New York Burn Victim

The Centers for Disease Control reports that there are over 1.1 million burn injuries each year that require medical attention. Of that number, approximately 4,500 people with burn injuries die, and thousands are left permanently disfigured. Burn victims often have a particularly difficult time coping with their injuries and recovering from them as the pain is often severe, making it a challenge to perform routine activities. Burn injuries can occur anywhere. While they sometimes happen at home, they also occur as a result of a construction accident. There are also cases where victims are severely burned in an auto accident where the impact of the collision causes the vehicle to burst into flames. The vast majority of such accidents are avoidable as they were caused by negligence. If your burn injury or the burn injury of a loved one was the result of the negligence of another person, immediately contact an experienced New York Burn Victim Lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain your options for pursuing a personal injury claim or a wrongful death claim.

• Contact Burns: These occur when a person makes contact with hot metal, glass, plastic or coals.
• Inhalation: These burns are caused by inhaling chemicals and cause major damage to the lungs. These burns can take several days to become apparent.
• Chemical: These burns are caused by contact with chemicals such as battery acid, gases and oils.
• Electrical: The severity of these burns will depend on the intensity and duration of the shock.
• Ultraviolet: These can be caused not only by the sun, but tanning booths.

Burns can occur in many different ways. Not only flames but steam, intense heat, radiation and chemicals can also cause serious burns. When a burn victim is diagnosed with a first-degree burn, the first layer of skin is damaged. When both the first and the second layer of skin are affected, it is categorized as a second-degree burn. A burn victim with a third degree burn will suffer burns and severe damage to all layers of the skin. A third degree burn can cause severe permanent scarring, nerve damage, affect body chemistry and can be fatal.

A burn victim may experience severe nerve damage, which causes a severe disruption in the body’s fluid balance. Dehydration is usually a serious problem. The victim may have a difficult time regulating body temperature as well. This serious nerve damage can include a serious head injury or in some cases a spinal injury. Permanent disfigurement can often lead to emotional problems as well.

• Fires in a home not equipped with a smoke detector
• Inhalation of caustic chemicals
• Exposure to industrial chemicals
• A defective product, such as a hot water heater, BBQ or furnace
• Apartment fires
• Fires in hotels and motels

Hotels, retailers and apartment managers are liable for burn injuries or deaths that occur due to building code violations. Lack of working smoke detectors, locked or unmarked fire exits, or faulty sprinkler systems can create additional liability. Our team will work with fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire and hold those parties accountable.

The medical expenses associated with treatment and rehabilitation are generally substantial. Treatment for severe burns may involve plastic surgery, multiple skin grafts, skin replacement and physical therapy. Through a personal injury lawsuit, you can require the responsible party to compensate you for the medical expenses associated with your burn injury. Because you are likely to miss a significant amount of time from your job you will also suffer from a loss of income. In addition burn victims are often left with scarring and other types of permanent disfigurement. Because of this the responsible party will likely be required to pay you damages for pain and suffering.

Sadly, many victims of severe burns do not survive. If a family member passes away as a result of severe burns, you may be entitled to compensation from a wrongful death claim.

To help you cope with the financial stresses on you and your family as a result of your burn injuries, it is important to have experienced representation who can help you pursue a claim to recover the compensation to which you are entitled. Contact Stephen Bilkis and Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling personal injury cases against both individuals and businesses whose negligence caused accidents that resulted in burn injuries. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.