Stockton Burn Injury Lawyer

Did you suffer a burn injury? Was it due to another person’s negligent actions? If so, contact the Stockton personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw to learn about the available legal options for holding the at-fault party liable. You might be entitled to compensation for your hospitalization, rehab costs, prescription drugs, and other expenses.

Burns can be among the most painful types of injuries. Many people need emergency medical care to treat the affected parts of the body and prevent infection. Sometimes, complications arise that can result in sepsis, disability, or death. Whether you were in a car accident, residential fire, or another situation in which someone else caused your injury, you have a right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

The Stockton burn injury lawyers of OnderLaw can be your advocates during this devastating time in your life. We understand the long-term struggles of recovering after a serious burn. You need an experienced legal team on your side to pursue a case against the person responsible for your injury and hold them accountable. Call us now to learn more about how we can help you during a free initial consultation.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw ?

Traumatic accidents can cause shock, fear, and confusion. Most people don’t know what they’re supposed to do in the immediate aftermath of such an event. If you’re not thinking clearly, you likely won’t take the necessary steps to protect your rights to compensation from the negligent party.

OnderLaw has a thorough knowledge of state laws and the legal process we must follow to hold individuals and companies liable for causing injuries to others. You should leave the accident scene and seek medical treatment for your burns as soon as possible. While you’re tending to your injuries, we can handle the legal aspects of your case. You don’t have to focus on anything other than recovering.

The OnderLaw personal injury lawyers have secured over $3.5 billion in settlements for our clients in Stockton and beyond. Since 2002, we have built and maintained an excellent reputation. We are well known for our dedication to accident victims and the results we have achieved. We hold an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell and received recognition from multiple organizations, such as The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Super Lawyers.

Causes of Burn Injuries

You can encounter a range of scenarios that lead to burns. It’s almost impossible to avoid hazards that could cause injuries and fatalities. Whether you’re working, in your car, or shopping at the mall, you could sustain a burn injury caused by a careless person or company.

The most common causes of burn injuries include:

• Chemical agents, such as acids spilling on the skin
• Occupational accidents
• Fire in a commercial or residential building
• Motor vehicle crashes
• Explosions
• Electrical shock
• Radiation exposure
• Direct contact with hot steam, smoke, or liquid
• Faulty electrical components in a household appliance or another defective product

If your burn injury resulted from any of these causes or some other factor not included on the list, reach out to OnderLaw to discuss the next steps. There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury cases, so it’s critical that you begin the legal process immediately. If you wait too long, you could run out of time and lose the opportunity to hold the at-fault party liable for your injuries and financial losses.

Types and Severity of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are common injuries suffered at home and by children. A burn causes a burning sensation and damages the skin, causing the death of skin cells. Fortunately, minor burns can heal without much medical intervention. More severe burns require emergency medical care and ongoing treatment to prevent complications. In some cases, the burn injury causes internal damage, leading to the patient’s death.

Four burn levels indicate the severity of the injury and how much damage it caused. They include:

• First-degree burn – A first-degree burn causes minor damage to the skin. Doctors also refer to them as superficial burns. They typically only affect the outer layer of skin and cause pain at the injury site, minor swelling or inflammation, and redness. As the burn heals, the skin can become dry and start to peel. Most burns like this heal after seven to ten days and don’t leave any scars.
• Second-degree burn – Second-degree burns are more severe injuries than first-degree burns. The top layer of skin isn’t the only area of the body that suffers damage. Other layers of skin can become damaged as well. Soreness and redness occur at the injury site, and blisters can form. These blisters eventually burst, and scabs can develop over the wound. A change in skin pigmentation might occur, and there could be some scarring.
• Third-degree burn – A third-degree burn is one of the most severe burn injuries. Damage is extensive and can affect every layer of skin and nerves. People often think this type of burn is painful, but the nerve damage could mask the severity of the injury. Skin grafts and surgery might be necessary to heal the wounds. Severe scarring can occur.
• Fourth-degree burn – A fourth-degree burn causes more harm than a third-degree burn. It damages every layer of skin and can damage nerves, tendons, tissue, and muscles. The skin will appear white or charred, and you might see exposed muscle tissue or bone.

Severe burn injuries can lead to medical complications and possibly death. The risk of experiencing complications can depend on the severity of the burn and whether you seek adequate medical treatment. The most common complications of burns include:

• Scarring and disfigurement – Wounds that don’t heal can leave scars behind. Additionally, burn injuries covering the face, hands, feet, or large parts of the body can alter a person’s appearance, causing disfigurement.
• Low body temperature – It might seem strange, but some burns can actually cause body temperature to drop and lead to hypothermia.
• Trouble breathing – Besides suffering burns in a fire or explosion, you could also inhale smoke and develop a respiratory condition.
• Infection – If an infection develops and enters the bloodstream, it could spread throughout the body. If it reaches vital organs, they can begin shutting down and eventually result in death.
• Joint and bone problems – When scar tissue forms, it tightens and shortens the skin. This can limit mobility in the arms, legs, or other body parts.
• Blood loss – Depending on the severity of the burn, you could lose significant amounts of blood. After 30 to 40 percent blood loss, the heart beats faster, and blood pressure drops. Without an adequate supply of blood, loss of consciousness occurs, and the victim can fall into a coma.
• Psychological injuries – Even if your burns heal, you could face lifelong struggles with mental illness or emotional trauma. Many people develop depression if the injury leaves them disfigured. Others have a phobia of the situation that led to their burn. For example, you might fear driving if you were injured in a car accident.
• Edema – Swelling causes excess fluid to become trapped in tissues within the body. Depending on what area is affected, you could experience pain, limited mobility, or difficulty breathing.
• Arrhythmia – An abnormal or irregular heartbeat typically results from a burn caused by electric shock. The heart can beat faster, slower, or skip beats.

If you suffer a burn injury, the best thing you can do is go to the hospital so a physician can evaluate your condition and determine the course of treatment you require. Even if there seems to be minimal damage, you should still visit your doctor or an urgent care facility. Sometimes, the severity of the injury isn’t immediately apparent. There could be underlying problems only a qualified doctor can find.

Compensation for Burn Injuries

You might face a long road to recovery. If you need rehabilitation, skin grafting, surgery, and prescription medications, the bills you receive can cause economic strain. You could end up in debt if you can’t afford these expenses. You shouldn’t be forced to pay out of pocket if another person’s actions were entirely to blame for your burn injury.

When you file an insurance claim or lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for your losses, such as:

• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Physical impairment or disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Past and future medical expenses
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Damage to personal property
• Pain and suffering

In a lawsuit, you could also seek exemplary damages. A jury will only award this to you if you show clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with an intent to oppress you, to commit fraud, or with malice. An award of this type does not compensate you for your losses. Instead, it’s a punishment against the at-fault party for their misconduct and aims to deter similar behavior in the future.

Stockton Burn Accident Statistics

Burns cause around 180,000 fatalities each year. Although many involve fires, only 30 percent are related to flames and burn injuries, while the rest are due to smoke inhalation. Children are at a much greater risk of injury and death from burns and fire-related injuries. Approximately 500 children 14 years old and younger die every year from fires.

Occupational hazards can cause burn injuries to employees. For example, a construction worker handling flammable materials could accidentally spark a fire. In 2019, 1,700 non-fatal injuries and illnesses occurred in fires and explosions. Thermal burns resulted in 14,890 non-fatal injuries, and chemical burns and corrosion accounted for 4,040 non-fatal injuries that same year.

Seek Help from an Experienced Stockton Burn Injury Lawyer

OnderLaw takes personal injury cases on contingency. That means there are no upfront fees or costs when you hire us. We want to prevent you from taking on the financial burden of additional expenses when you’re already paying for your medical treatment. We won’t collect our legal fees unless we can recover compensation for you.

If you suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, call for a free consultation with one of our skilled and dedicated Stockton burn injury lawyers.