Burn Accident
Severe Consequences of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are among the most life-threatening and painful forms of trauma you can experience. From severe bodily injuries, organ damage, and intense pain to visible scars and long-lasting psychological impact, the consequences of burn injuries can be life altering. If you have suffered a burn injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for what you have gone through and the losses you have suffered.
At the Agemian Law Group of Vinny Agemian, we have a team of battle-hardened attorneys who are ready to represent you at the negotiation table or in the courtroom to get you the compensation you deserve. We bring more than 150 years of combined litigation experience to the table and we will not stop fighting until we recover the damages you deserve.
Call us today at (866) 951-3901 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles burn injury lawyer at our firm.
Different Types of Burn Injuries that May Occur in Los Angeles Fire Accidents
- Thermal Burns: Thermal burns can be caused by exposure to open flames from house fires or car accidents, contact with boiling water, hot oil, or steam, and contact with hot surfaces like stoves, irons, or heated machinery.
- Electrical Burns: Electrical burns can result from contact with exposed wiring or faulty electrical appliances.
- Chemical Burns: Chemical burns can be caused by exposure to harmful chemicals in industrial settings and laboratories. Household cleaning products and disinfectants containing ammonia and bleach can also cause chemical burns.
- Radiation Burns: Radiation burns can be caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds, medical treatments involving radiation, and exposure to radioactive materials in certain industrial and medical environments.
- Cold Burns: Cold burns – commonly known as frostbites – can be caused by prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
How are Burn Injuries Classified Based on Their Severity?
- First Degree Burns: First degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin known as the epidermis. The symptoms include redness, minor inflammation or swelling, and pain. These burns typically heal within a week without any scarring.
- Second Degree Burns: Second degree burns extend beyond the epidermis and affect the dermis, which is the next layer of the skin. The symptoms include red, blistered skin, swelling, and more intense pain. These burns can take several weeks to heal and can result in scarring and changes in skin pigmentation.
- Third Degree Burns: Third degree burns destroy the epidermis as well as the dermis and affect deeper tissues. They can also damage nerves and sweat glands. The burn area might appear white, black, brown, or charred. The affected area might be numb due to nerve damage, but the surrounding areas can be extremely painful. These burns often require surgical intervention and can result in significant scarring and permanent tissue damage.
- Fourth Degree Burns: Fourth degree burns can extend through the skin and underlying tissues and damage the muscles, tendons, and bones. The burn area might appear blackened and charred with possible exposure of bone and muscle. These burns require extensive medical treatment including surgery, rehabilitation, and possibly amputation and can result in severe scarring and functional impairment.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury in Los Angeles?
- Commercial and industrial property owners who fail to implement necessary fire safety measures
- Landlords who neglect necessary repairs and fail to comply with building codes and safety regulations
- Manufacturers and distributors of faulty electrical appliances and products containing chemicals or flammable materials
- Employers who fail to provide proper safety equipment, training, or maintain safe working conditions
- Contractors, electricians, and other service providers whose negligence or unsafe work practices lead to burn injuries
- Car and truck drivers involved in accidents causing burn injuries
- Retailers that sell dangerous products that can cause burn injuries without adequate warnings or instructions for safe use
- Tanning salon operators who fail to inspect and maintain their tanning beds in proper working condition
- Restaurants that fail to train their staff on how to handle hot food items properly
Importance of Effective Legal Representation in Burn Injury Claims
Burn injuries can penetrate multiple layers of your skin and damage the underlying tissues, muscles, and even bones. As a result, you might require extensive medical treatment including surgeries, specialized wound care, and ongoing medical care.
Moreover, burn injuries can lead to visible scars and disfigurement, which can significantly impact your physical appearance and psychological well-being. To repair the damaged skin, you might have to undergo skin grafting procedures and reconstructive surgery, which can be expensive. The financial burden resulting from these treatments can be overwhelming, even if you have health insurance.
Without effective legal representation, you might not be able to obtain the compensation you deserve, as the insurance company will almost certainly question the necessity of your treatments and downplay the long-term implications of your injuries. From proving the extent of your injuries to establishing their impact on your quality of life, you might face hurdles at every step of the process. This is why it is so important to have an experienced Los Angeles burn injury lawyer on your side.
At the Agemian Law Group of Vinny Agemian, we have represented countless burn injury victims over the years and we know the unique challenges and complexities associated with these claims. We can gather comprehensive medical evidence, consult with medical and rehabilitation professionals, accurately calculate the long-term costs associated with your injuries, and make sure your settlement covers all your current and future needs.
Factors That Can Impact the Value of Your Burn Injury Claim
Degree of Burns: The classification of your burns (first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree) is crucial. More severe burns typically require extensive medical treatment and result in higher compensation.
Surface Area Affected: The percentage of your body affected by the burns can significantly influence the settlement amount. Larger surface areas generally mean more intensive and costly treatments.
Depth of Burns: Deeper burns that affect multiple layers of skin and underlying tissues often lead to more complex and prolonged recovery processes.
Immediate Medical Costs: This includes the costs of emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and other initial treatments.
Ongoing and Future Medical Care: Expenses for follow-up visits, physical therapy, skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, and any future medical procedures needed to aid your recovery.
Rehabilitation and Therapy: Costs associated with physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling to address both physical and emotional recovery.
Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have lost while recovering from your injuries.
Future Earning Potential: If your injuries have resulted in a long-term or permanent disability that affects your ability to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost future earnings and diminished earning capacity.
Permanent Scarring: Visible and permanent scars can have a significant impact on your appearance and self-esteem, leading to higher compensation.
Impact on Quality of Life: The degree to which disfigurement affects your daily life, social interactions, and overall well-being.
Physical Pain: The physical discomfort and pain endured due to the burns.
Emotional Distress: Psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and the emotional trauma associated with disfigurement and scarring.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the loss of ability to enjoy activities and hobbies that you once did.
Negligence: The extent of the defendant’s negligence in causing your burn injury. Clear evidence of negligence or misconduct can strengthen your claim.
Comparative Fault: In Los Angeles, if you’re found partially at fault for the incident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.