged to assess the severity of the burn and determine if it requires additional medical care and treatment. After you have received the proper medical treatment, the next step would be figuring out if you should file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Should you do, it is important to document the burn injury and the accident scene as much as possible so you would have evidence to support your claims. Once you have gathered enough evidence and details, you can consult with a personal 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 sustained burn injuries due to someone else’s recklessness or negligence, you may be eligible to sue for compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of burn injury attorneys are ready to take on your case and fight for your best interests. With over 20 years of legal experience, our team of attorneys handle each burn injury case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves. As a result of their talent and dedication, they are confident that they can get you the 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. As filing for a burn injury case can be a long and complicated process, our legal team makes it their mission to ensure that you not only win your case, but also take the time to help you understand what is happening at all times.

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 206-222-8860 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Burn Injuries

What Is the Average Payout for Burns?

On average, a severe burn injury can be valued anywhere between the five to six figure range, however, this will be dependent on a number of factors such as the severity of the burn and identifying what damages are available to the victim. For instance, any scarring and disfigurement victims in a severe burn accident are eligible for damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. To get an accurate estimation of your case value, you can either consult with an attorney or input your costs in a personal injury settlement calculator.

How Long Will It Take to Resolve a Burn Injury Claim in Washington?

Generally speaking, every burn injury claim is different and will be dependent on factors such as the severity of the accident and the number of parties involved. With that in mind, a successful burn injury claim can take anywhere between several months to a year and half to resolve, and should the case go to trial, all involved parties can expect to be in trial as long as it requires until a verdict has been reached.

How Much Does a Burn Injury Lawyer Charge?

Whether its a Seattle burn injury attorney or a lawyer from Tacoma, most personal injury lawyers operate under a contingency-fee system. This means that clients won’t have to pay attorneys for their services unless they either win or receive a settlement offer. Should their attorney achieve either scenario then they will charge their clients a flat-fee that can range anywhere between 25%-40%, however, most tend to charge a competitive rate of 33%.