The most common cause of burn injury is fire, but other causes such as radiation or chemicals can be equally dangerous. Explosions, common on oil rigs, frequently result in both burn injuries and others such as head trauma, spinal cord injury, and amputation.
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident resulting in a burn injury you may be entitled to significant compensation. Bakersfield personal injury attorney, Mickey Fine will evaluate your case for free to help you determine if you have cause to file suit and seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and personal pain and suffering.
The National Institutes of Health reports that more than two million people require medical treatment for burns each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 50,000 burn injuries require long-term hospitalization, and nearly 15,000 people die each year from these traumatic injuries or complications associated with them, such as infection.
Degrees of Burn Injuries
There are four degrees of burns:
First-degree burns – These burns involve only the epidermis. They may appear red and be quite painful, but they generally require only minor medical intervention and heal within a week.
Second-degree burns – These burns involve the epidermis and the papillary and reticular dermis. They will be moist and are often accompanied by a blister. Second-degree burns are painful and will require some medical care during their two to three week healing period. Infection can accompany this type of burn and scarring is often an inevitable consequence.
Third-degree burns – These burns extend through the entire dermis. Third-degree burns look white, leathery, and require excision to remove. Depending on the area burned, amputation may be necessary. Contractures, scarring, and a loss of function are all common with this type of burn.
Fourth-degree burns – These burns extend into the subcutaneous tissue and may impact underlying muscle and bone. With their black appearance, fourth-degree burns require excision to remove. As with third-degree burns, treatment may necessitate amputation. Even when a limb is saved, disfigurement and a permanent loss of function will accompany these burns. Fourth degree burns commonly result in death.
Common Accidents That Cause Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are very common in the United States. The American Burn Association estimates that about 500,000 burn injuries require medical treatment across the US each year in the following accidents:
With a high survival rate, burn injuries can be one of the most painful personal injuries a person can live with.
Mickey Fine has dealt with many burn victims and their families in California and can attest to how impactful a burn injury can be a person’s life. Mickey has fought for burn injury victims for many years and has worked to ensure that they receive the compensation that they deserve to move forward.
Types of Burns
There are two types of burns one can sustain in an accident which include internal and external. An external burn occurs when the skin is exposed to a heat source, electrical source, chemicals, or radiation. An internal burn can be caused by inhaling gases or liquids, ingesting chemicals, and electrocution.
According to the American Burn Association, the most common causes of burn injuries in the US included:
Contact with Fires: Nearly 50% of all burn injuries in the US are a result of coming into contact with fire.
Thermal Burns: According to the ABA, nearly 8% of burn injuries in the US are a result of contact with hot irons or ovens.
Scalding Burns: Over 30% of burn injury victims are burned by steam, hot water, and spilled coffee.
Electrical Burn Injuries: Just under 5% of burn injuries in the US are a result of contact with a live wire or other electrical equipment.
Chemical Burns: Exposure to dangerous chemicals cause 3% of the burn injuries in the United States each year.
Just under 10% of the remaining burn injuries in US result from sun exposure, inhalation, and other accidents.
Gas Explosions
Most homes in Bakersfield, CA use natural gas or propane for many purposes. However, gas is very dangerous and combustible when it accidentally leaks. Unfortunately, we see gas explosions and fires on the news quite often. The damage that these explosions cause is tremendous and they often leave homes destroyed.
Common causes of gas explosions in homes include:
Gas explosions occur when gas leaks into the air and reaches a critical value. When this mixture comes into contact with a flame, the mixture in the air will ignite causing an explosion.
The explosion that occurs in these instances is caused by the expanding gas which builds up a tremendous amount of pressure within a confined space. When a home can no longer hold the pressure that has built up, an explosion occurs.
Most of these situations are caused by gas leaks in hoses, defective connectors, and propane leaks.
Burn Injury Negligence
Negligence in legal terms describes a failure of a person, business, or other entities to use reasonable judgment and care, and due to this, injuries are caused. Negligence can be described as action or inaction from a party which causes a hazardous situation that causes injuries and damages.
Mickey Fine will work very hard to try and prove negligence in your burn injury case as it is imperative to your case’s success. Once negligence is proven, Mickey Fine will fight to get you the compensation you need for your injuries so you can begin moving forward.
Negligence is different in all burn injury cases and always depends on the specifics of your case. If you have additional questions about how negligence works and burn injury cases, call Mickey Fine right away so he can sit down with you and help you understand your case.
Call Bakersfield Burn Injury Attorney Mickey Fine Now
At the Law Offices of Mickey Fine, we have over two decades of experience in helping victims of these serious injuries get compensation for all of their damages. We will work with you on an individual basis to determine how your burn injury will impact every area of your life and fight tooth and nail to ensure you are provided with the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has sustained a burn injury in an accident, please contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine to schedule a free consultation with our Bakersfield burn injury attorney today.
Law Offices of Mickey Fine – Bakersfield Office 930 Truxtun Ave, Suite 110 Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 333-3333
How do I file a burn injury claim in Bakersfield, CA?
If you believe that your burn injury was caused by the negligence of another party, the best thing you can do for yourself is to contact an experienced Bakersfield burn injury lawyer like Mickey Fine. Mickey has years of experience dealing with burn injury cases and will do everything that he can to recover the compensation that you deserve. Mickey will collect evidence, establish a guilty party and ensure that you are treated fairly in your case.
Who will pay my compensation for a burn injury?
In most burn injury cases, the negligent party’s insurance company is responsible for paying damages to the injured party. Whether your burn injury was caused by a defective product or a car accident, the insurance company that covers the negligent party will cover your compensation.
How much compensation am I entitled to for my burn injuries?
As a burn injury victim, you may be entitled to various damages based on the circumstances of your accident. You may receive economic damages and damages for non-financial hardships know as punitive damages. Some damages you may be able to be compensated for include the following:
Ambulance rides
Hospital bills
Medical devices and assistance
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of income
Pain and suffering
Physical therapy
Loss of earnings potential
Surgical costs
How long will my burn injury claim take to resolve?
There is no way to tell how long a burn injury case may take as each case we deal with is very different. The length of a case is determined by a number of different factors including the collection of evidence, negotiations, and litigation if the case goes to trial. The key for any victim is to try and remain patient throughout the process and know that Mickey Fine is doing all that he can to recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Should I accept an insurance settlement for my burn injury?
It should be noted that the insurance companies are almost never on your side. Due to this, they will never come to you with an offer that is adequate for your injuries. It is important that you speak to Mickey Fine about the specifics of your accident before accepting any insurance settlements. Mickey will be able to speak with you and find out the true value of your case because he has experience dealing with the unfair deal insurance companies offer injury victims.
