Burn Injury

At Redemption Law, we understand the uniquely challenging position you may find yourself in. It can feel like an uphill battle to recover meaningful compensation for your injuries while undergoing painful medical treatments.

Your Trusted ​Miami Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn injuries are among the most catastrophic and painful injuries a person can suffer, causing life-altering scarring, disfigurement, and chronic medical complications. Recovery might require skin grafts, surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation, taking months or even years. With such a long road in the recovery process, can you afford to settle for anything less than the full value of your injury claim?

We want you to know that you do not have to climb that hill alone, because we are here to help you every step of the way. Reach out to a Miami burn injury lawyer.

If someone else caused your burn injuries, contact the Miami office of Redemption Law today for a free and confidential case review. We can evaluate your case and outline your legal options for recovering the money you need to live your fullest life. We are a personal injury firm devoted to making it right.

Schedule your free consultation

Types of Burn Injuries

There are three main burn injury classifications. The category generally refers to how deep the burn penetrates the skin’s surface. If you suffered a burn injury, get help from a medical professional—especially if burns cover your face, groin, hands, and feet.
First-degree burns damage the outermost layer of skin called the epidermis

Sunburns are one of the most common causes of first-degree burns. A first-degree burn is the most superficial. However, superficial injuries should not be mistaken for minor injuries. First-degree burns can cause redness and pain.

Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and the dermis layers of skin

Second-degree burns can be extremely painful and expose nerves. Skin can appear red or blotchy and may swell or develop blisters. Second-degree burns can also potentially lead to scarring.

Third-degree burns are the most severe

The burn destroys the epidermis and dermis. Third-degree burns can penetrate muscles, bones, and tendons. The skin can take on a black or charred appearance. Third-degree burns themselves are generally not painful because the burn damages nerve endings. Pain comes from second-degree burns that tend to surround the damaged flesh.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Thermal burns

Thermal burns occur when a heat source raises the temperature of the skin to the point that its tissue becomes damaged. Flames, scalding liquids, and steam can all cause significant thermal burns.

Radiation burns

The most common cause of radiation burns is sun exposure. Sunburns are a form of radiation burn that damages the skin. Exposure to X-rays and radiation, typically in the workplace, can also lead to radiation burns.

Electrical burns

Electrical burns occur when the body comes into contact with an electrical current like an exposed wire or defective outlet.

Chemical burns

Certain chemicals can react violently with delicate soft tissues, causing significant burns. Acids, alkalis, and solvents can cause chemical burns. Industrial chemicals are not the only source of burn-causing agents. Household products like ammonia, bleach, pool chemicals, and gasoline can damage the skin.

Main Incidents Behind Burn Injuries

For many, the word burn immediately conjures the word fire. However, there are many different types of burns, which doctors classify by their cause.

Common incidents that contribute to significant burn injuries tend to include:

If a careless individual caused your burn injury, they might owe you compensation for your financial losses. A seasoned attorney can review your situation and determine who may be liable for your burn injury.

Burn Injury Treatments

The size and location of the burn dictate the type of treatments that may be most effective. Minor burn treatments can include topical ointments, clean dressings, and keeping the patient hydrated. However, severe burns can require extensive medical intervention at specialized burn treatment centers. Burns to the face, throat, and chest can compromise a person’s airway. It may be necessary to insert a tube to help a patient breathe and keep the lungs supplied with oxygen. These burns can also limit a person’s ability to eat and drink, meaning a feeding tube may be necessary. One potential side effect of burns is eschar, the dead or dying tissue that sheds from healthy skin. When eschar surrounds a limb, it can cut off blood flow and circulation. Physicians may need to cut into the eschar to relieve the pressure and reestablish blood flow. If not caught and managed in time, eschar can eventually kill the limb and require amputation.

Severe burn injuries often necessitate skin grafts. A skin graft is a surgical procedure where surgeons remove sections of a person’s healthy skin and relocate them to the burn site. These grafts can cover large wounds or replace scar tissue. Skin grafts can also come from donor or pig skin. While over-the-counter pain relievers can help treat minor burns, severe burns may require prescription pain medication and morphine. Physicians may also use antibiotics to help prevent infections. Burned and damaged skin is at an increased risk of developing life-threatening infections. After initial treatment, most patients need follow-up care like physical or rehabilitation therapy. Burn scars can significantly impair the range of motion and limit mobility and flexibility. Rehabilitation services can help an individual re-learn how to complete everyday tasks. Physical therapy can help restore some mobility to affected limbs. Care providers tailor rehabilitation and physical therapy programs to the burn victim’s individual and unique needs to improve the overall quality of life. Finally, burn victims often benefit from mental health treatment. Burns can lead to scarring and disfigurement, causing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Mental health services can help an individual manage the overwhelming and complex emotions that often accompany burn injuries and recovery.

Burn Injury Complications

Burn injuries can cause life-long complications, mentally and physically. Significant burns can cause scarring, disfigurement, amputation, loss of mobility, and recurrent infections. These medical complications can affect a person long after their physical recovery. While skin grafts and burn garments can help flatten and improve the appearance of scar tissue and rigid overgrowths called keloids, some scarring will remain. Some of the most common complications that persist tend to include:

  • Scarring
  • Disfigurement
  • Keloids
  • Tightening of the skin
  • Loss of mobility
  • Loss of sensation
  • Long-term breathing problems from lung damage or smoke inhalation
  • Sepsis and other infections
  • Fluid loss

Mental health complications like nightmares, insomnia, and anxiety are also common. Patients should seek help from a mental health professional.

Compensation for Burn Injury Accidents

If another party’s careless or deliberately harmful actions caused your injuries, they may owe you compensation. The value of your claim depends on several factors. However, in general, you can demand money for the following losses:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering

Holding the liable party accountable and pursuing the money you deserve can be difficult after a life-altering accident. Can you trust them or their insurer to put a fair price on your losses? An experienced attorney can help you force them to do the right thing. At Redemption Law, our legal team can thoroughly review your situation and calculate the fair value of your claim. We can then build a compelling case and aggressively negotiate for the money you need. If an insurer does not work with you in good faith, we can take your case to court. Our team stands ready to do everything we can to make things right.

FAQs

A burn injury can change your life. Do not attempt to seek compensation for your injuries alone. You deserve the help that an experienced Miami personal injury attorney can provide. Unfortunately, those at fault for your injuries might try to deny their liability, and their insurers are likely more concerned with their bottom line than they are with your recovery. Their focus is to resolve accident claims as quickly and cheaply as possible. Be wary of the insurance company’s initial offer. A Miami burn injury attorney can advocate for you, building a compelling claim and aggressively negotiating for the money you need. While you could attempt to navigate a burn injury claim alone, having an attorney on your side increases your chances of recovering maximum compensation. Working with an attorney means you do not have to manage a potentially complicated and time-consuming claim. Instead, you can focus on getting treatment for your injuries and rebuilding your life.

It can be difficult to think clearly following an accident. However, the actions you take immediately after suffering a burn injury can make all the difference in your case:

  • Contact the authorities and report the accident.
  • Seek medical attention immediately.
  • If possible, gather evidence at the scene, like photographs and videos.
  • Exchange information with the other people at the scene.
  • Gather witness contact information.
  • Keep copies of your medical bills, repair receipts, and out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Stay off social media and do not post about the accident.
  • Keep all follow-up medical appointments and stick to your physician’s treatment plan.
  • Try keeping a pain journal documenting the recovery process.

These measures can protect your rights and strengthen your compensation claim. At Redemption Law, we understand how overwhelming an accident can be for you and your family. If you missed any of these steps, our team can help. We know how to investigate the cause of the accident and gather evidence vital to your claim. We can also guide you through the claim process and fight the insurance company for the money you deserve.

Unfortunately, sometimes it takes intervention in the form of a personal injury lawsuit to recover a burn victim the money they deserve. Florida, like other states, limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit, giving you four years from the date of the accident. If you file outside of this window, the defendant can move to have the case dismissed as untimely, which the court will likely agree to do. Beyond this statutory deadline, there are other practical reasons to speak with an attorney as soon as you can. The strength of your case relies on the quality of your evidence, which can go missing without a lawyer to preserve it.

Redemption Law is a one-of-a-kind personal injury firm dedicated to helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve in a supportive and compassionate environment. Attorney Christopher D. Alas founded the firm with the goal of providing the utmost care and professionalism to people who need it the most. If you choose to work with us, we will always treat you with the respect you deserve as we work hard on your behalf. We will start by thoroughly investigating the incident that injured you. We can secure valuable evidence, work with experts to establish the extent of your losses and the compensation you can claim, and aggressively negotiate with the liable parties. We will not hesitate to take them to court if they refuse to offer you the fair settlement you deserve. And you can expect support, guidance, and compassion throughout the process. As our founding partner Christopher D. Alas says, “we are devoted to making it right.”

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A burn accident can cause traumatic injuries and life-long complications. Dealing with these losses is hard enough without an insurance company trying to get you to accept pennies on the dollar for your claim.
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