New York Burn Injury Lawyer

Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in a fire? Our attorneys at Fire Injury Lawyers NYC can help.

In the city of New York, burn injuries happen every day and in a wide range of settings. From workplace burn injuries to burns at home or in public spaces, burn victims face significant struggles as they work to restore their lives.

Serious burn injuries caused through neglect, someone else’s negligence, or the careless acts of others can result in lost wages, expensive medical treatment, and both physical and emotional distress.

Burn injury victims do not always know where to turn for help in filing a burn injury lawsuit. With the help of an experienced New York burn injury lawyer, you can preserve your rights and navigate the complexities of a burn injury lawsuit. These New York burn injury lawyers work for burn victims, helping to recover compensation for lost wages and medical bills you deserve.

In this guide, we’ll explore what causes burn injuries and how these injuries are classified. Then, we’ll present need-to-know information about how personal injury lawyers can help you regain your livelihood.

Types of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can occur in the home or workplace. They may even result from dangerous conditions or negligence in public spaces, retail establishments, restaurants, and event spaces.

First, let’s discuss how burn injuries occur, then dive into how medical professionals classify these injuries.

Common Burn Injuries

Burn injuries take many forms and are dependent on the source of heat or friction that causes the injury. The most common categories of burn injuries are:

Thermal Burns: These are the most common type of burns and they are caused by contact with flames, hot liquids, steam, and hot objects. They can range from mild (first-degree burns) to severe (third-degree burns and beyond).

Chemical Burns: These burns are caused by contact with harsh chemicals, like acids, bases, bleach, or battery fluid. Chemical burns can be particularly dangerous because the burning effect can continue as long as the chemical remains on the skin or within the wound, potentially causing deep tissue damage. Car accident victims often receive chemical burns from contact with hot gases or fluids released in the crash.

Electrical Burns: Electrical burns occur when an electric current passes through the body. The external appearance of an electrical burn may seem minor, but the damage can extend deep into the tissues and organs, potentially causing serious injury.

Radiation Burns: These types of burns can be caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light (like from the sun), tanning booths, radiation therapy (as used for cancer treatment), or nuclear radiation. Sunburn is a common type of radiation burn. More serious burns can result from exposure to high levels of radiation, particularly in medical or industrial settings.

Friction Burns: Friction burns occur when the skin rubs against a hard surface, causing damage similar to an abrasion, combined with a heat burn. Road rash from a motorcycle accident or car accident is a common example of a friction burn. These burns range in severity from first- or second degree burns to more devastating third degree burn injuries.

Severity of Burn Injuries

Medical treatment for burn injuries depends on the type and severity of the burn. Burn injuries are classified by degrees of severity as follows:

First-degree burns are superficial and involve only the outer layer of skin, or the epidermis. They typically result in redness and pain, but no blistering. Sunburn is a common example. A first degree burn injury may not require medical treatment, but in some cases, burn victims may need medical attention.
Second-degree burns extend to the second layer of the skin, or the dermis. They cause redness, pain, inflammation, and blistering. Typically, a second degree burn injury victim will need some type of medical care to help alleviate the pain and damage caused by second degree burns. Motor vehicle accidents are some of the leading causes of second degree burn injury cases.
Third-degree burns extend through the entire dermis and often affect underlying tissues. As one of the more serious burns, the skin may appear white or charred, and the burn area can feel numb due to nerve damage. In worst-case scenarios, skin grafts or surgery may be needed to help the third-degree burn injury victim recover.
Fourth-degree burns are the most severe type and extend through the skin to damage underlying muscles, tendons, and possibly bones. Severe nerve damage is also common in a fourth degree burn. These burns often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and skin grafting. Complications from fourth degree burns may result in death; a fourth degree burn is considered life-threatening, and a burn injury victim typically faces steep medical expenses as he or she recovers from the injury.

Consequences of Severe Burn Injuries

Pain and suffering are only two of the many consequences burn injury victims face after devastating fire or chemical burns cause damage. In addition to the medical costs, a victim who has suffered severe burns may encounter:

Lost wages
Lost work opportunities
Loss of earning capacity
Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses
Costs associated with property damage
Non-economic damages, including loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of consortium

For some of the most painful injuries, a burn victim may never be able to recover completely and medical expenses can pile up. In these personal injury cases, an experienced burn injury attorney will seek maximum compensation for the victim and his or her family members.

What Should Burn Injury Victims Do if They’ve Been Hurt?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a New York fire, either in the workplace, at home, or in a public space, there are steps you need to take to preserve your health and personal rights:

Medical Treatment

First, seek medical treatment immediately. The sooner you begin treatment, the sooner you can recover from your burn injuries. Even if the burn injuries do not appear to be major, serious burns can result in long-term pain and loss of mobility if left untreated.

Speak to Insurance Providers

After receiving a burn injury, your insurer may have specific information they need to collect in order to process an insurance claim. If your insurer does not provide suitable assistance, especially in the case of a serious burn injury, a New York burn injury attorney can be of tremendous help. See the next step for more information.

Consulting with NYC Burn Injury Lawyers

Next, consult an experienced burn injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your New York City burn injury attorney can help you decide whether or not to file a burn injury claim against those responsible for your injury. A personal injury lawyer will also help you collect and maintain all records, including documents related to medical bills, eyewitness statements, evidence of negligence or neglect, and other information that will be valuable in your injury claim.

Wrongful Death Claims

If a person dies as a result of their injuries, a wrongful death lawsuit may be pursued by surviving family members. New York burn injury attorneys with experience in helping accident victims can help you navigate the process of filing an injury claim or wrongful death suit. Fatal burn injuries occur every day in New York City

Burn Injury Victims Have Rights; Let Us Help You Protect Those Rights

Experienced burn injury lawyers in New York City are standing by to help burn accident victims. Whether you received a minor first degree burn or a more serious injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury, especially if serious burn injuries were a result of negligence, neglect, or carelessness on the part of someone else.

To begin your personal injury case, your New York attorney can help you determine if you have a case. Most attorneys provide a free case evaluation for this purpose. Next, your attorney can help guide you through the next steps, including negotiating with insurance providers, filing legal claim paperwork, and representing you in a lawsuit.

Personal injury attorneys have the experience and legal knowledge needed to assist burn injury victims and their families. Don’t hesitate to call for a free consultation if you or someone you love has been injured!