Burn injuries can affect your physical and psychological well-being and often result in various medical costs and life-changing consequences. In any of the cases, if you get burned due to someone else's actions, you need to hire Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer.
Burn injuries can occur in different situations - at home, at work, in a car accident, or because of a defective product. Burn injuries are not usually limited to fire and flames; harsh chemicals or medications wrongly prescribed can also cause burn injuries.
Victims of burn injuries require immediate care and, in many cases, require special long-term care. Burn injuries have a high risk of infection because damaged skin tissues cannot protect against bacteria and germs and often release harmful toxins.
Medical treatment may be extensive, requiring a prolonged hospital stay, multiple surgeries, and consistent rehabilitation. The cost can be huge, affecting both the victim and their loved ones.
Burn Injury Statistics
Burn injuries can occur in almost any type of accident or a place of heat, chemicals, or fire. The following statistics provide further insight into the real impact possible burn injuries can have:
Children mostly get a burn because of scalding hot food or water. This scalding of children burns occurs 200,000 times a year.
Each year, 250,000 children need treatment for burns, 15,000 get hospitalized, and 1,100 die.
Of the 3,400 people who die each year in the U.S., 2,550 die due to house fires, 300 in car accidents, and the last 550 from other causes.
Caring for the injured people requires high expenses. Deadly burns resulting from fires cost $ 3 billion for medical treatment.
Men appear to be more likely to burn and make up 64 percent, or $ 4.8 billion, of medically treated burns. By contrast, women account for 36 percent, or $ 2.7 billion.
Causes of burn injury
Fires can occur in various situations and casualties. The injured have the right to seek damages for the medical expenses incurred and the resulting physical and psychological suffering. Other common occurrences where burn injuries may happen to include:
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The apartment building catching fire
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Injuries at the workplace
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Truck accidents and tank explosions
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Car accidents
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Power cord fires
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Defective products
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Locked fire exits
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Scalding water and pipes
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Electrical fires
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Recreation fire
Industrial accidents
Industrial workers are often at greater risk of burn injuries because they usually deal with hazardous chemicals and machinery. Ageing facilities and inadequate safety policies may increase the risk of burn injuries.
The workers’ compensation laws generally protect workers working in chemical refineries, construction sites, or factories. Such laws ensure that medical expenses and lost wages are reimbursed during an accident.
However, employees may be entitled to additional compensation if the court finds that the employer has failed to protect the employee from serious injury. Extensive safety measures should be practised to ensure that workers are not exposed to the worst industrial accidents.
If you have received a burn injury or are in the middle of an industrial fire, it is crucial to seek medical help immediately. Once you have received medical aid, the next step recommended is to call your personal injury attorney.
Types of burn injuries eligible for lawsuits
No matter how bad it is, an experienced lawyer can ensure you get enough compensation to heal your wounds. A certified personal injury lawyer will help you determine who is to blame for the injury and initiate a claim against the negligent person.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are the most severe form of burn injuries and may require extensive surgery and care procedures in the coming months. The third burn occurs when all the layers of the skin—the outer epidermis, the middle dermis, and the deep hypodermis - appear peeled off and have deep scars.
Third-degree burns can also cause severe damage to blood vessels, nerves, and muscles, leading to more serious injuries and requiring additional medical attention. If these burns do not get proper treatment, the risk of infection increases dramatically.
A third-degree burner is more likely to have swollen, dark skin that eventually turns brown on the face. The nerve endings can be dull or numb, leading to loss of muscle function. The following causes of third-degree burns include
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Scalding liquid
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Exposure to hot objects
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Fires and explosions
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Chemical collisions
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Electrical accidents
Victims of burn injuries should seek immediate medical attention and do all they can to stop the burning process. Immerse the area in cold water and treat the wound with chemicals designed to reduce infection. A medical professional will stabilize the victim and determine the best course for healing.
Scalding burns
Scalding Burns usually occur after the victim has come in contact with hot fluids. Often, these liquids are overheated, leading to avoidable fire accidents. Every year, thousands of people are treated for burns, and care goes from being hospitalized to outpatient treatment.
In these cases, almost negligence is the cause of the accident. Children, the elderly, and the infirm are at greater risk for burnout.
The size of the burn will depend on how long the victim was in contact with the burning fluid. In the event of contact, the victim should immediately immerse the affected area in cold water to relieve pain and prevent burns. It is recommended that you avoid driving or using heavy equipment when handling or drinking a hot liquid.
Personal injury lawyers also handle scarring and disfigurement claims
Frequent burn injuries lead to scars and, in some cases, disfigurement. These traumatic accidents often require major reconstructive surgery, and many victims will never fully appear as they once did.
White skin, deformed edges or facial features, keloid scars, and contractions are some of the most common cases after severe burn injuries.
While skin grafting may be medically necessary to promote the growth of new healthy skin, it may also contribute to the appearance of a patient's disfigured. These scars and disabilities often lead to psychological distress and barriers.
The medical care required to reduce scars and bruises is usually cosmetic, and usually, insurance does not cover it. However, a burn injury lawyer will help you get medical compensation for any cosmetic procedures taken after a burn injury.
Damages resulting from burn injuries
Victims of burn injuries often experience many problems affecting their daily lives. Burn injury is the worst Dallas personal injury, from expensive medical care to lost money. The victim may seek damages for:
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Medical bills
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional stress
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Wrongful death
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Cosmetic procedures
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Psychotherapy
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Plastic surgery
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Long-Term Care
What to do after a burn injury accident?
If you or someone you know has been burned as a result of an accident, follow these steps:
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Call 911 for emergency medical care.
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If the place of the accident is unsafe, get help to leave it.
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Others must leave the place. For example, if you experience a power outage, phone to warn others if you can.
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Get medical help even if you are doubtful of the seriousness of your injury. It is important to note that health care is accepted immediately.
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Contact a specialist personal injury lawyer in burn injuries.
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Request medical records for any care received, including instructions, follow-up, and mental health visits. Keep everything neatly documented in your medical file. Keep all your receipts and telephone records at your doctor's office.
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Keep pictures of your brand and ensure time and date stamps. Make some copies and keep them with your medical documents. Continue to maintain a good record as your burns cool down, especially if there is red tissue.
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Keep a journal and record your pain levels, mood, and how the injury has affected your health.
Conclusion
Burning injuries can result in severe deformities and disfigurement that cause a person to be dependent and helpless. If you or your loved one has suffered severe burn injuries, you may be entitled to apply for injury claims. In this case, it is crucial to ask for legal advice from a professional lawyer in a personal injury company for appropriate compensation.
The outcome of a case is difficult to predict, as each case is unique. There are several issues involved in the case, and it can be a real challenge to resolve these. Factors such as the place of case filing can affect the judges and jury who would hear the case.
These challenges become an invariable part of the case and the legal processes involved. Given the challenges, it is wise to hire experienced Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers from a personal injury law firm who can help you gain compensation for your injuries.
