If you’ve been badly burned and you believe someone else’s negligence was the cause, you may have a personal injury case. You could be entitled to significant compensation. Call us now for a free consultation.
At the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates, our skilled Lansing, MI, burn injury lawyers have extensive expertise in advocating for individuals who have endured severe burns due to the negligence of others. For decades, we have diligently served clients across Michigan who have faced the aftermath of burn accidents or grappled with the devastating loss of a loved one.
Whether you've suffered burns in a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other vehicular incident, be it as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, we deeply empathize with your situation. We understand that the pain you're experiencing is among the most excruciating that anyone can endure.
We also understand the incapacitating nature of burn injuries, their slow healing process, and the potential for severe scarring, disfigurement, emotional distress, and long-term disability. Our lawyers believe in bringing those responsible for your injury to account and ensuring you receive maximum compensation under the law. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
Car Accidents Leading to Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can happen in many ways. Car accidents are one of the most common. They can lead to burn injuries in several ways:
Fire and Explosion: One of the most common scenarios in which car accidents result in burn injuries is when a vehicle catches fire or explodes upon impact. This can occur due to factors such as fuel leaks, ruptured gas tanks, electrical malfunctions, or ignition of flammable materials within the vehicle.
Contact with Hot Surfaces: In a car accident, individuals may come into contact with hot surfaces, such as engine components, exhaust pipes, or deploying airbags. This contact can cause contact burns, particularly if the individual is trapped inside the vehicle or ejected from the vehicle during the collision.
Chemical Burns: Car accidents involving hazardous materials, such as chemical spills or exposure to corrosive substances, can result in chemical burns. These burns may occur if the vehicle collides with a tanker truck carrying corrosive chemicals or if hazardous materials are released from cargo compartments during the crash.
Electrical Burns: Car accidents involving downed power lines, damaged electrical components, or exposed wiring can lead to electrical burns. Contact with live electrical currents can cause severe burns and electrocution, particularly if the accident involves a vehicle colliding with utility poles or electrical infrastructure.
Airbag Deployment: While airbags are designed to protect occupants during a crash, their deployment can sometimes cause friction burns or chemical burns due to the heat generated by the airbag's inflation process or the release of chemicals from the airbag's inflator.
Heat from Engine Fires: In some car accidents, the force of the impact or mechanical failure may cause the vehicle's engine to catch fire. Individuals inside or near the vehicle may suffer burn injuries from the intense heat and flames produced by the engine fire.
Sun Exposure: Although less common, car accidents in hot climates or during sunny weather can lead to sunburns or heat-related injuries if individuals are exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period following the crash, especially if they are trapped inside the vehicle awaiting rescue.
Victims of car accidents involving burn injuries may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages through a personal injury claim against the at-fault party or their insurance provider.
Other Types of Accidents Leading to Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can result from numerous other types of accidents, such as:
Fires: Fires are a common cause of burn injuries and can occur in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. They may be caused by factors such as faulty wiring, flammable materials, cooking accidents, arson, or natural disasters like wildfires.
Scalding: Scald injuries occur when hot liquids or steam come into contact with the skin, causing burns. These accidents frequently happen in kitchens, bathrooms, or workplaces where hot water or beverages are present.
Electrical Accidents: Contact with live electrical currents can cause severe electrical burns. These accidents may occur due to faulty wiring, exposed electrical components, electrocution, or workplace accidents involving machinery or power lines.
Chemical and HAZMAT Spills: Chemical burns result from exposure to corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, solvents, or industrial chemicals. These injuries often occur in laboratories, manufacturing facilities, tractor-trailer accidents, and household cleaning accidents.
Radiation Burns:Radiation burns can occur due to exposure to sources of ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, radioactive materials, or medical radiation therapy. Workers in nuclear facilities, medical professionals, and cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment are at risk of radiation burns.
Explosions: Explosions can cause thermal burns, blast injuries, and chemical burns due to exposure to heat, flames, and hazardous materials. These accidents may occur in industrial settings or construction sites or may be caused by gas leaks, fuel explosions, or terrorist attacks.
Contact Burns: Contact with hot surfaces, objects, or flames can cause contact burns. These injuries often occur in kitchen accidents, vehicle collisions, or workplace incidents involving heated machinery or equipment.
Friction Burns: Friction burns, also known as "road rash," result from friction between the skin and a rough surface. They commonly occur in motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, or incidents involving falls or collisions while participating in sports or recreational activities.
It is important to note that burn injuries can vary in severity, ranging from minor first-degree burns to life-threatening third-degree burns requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
How Burn Injuries Are Classified
Burn injuries are classified into one of four groups based on their severity and depth of tissue damage.
First-Degree Burns (Superficial Burns)
Superficial burns affect only the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis.
Symptoms include redness, pain, and mild swelling.
These burns typically heal within a few days without scarring.
Examples include mild sunburns or brief contact with hot surfaces.
Second-Degree Burns (Partial Thickness Burns)
Partial thickness burns extend beyond the epidermis and may involve the underlying layer of skin, the dermis.
Symptoms include blistering, severe pain, swelling, and redness.
These burns may take several weeks to heal and can result in scarring.
Second-degree burns can be further classified into superficial partial-thickness burns, which involve the upper dermis, and deep partial-thickness burns, which penetrate deeper layers of the dermis.
Third-Degree Burns (Full Thickness Burns)
Full-thickness burns extend through the entire thickness of the skin and may damage underlying tissues, such as muscles, tendons, or bones.
Symptoms include charred or white skin, numbness due to nerve damage, and a leathery texture.
Third-degree burns often require surgical intervention, such as skin grafting, and may result in permanent scarring and loss of function.
Due to nerve damage, third-degree burns may initially be less painful than shallower burns.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns extend beyond the skin to affect deeper tissues, such as muscles, blood vessels, or organs.
These burns are extremely severe and life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention and extensive treatment.
Fourth-degree burns often result in significant disability, disfigurement, long-term complications, and even death.
In addition to the depth of tissue damage, burn injuries can also be classified based on the extent of the body surface area affected. This is typically expressed as a percentage of total body surface area and helps medical professionals determine the severity of the burns and guide treatment decisions.
Proper classification of burn injuries is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment plan, predicting outcomes, and assessing the potential long-term impact on the individual's health and well-being.
The Psychological Consequences of Severe Burn Injuries
Severe burn injuries can have profound psychological consequences on individuals, often extending beyond the physical trauma. Some of the psychological effects commonly associated with severe burn injuries include:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Many burn survivors experience symptoms of PTSD, such as intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event. The intense pain, fear, and sense of helplessness during the burn injury can contribute to the development of PTSD.
Depression and Anxiety: Burn survivors may struggle with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety, particularly in the aftermath of the injury. Chronic pain, disfigurement, and changes in appearance or physical abilities can exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety.
Body Image Issues: Severe burn injuries often result in significant changes to the individual's appearance, including scarring, disfigurement, and loss of limbs or function. These changes can lead to negative body image and feelings of self-consciousness, social withdrawal, and low self-esteem.
Social Isolation and Stigmatization: Burn survivors may experience social stigma or discrimination due to their visible scars or disfigurement. This can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, or rejection by others, which further exacerbate psychological distress.
Adjustment Difficulties: Adapting to life after a severe burn injury can be challenging. Individuals must navigate physical limitations, functional impairments, and changes in daily routines. Coping with these adjustments may lead to feelings of frustration, anger, or loss of control.
Relationship Strain: Severe burn injuries can strain interpersonal relationships, including family dynamics, romantic partnerships, and friendships. Changes in appearance, physical abilities, or emotional well-being may impact communication, intimacy, and support within relationships.
Survivor's Guilt: Some burn survivors may experience feelings of guilt or self-blame, especially if others were injured or killed in the same incident. Survivors may struggle with questions of "why me?" or feelings of responsibility for the accident.
Fear of Recurrence: Burn survivors may experience persistent fears or anxieties about the possibility of re-injury or re-traumatization, particularly in situations that remind them of the original traumatic event, such as exposure to fire, heat, or medical procedures.
Addressing the psychological consequences of severe burn injuries often requires comprehensive support and intervention from mental health professionals, including therapists, counselors, and support groups. Psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other evidence-based treatments can help individuals cope with trauma, manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and rebuild social connections and resilience in the aftermath of a burn injury.
Complications Can Be Caused by Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can lead to various complications, ranging from immediate medical emergencies to long-term health challenges. Some common complications associated with burn injuries include:
Infection: Burns compromise the skin's protective barrier, increasing the risk of bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Infection can occur locally at the burn site or spread systemically, leading to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Sepsis: Severe burns can trigger an overwhelming immune response, resulting in sepsis, a severe infection that can rapidly progress to septic shock and multiple organ failure if left untreated.
Hypovolemic Shock: Large burns can cause significant fluid loss and shift, leading to hypovolemic shock, a critical condition characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery to vital organs.
Respiratory Complications: Inhalation injuries, common in burn victims exposed to smoke, flames, or hot gases, can lead to airway obstruction, respiratory distress, pneumonia, or acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Scarring and Contractures: Healing from burn injuries often results in scar tissue formation, leading to hypertrophic scars, keloids, or contractures, restricting movement and function of affected joints or body parts.
Loss of Function: Severe burns involving joints, muscles, or nerves can impair mobility, dexterity, or sensory function, leading to long-term disability and reduced quality of life.
Psychological Trauma: Burn injuries can have profound psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, body image issues, social isolation, and adjustment difficulties.
Chronic Pain: Neuropathic pain, nerve damage, or tissue injury resulting from burns can lead to chronic pain syndromes, which can significantly impact daily functioning and overall well-being.
Hypothermia: Extensive burns can disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature, leading to hypothermia, especially in burn victims with large surface area injuries.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Severe burns increase metabolic demands and nutrient requirements, potentially leading to malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, or deficiencies in vitamins and minerals essential for wound healing and recovery.
Organ Dysfunction: Severe burns can affect multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, and immune systems, increasing the risk of organ dysfunction or failure.
Delayed Wound Healing: Factors such as infection, poor circulation, underlying medical conditions, or inadequate wound care can delay the healing process, prolonging recovery and increasing the risk of complications.
Burn victims need to receive prompt and comprehensive medical care to prevent or address these complications effectively. Treatment may involve wound debridement, infection control, fluid resuscitation, pain management, nutritional support, physical therapy, psychological counseling, and surgical interventions, depending on the severity and extent of the burn injuries.
Types of Burn Injury Lawsuits
Though all considered personal injury claims, there are different types of burn injury lawsuits that individuals may pursue depending on the circumstances surrounding their injuries. Some common types of burn injury lawsuits include:
Negligence Claims: These lawsuits allege that another party's negligence directly caused the burn injury. For example, if a property owner fails to maintain safe premises, leading to a fire or chemical exposure that causes burns, the injured party may file a negligence claim against the property owner.
Product Liability Claims: If a defective product, such as a malfunctioning appliance, faulty wiring, or flammable clothing, causes a burn injury, the injured party may file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the product.
Workplace Injury Claims: Employees who sustain burn injuries in the workplace may be eligible to file workers' compensation claims to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits. In some cases, if a third party, such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the workplace accident, the injured worker may pursue a separate personal injury claim against that party.
Medical Malpractice Claims: Burn injuries can occur due to medical negligence during surgery, treatment, or post-operative care. Patients who suffer burn injuries as a result of medical malpractice, such as improper use of surgical tools, negligent administration of heat therapy, or failure to monitor patients for signs of skin breakdown, may pursue medical malpractice claims against the responsible healthcare providers or facilities.
Premises Liability Claims: Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises and warn visitors of potential hazards. If a burn injury occurs on someone else's property due to unsafe conditions, such as a lack of fire alarms, inadequate escape routes, or improper storage of flammable materials, the injured party may file a premises liability claim against the property owner or manager.
Vehicle Accident Claims: Burn injuries can result from vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or other vehicles. In such cases, injured parties may pursue personal injury claims against negligent drivers, vehicle manufacturers, or other parties responsible for the accident.
Intentional Torts: In rare cases, burn injuries may result from intentional acts of violence, such as assault, arson, or domestic abuse. In these situations, the injured party may pursue civil lawsuits against the perpetrators to seek compensation for their injuries and related damages.
Different types of burn injury lawsuits may involve various legal strategies, depending on the unique circumstances of each case. Burn injury victims must consult an experienced Lansing burn injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates. We can evaluate your case, determine liability, and pursue appropriate legal remedies to obtain compensation for your injuries and other damages.
Damages Burn Injury Victims May Be Able to Claim
In addition to the typical compensatory damages available in personal injury cases, most burn injury victims are entitled to some other unique damages. These unique damages aim to address the specific physical, emotional, and financial hardships associated with burn injuries. Some examples of unique damages that a burn victim may be eligible for include:
Disfigurement and Scarring: Burn injuries often result in significant scarring and disfigurement, which can profoundly impact a person's self-esteem, quality of life, and ability to function in society. Compensation may be awarded for the physical and emotional effects of visible scarring and disfigurement.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Burn injuries can restrict a person's ability to engage in activities they once enjoyed, such as hobbies, sports, socializing, and recreational pursuits. Compensation may be available for the loss of enjoyment of life caused by the burn injury and resulting limitations.
Psychological Trauma: Burn injuries can lead to psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Damages may be awarded for the emotional distress and psychological suffering endured by the victim as a result of the burn injury and its aftermath.
Future Medical Expenses: Burn injuries often require long-term medical treatment, including surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and therapy. Victims may be entitled to compensation for anticipated future medical expenses related to ongoing care, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Loss of Earning Capacity: Severe burn injuries can prevent victims from returning to their previous employment or pursuing certain career paths, resulting in a loss of earning capacity. Compensation may be awarded for the economic impact of diminished earning potential caused by the burn injury.
Home Modifications and Assistive Devices: Burn injury victims may require modifications to their homes, such as wheelchair ramps, handrails, accessible bathrooms, and other accommodations to facilitate mobility and independence. Compensation may be available for the cost of home modifications and assistive devices needed to accommodate the victim's injuries.
Pain and Suffering: Burn injuries can cause significant physical pain and suffering, both immediately following the injury and throughout the recovery process. Compensation may be awarded for the physical discomfort, pain, and suffering endured by the victim as a result of the burn injury.
These unique damages recognize the profound and lasting impact that burn injuries can have on victims' lives beyond the tangible financial losses associated with medical bills and lost wages. Our experienced Lansing burn injury lawyers can help you pursue fair compensation for all your damages, including these unique and intangible losses.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you sustained serious burn injuries through no fault of your own, the Lansing burn injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates can help. We can guide you through the legal aspects of your claim, from determining liability for your injuries to negotiating a settlement that fairly reflects your damages. Call us today at (248) 886-8650 or via our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
