Burn Injury Attorneys in Trenton New Jersey

If you have been burned or seen someone burned in an unfortunate accident, you know how excruciating the pain can be.  Unlike broken bones or lacerations, there is no quick fix for a burn.  Anyone suffering from a burn knows that the healing process is lengthy and, depending on the degree of the burn, the impacts can be permanent.  If the burn was caused by the negligence of another, you may have a legal claim.

Burn statistics

Burn Injury Attorneys in Trenton New JerseyThe American Burn Association reports that in 2016, there were 486,000 people treated for burns across the Unites States. It also reports that there were “2,745 deaths from residential fires, 310 from vehicle crash fires, and 220 from other sources.” According to the World Health Organization reports that each year, 180,000 people die worldwide due to burn-related injuries.  Sadly, a fire-related death occurs every 2 hours and 41 minutes. Many of the fire-related deaths and injuries could have been prevented – caused by negligence on the part of someone else.

Causes of Burn Injuries

Just as there are many different types of burns and degrees of harm, there are different causes of burns.  In some circumstances, the unsafe behavior of a person or company wrongfully caused or contributed to the burn-related injury.  In those situations, the negligent party should be held accountable for the losses and injuries sustained by the victim.  Some causes for burn injuries are:

Liquid related-injuries caused by scalding

Children are often the victims of scalding burns. Scalding occurs when hot liquids come into contact with skin, causing a burn.  Scalding can even cause third-degree burns, which reach the fat layer under the skin. Hot baths or unattended pots on stoves are frequent reasons for these types of burns.

Car Accidents

Automobiles can cause severe burn injuries due to gasoline and combustible materials.  Death can occur because of the burns themselves or due to smoke inhalation caused by the accident. In some cases, a negligent driver is responsible for the injuries of the innocent party in a car accident.

Chemical and Electrical Burns

Chemicals can be helpful substances if used properly. However, when some chemicals are misused or come into contact with skin, they can cause serious burns.  These burns may result in minor scarring or they may cause disfigurement, death, or loss of the body’s ability to function.  Similarly, electrical burns can be lethal.  An electrical burn is caused by electrical shock or malfunction. Injuries related to electrical shock cause internal injuries that are not immediately made known but can have life-long impacts.

Both electrical and chemical burns often occur in work-related accidents.  Companies are required to follow certain state or federal safety regulations and they should be held accountable for creating any risk of harm to their employees or innocent bystanders.

Other causes

There are many causes of burn-related injuries.  Flammable liquids, smoke inhalation from fires, welding, machines, motor vehicles, and combustible fumes and materials are just some of these additional causes.

Severity of Burn Injuries

Severity of Burn InjuriesAccording to the Mayo Clinic, “burns are tissue damage that results from heat, overexposure to the sun or other radiation, or chemical or electrical contact. Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies.”  They range in severity and are considered either first, second, or third-degree burns. Since there are different layers of the skin, the degree of a burn indicates just how deep the burn injury is.

1st-degree burns. First degree burns are common and occur when there is damage to the outer layer of the skin.  You will likely experience discomfort and mild pain.  A mild sunburn is a good example.

2nd-degree burns. A second-degree burn causes injury to the outer layer and the second layer of the skin. A person who experiences second-degree burns will likely have pain, blisters, and scarring.

3rd-degree burns. Third-degree burns are the most severe and can cause the most damage.  This type of burn is deep and reaches the fat layer of the skin.  The burns may appear black or dark.  They cause severe scarring, nerve damage and numbness, and permanent disfigurement.  Third-degree burns may require painful skin grafting and prolonged hospitalization.

Recovery

Often, people who have been burned have been unable to attend work, school, or social functions. Medical bills may become insurmountable and as treatment continues, the financial losses accumulate. Additionally, the emotional turmoil caused by the accident can cause depression, which can impact social and family relationships. With some much trauma, the burn victim can feel isolated and alone, without sufficient financial means to get by.  If you have suffered from a burn injury, you may be entitled to recovery.

Contact our Mercer County Burn Injury Law Firm Today

If you are dealing with the pain, trauma, and grief of dealing with the loss of your property or health problems after a fire caused by another’s negligence, the last thing you should have to deal with is fighting for the compensation that is due to you.

The experts at The Law Office of Cohen & Riechelson are compassionate about your situation and will fight to get you the maximum compensation you are entitled to under the law. Please reach us by calling (609) 528-2596 or checking our online form to schedule your consultation.