Burn Injury Lawyers of Melrose, MA Helping Burn Victims Obtain Full and Fair Compensation for Their Injuries

Burns are some of the most painful injuries an individual may have to deal with in their lifetime. Burn injuries are serious in nature as they inflict extremely severe physical pain but can also prove to be difficult to manage as burn victims are often prone to infections due to their compromised skin tissue. To make matters worse, many victims experience significant mental anguish caused by issues related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the incident that caused the injury.

Another issue that a majority of burn victims have to deal with is permanent scarring and possible disfigurement. Burn injury victims often need to be hospitalized, accumulating a significant amount of medical bills and other medical-related expenses.

If you or a family member have suffered burn injuries through the negligent actions of another individual, company, or governmental entity, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering. Burn injuries require a great deal of specialized medical care which can become costly for the victim.

What Should I Do After I Have Suffered Burn Injuries on the Job?

If you have suffered burn injuries on the job, the first step that you need to take is to obtain medical attention for your injuries. Call 911 so that medical professionals can be alerted that you are on the way. The sooner you are able to get to a medical facility, the sooner you can receive medical treatment. The police can also investigate and make a report on the circumstances that surrounded the accident.

Receiving medical assistance can also greatly benefit your case as you will have documentation as to the severity of your injuries. This could prove to be key evidence at a later date. It is also a good idea to take pictures of your burn injuries from the time that you are first injured and throughout your recovery process. Also, be certain to keep track of all the expenses you have had to pay in relation to your injuries, along with any additional medical reports. Gather witness statements, if possible, including witness information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers.

How Serious are Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries are some of the most serious and excruciating injuries that an individual can suffer and are classed into three distinct levels based on severity. They are as follows:

First-Degree Burns

These are considered to be the least painful burns and are superficial in nature. These injuries affect the first few layers of the skin and can cause swelling, redness, and pain. These types of burns can be treated at home with over-the-counter products.

Second-Degree Burns

A second-degree burn is more invasive than a first-degree burn in that it affects both the epidermis (the outermost layer) and the dermis (the second layer) of the skin. Second-degree burns can cause a victim to experience severe pain, swelling, blisters, and painful scarring.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention due to the fact that they can lead to severe health complications and even death. These burns commonly reach the hypodermis, the fat layer beneath the skin. Burns of this nature can cause the burned area of skin to appear brown, black, or rubbery. These burns are made even more dangerous by the fact that nerves have the potential to be destroyed, which can cause numbness.

What Can Cause Serious Burn Injuries? 

There are many potential situations that can cause burns, such as cooking, working with chemicals, and operating certain types of machinery. Some of the most common burn injuries occur from the following types of accidents:

Radiation burns: These burns are normally caused by X-rays, UV rays, or radiation therapy used to treat cancer patients. Although they may appear to be superficial in nature, they are quite serious as they can cause damage to internal organs and other tissue.

Thermal burns: Most individuals experience these types of burns when coming into physical contact with hot liquids, flames, or steam. Many thermal burns are simply treated at home; however, a small percentage of individuals require specialized treatment in burn centers.

Cold burns: Victims suffer these types of burns when exposed to frigid temperatures. Burns of this type are commonly referred to as frostbite and, in most cases, occur when individuals go outside without appropriate clothing. Some of these burns occur when individuals touch freezing surfaces without gloves.

Electrical burns: Some of the most severe burns can occur when electricity makes contact with a person’s body and travels through it. This can lead to organ and tissue damage and, in many cases, death.

Chemical burns: Severe chemical burns can result when the skin, eyes, or mouth come into contact with a substance that is corrosive in nature. In addition, if an individual ingests a chemical, it can cause severe damage to their internal organs.

Can I Recover Compensation for Burn Injuries?

If your burn injuries were the result of another person’s careless or negligent behavior, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries. Recovering compensation largely depends on whether the party responsible for your injuries owed you a duty of care and their reckless behavior directly caused your burn injuries. Some of the most common types of compensation that you may be eligible to receive include the following examples:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity

In addition, when a burn injury occurs while you are on the job, typically, you can qualify for worker’s compensation benefits. If a third party was partially responsible for causing your burn injury, then you may have the option of filing a claim against them as well.

If you have suffered serious burn injuries, you need to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The Martino Law Group, LLC has experienced burn injury attorneys who are committed to obtaining justice for you. Contact us by calling (781) 531-8673 and schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team.