If you need help seeking compensation for a burn injury that was due to someone else’s negligence, call Christopher Trainor & Associates. We offer free consultations to help you determine the best path forward.
Every year, over two million individuals in the United States endure burn injuries, with the home serving as a primary setting for such injuries. While the kitchen and bathroom are common locations, it's startling that most burn-related fatalities occur in the bedroom. Workplace settings also pose risks, particularly for workers engaged in occupations like firefighting or factory work, contributing to higher mortality rates from burn injuries among men.
Among children, burn injuries rank as the third leading cause of accidental death after motor vehicle accidents and drowning, with boys under 10 years old being particularly vulnerable. Scalds from hot liquids and burns from stove flames represent frequent sources of injuries among young children.
Thermal burns result when skin tissue encounters flame, radiant heat, or hot liquids. While minor burns, categorized as first-degree burns, are typically non-life-threatening, extensive second-degree burns or more severe third and fourth-degree burns involving muscles and organs necessitate immediate medical attention to prevent systemic damage.
Recovering from severe thermal burns involves comprehensive treatment beyond wound care, including specialized dietary needs and effective pain management. Certain demographics, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, face heightened risks of complications and mortality from severe burn injuries, ranging from infections to gastrointestinal, neurological, or musculoskeletal issues, often requiring prolonged hospitalization.
Tragically, survivors of severe burn injuries often contend with physical disfigurement, chronic pain from scarring, and psychiatric challenges, necessitating long-term emotional and physical therapy.
If you or someone you know has suffered burn injuries due to an accident or a defective product, seeking guidance from a seasoned Michigan injury lawyer is essential to securing the maximum level of justice and compensation.
At the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor, we understand the profound impact burn injuries can have on your life. Our dedicated team is committed to seeking fair compensation for all the losses you've endured. With the support of an experienced Sterling Heights burn injury lawyer from our firm, you can assert your rights and hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.
The Leading Causes of Serious Burn Injuries
Serious burn injuries can result from various causes, including:
Fire Accidents: Fires in homes, workplaces, or public places can lead to severe burns. Common causes include electrical malfunctions, cooking mishaps, arson, or accidents involving flammable materials.
Scalding: Hot liquids or steam can cause scald burns, often occurring in kitchen accidents, spills, or accidents involving hot beverages or cooking fluids.
Chemical Burns: Exposure to corrosive chemicals or substances can result in chemical burns, commonly occurring in industrial settings, laboratories, or due to household chemical accidents.
Electrical Burns: Contact with live electrical currents or faulty electrical equipment can cause electrical burns, often resulting from workplace accidents, faulty wiring, or accidents involving electrical appliances.
Explosions: Explosions from gas leaks, industrial accidents, fireworks, or other sources can cause burn injuries due to flames, heat, or blast pressure.
Contact with Hot Objects: Direct contact with hot objects such as stoves, irons, heaters, or heated surfaces can lead to thermal burns.
Radiation Burns: Exposure to radiation sources, such as X-rays, radiation therapy, or nuclear accidents, can cause radiation burns.
Friction Burns: Skin friction against rough surfaces, pavement, or moving objects can result in friction burns, commonly seen in motorcycle accidents or incidents involving sports injuries.
Sunburn: Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun without adequate protection can cause sunburn, leading to varying degrees of skin damage.
Inhalation Injuries: Breathing in hot gases, smoke, or toxic fumes during fires can cause internal burns to the respiratory tract, leading to inhalation injuries.
Understanding the leading causes of serious burn injuries can help individuals and communities take preventive measures to reduce the risk of such accidents and promote safety in various environments.
Types of Burn Injury Lawsuits
Burn injury lawsuits can encompass various types of legal claims depending on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Some common types of burn injury lawsuits include:
Negligence: These lawsuits allege that another party's negligence led to the burn injury. Examples include cases where a property owner fails to maintain safe premises, a manufacturer produces a defective product that causes burns, or a driver's reckless actions lead to a car accident resulting in burn injuries.
Product Liability: Product liability lawsuits focus on holding manufacturers, distributors, or sellers accountable for defective products that cause burn injuries. This could include faulty appliances, flammable clothing, or defective chemicals.
Premises Liability: Premises liability lawsuits involve injuries sustained on someone else's property due to the property owner's negligence. For example, a burn injury caused by a malfunctioning heating system or inadequate safety measures in a public building may lead to a premises liability claim.
Workplace Accidents: If a burn injury occurs in the workplace, the injured party may pursue a Michigan workers' compensation claim to cover medical expenses and lost wages. In some cases, if a third party's negligence, such as a defective product, contributed to the injury, the injured worker may also pursue a separate personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
Medical Malpractice: Burn injuries resulting from medical procedures, such as surgical errors, improper use of medical devices, or negligent care during treatment, may lead to medical malpractice lawsuits against healthcare providers or facilities.
Intentional Torts: In cases where someone intentionally causes harm resulting in burn injuries, such as assault or arson, the injured party may pursue a civil lawsuit for intentional torts seeking compensation for damages.
Each type of burn injury lawsuit involves unique legal considerations, evidence requirements, and potential damages. Consulting with an experienced Sterling Heights burn injury lawyer with decades of prior experience in handling burn injury cases can help individuals understand their legal options and pursue appropriate compensation for their injuries.
Types of Damages Available in Sterling Heights Burn Injury Claims
In Sterling Heights burn injury claims, various types of damages may be available to compensate the injured party for their losses. These damages can include:
Medical Expenses: Compensation for past, current, and future medical costs related to treating the burn injury, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, therapy, and assistive devices.
Lost Income: Reimbursement for wages lost due to missed work during recovery from the burn injury, including lost earning capacity if the injury prevents the individual from returning to their previous occupation or limits their ability to work in the future.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, discomfort, emotional distress, and mental anguish experienced as a result of the burn injury, including the impact on the individual's quality of life and emotional well-being.
Disfigurement and Scarring: Damages for visible scarring, disfigurement, and permanent physical impairment resulting from the burn injury, which may affect the individual's self-esteem, social interactions, and psychological well-being.
Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the negative impact the burn injury has on the injured person's relationship with their spouse or family members, including loss of companionship, affection, and support.
Punitive Damages: In burn injury cases arising from willful or egregious conduct by the defendant, punitive damages could be awarded. Dissimilar from compensatory damages, which are meant to make the victim financially whole, punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar future misconduct.
Property Damage: Compensation for damage to personal property, such as clothing, belongings, or vehicles, resulting from the burn incident.
Future Expenses: Anticipated future expenses related to ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and modifications to accommodate the individual's injuries and disabilities.
These damages aim to provide financial relief to burn injury victims and help them recover physically, emotionally, and financially from the traumatic effects of their injuries. Consulting with a skilled Sterling Heights burn injury lawyer who specializes in these cases can help individuals assess their damages and pursue fair compensation through a legal claim.
Treatment for Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are typically treated based on their severity and depth. The treatment approach may include:
First Aid: Immediate first aid for minor burns involves cooling the burned area with cool water or a clean, damp cloth to reduce pain and swelling. It's important not to use ice or apply butter or ointments to the burn.
Medical Assessment: A healthcare professional will assess the burn to determine its severity and depth. Burns are categorized into varying degrees based on the layers of skin affected.
Cleaning and Dressing: The burn area is cleaned to prevent infection, and a sterile dressing may be applied to protect the wound and promote healing. In some cases, topical medications or ointments may be prescribed to prevent infection or reduce pain.
Pain Management: Pain associated with burn injuries is managed with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications, depending on the severity of the pain.
Debridement: For more severe burns, dead or damaged tissue may need to be removed through a process called debridement to prevent infection and promote healing.
Wound Care: Ongoing wound care is essential for burn healing. This may involve cleaning the wound, applying topical medications or dressings, and changing dressings regularly to prevent infection.
Fluid Replacement: In cases of severe burns, fluid replacement therapy may be necessary to prevent dehydration and maintain electrolyte balance.
Skin Grafting: For deep or extensive burns, skin grafting surgery may be performed to cover the wound with healthy skin from another part of the body. This helps promote healing and reduce scarring.
Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation may be needed to restore mobility, strength, and function to the affected area after the burn has healed. This may include exercises, stretching, and other therapeutic interventions.
Psychological Support: Burn injuries can have a significant psychological impact on individuals. Counseling or therapy may be recommended to help patients cope with the emotional and psychological effects of their injuries.
Burn injury treatment requires specialized care and may involve a multidisciplinary approach with input from healthcare professionals such as burn surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and psychologists. The goal of treatment is to promote healing, minimize complications, and improve the patient's quality of life.
The Psychological Consequences of a Serious Burn Injury
Serious burn injuries can have profound psychological consequences for individuals, often extending beyond the physical trauma. Some common psychological effects of serious burn injuries include:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Many burn injury survivors experience symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic event. The fear of re-experiencing the injury or undergoing painful treatments can contribute to anxiety and distress.
Depression and Anxiety: The physical and emotional toll of a serious burn injury can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety. Individuals may struggle with adjusting to life after the injury, grieving the loss of their pre-injury identity or abilities, and facing uncertainty about the future.
Body Image Issues: Visible scarring and disfigurement resulting from a burn injury can profoundly impact self-esteem and body image. Individuals may experience feelings of shame, embarrassment, or self-consciousness about their appearance, which can affect social interactions and relationships.
Social Withdrawal and Isolation: Burn injury survivors may withdraw from social activities and relationships due to fears of rejection or judgment from others. They may feel self-conscious about their appearance or struggle with communication and interpersonal skills, leading to social isolation and loneliness.
Anger and Irritability: Coping with the physical pain, limitations, and challenges of recovery can trigger feelings of anger, frustration, and irritability. Individuals may struggle to regulate their emotions and may lash out at loved ones or healthcare providers.
Loss of Identity: A serious burn injury can disrupt an individual's sense of identity and self-concept. They may struggle to reconcile their pre-injury identity with their altered appearance or abilities, leading to feelings of loss, confusion, and existential crisis.
Difficulty Coping with Medical Procedures: Burn injury survivors often undergo multiple surgeries, painful treatments, and rehabilitation efforts, which can be emotionally distressing and traumatic. Fear of medical procedures and discomfort during treatments can exacerbate psychological distress.
Cognitive Impairments: In some cases, severe burn injuries can result in cognitive impairments, such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and impaired executive function. These cognitive deficits can impact daily functioning and exacerbate emotional distress.
Suicidal Ideation: In severe cases, burn injury survivors may experience thoughts of suicide or self-harm as a result of overwhelming psychological distress, hopelessness, or despair. It's essential for individuals experiencing suicidal ideation to seek immediate professional help and support.
Addressing the psychological consequences of a serious burn injury often requires a comprehensive approach involving mental health counseling, support groups, medication management, and other therapeutic interventions. By addressing the psychological impact of the injury, individuals can work towards healing emotionally and improving their overall well-being.
Since the ongoing need for both medical and mental health care are often necessary after a burn injury, it is easy to see why it may be beneficial to pursue fair compensation when the burn occurs due to the negligence of another party.
Steps to Take Immediately Following a Burn Injury
Following a burn injury, taking immediate steps can significantly impact the outcome of treatment and recovery. Here's what you should do:
Assess the Situation: Evaluate the severity of the burn. If it's a minor burn, you can often treat it at home. However, if it's severe or covers a large area of the body, seek medical attention immediately.
Remove the Source: If the burn resulted from contact with a hot object or substance, remove the person from further exposure to heat or flames.
Cool the Burn: For minor burns, run cool (not cold) water over the affected area for 10-15 minutes to soothe the pain and reduce inflammation. Avoid using ice, as it can further damage the skin.
Protect the Burn: Cover the burn with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage or clean cloth to prevent infection. Do not apply butter, oil, or any other home remedies, as they can trap heat and worsen the burn.
Seek Medical Attention: If the burn is severe, deep, or covers a large area of the body, or if it's a chemical or electrical burn, seek immediate medical attention. Even seemingly minor burns can become infected if not properly treated.
Manage Pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate discomfort. Follow the dosage instructions carefully.
Monitor for Complications: Keep an eye on the burn site for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
Follow Medical Advice: If you receive medical treatment, follow your healthcare provider's instructions for wound care, medication, and follow-up appointments closely.
Document the Incident: If the burn occurred due to someone else's negligence, document the circumstances of the incident, including photos of the burn and the scene where it occurred. This information may be valuable if you pursue legal action.
Seek Legal Advice: If the burn resulted from another party's negligence, consult with a personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and options for seeking compensation for your injuries and related expenses.
Time to File a Burn Injury Claim in Sterling Heights, Michigan
In Sterling Heights, Michigan, the statute of limitations for filing a burn injury claim is generally three years from the date of the injury. However, it's essential to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident to ensure compliance with the statute of limitations and to gather evidence while it's still fresh. Missing the deadline could result in losing the right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Burn Injuries in Medical Settings
Burn injuries in medical settings can occur for various reasons, often due to negligence, errors, or accidents. Some common causes of burn injuries in medical settings include:
Surgical Errors: Improper use of surgical instruments, electrocautery devices, or lasers during surgical procedures can lead to burns.
Anesthesia Errors: Malfunctioning equipment, improper administration of anesthesia, or failure to monitor patients during surgery can result in burns.
Chemical Burns: Exposure to caustic chemicals used in medical treatments, such as during sterilization procedures or chemical peels, can cause burns if not handled correctly.
Radiation Therapy: Improperly calibrated radiation therapy equipment or errors in treatment planning can result in radiation burns to the skin and underlying tissues.
Hot Surfaces or Liquids: Patients may suffer burns from contact with hot surfaces, liquids, or equipment, such as heating pads, hot water bottles, or warming blankets.
Defective Medical Devices: Malfunctioning medical devices, such as heating pads, electric blankets, or surgical equipment, can cause burns if they overheat or malfunction during use.
Negligent Caregiver Actions: Caregivers may accidentally spill hot liquids or expose patients to hot surfaces due to negligence or lack of proper training.
Inadequate Supervision: Lack of supervision or inadequate staffing levels in medical facilities can contribute to accidents that result in burn injuries.
Burn injuries in medical settings can have severe consequences for patients, including physical pain, scarring, disfigurement, psychological trauma, and long-term complications. Victims of burn injuries caused by medical negligence may be entitled to compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. It's essential for individuals who have suffered burn injuries in medical settings to seek legal advice from a qualified Sterling Heights burn injury lawyer to understand their rights and options for pursuing a claim.
Schedule a Free Legal Consultation
If you endured serious burn injuries due to another party's negligence, our adept team of Sterling Heights burn injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates stands ready to support you.
Our attorneys work on contingency, which means you will never be asked to pay a retainer upfront for us to begin work on your case. We will only require payment if we are able to secure a settlement or favorable verdict for your case, and your legal fees will be a percentage of your payout.
We'll skillfully manage the intricacies of your case, from pinpointing liable parties to advocating for a settlement that fairly addresses your damages. Connect with us today by calling (248) 886-8650 or filling out our online contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation.
