(781) 531-8673Burn Injury Attorneys in 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. Reparative operations, such as skin grafts, are painful, expensive, and time-consuming.
Suppose you or a family member have suffered burn injuries through the negligent actions of another individual, company, or governmental entity. In that case, 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. Call 781-531-8673 to schedule a Consultation with Martino Law Group, LLC, to find out what your legal options are for your burn injury case.
What Should You Do After You 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 surround the accident. Even when you are removed from the source of the burn, burn injuries can continue to worsen without treatment, and infections become more likely.
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. This includes aftercare, physical therapy, and visits with a psychological professional. 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 four 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. If the skin is broken after a first-degree burn, you should seek medical attention as the risk of infection increases dramatically.
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 because 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. They are made even more dangerous by the potential destruction of nerves, which can cause numbness and the loss of use of the afflicted limbs.
Fourth-Degree Burns
These burns are the most destructive, burning through all layers of the skin and into muscles, tendons, and bones. These injuries are life-threatening and cause extensive damage to the victim. People who suffer fourth-degree burns often face amputation, permanent disfigurement, and permanent disability. Anyone who suffers from fourth-degree burns will need emergency treatment and long-term care.
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. Burn injuries are not always a result of coming in contact with fire. 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 tissues.
Thermal burns: Most individuals experience these types of burns when coming into physical contact with hot liquids, flames, or steam. Many thermal burns can be treated at home; however, a small percentage require specialized treatment in burn centers.
Cold burns: Victims suffer these types of burns when exposed to frigid temperatures. These burns 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 corrosive substance. In addition, if an individual ingests a chemical, it can cause severe damage to their internal organs.
Can You Recover Compensation for Burn Injuries?
If your burn injuries were the result of another person’s careless or negligent behavior or caused by unsafe work conditions, 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 whether 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
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Disfigurement
Many burn victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after their accident. This can require significant rehabilitation and therapy. This emotional distress can be long-lasting and have a serious impact on the victim’s quality of life.
Massachusetts law recognizes something called comparative negligence. That means that even if you are partially responsible for your own injuries, you may still be able to seek compensation for your injuries. The negligent party just may be responsible for less than if they were entirely responsible for your injuries.
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 Consultation with a member of our legal team.