You can suffer burns almost anywhere: in a severe traffic accident, at home, at work, or merely out in public. There are a vast range of causes and types of burns. If a landlord, employer, or another person is responsible for your injuries, a Marlborough burn injury lawyer could fight to get you the compensation you need from the liable party. Experienced catastrophic injury attorneys can fight on your behalf and help you hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions.
Types of Burns
Burn injuries can be as minor as a tiny drop of oil splashing from a pan that causes a red spot and a little pain. These minor injuries are categorized as first-degree and usually do not require medical attention other than some soothing burn ointment. Some burns are more serious, requiring immediate and perhaps ongoing medical care. These are categorized as second and third-degree burns. If someone else is responsible for the damage, a Marlborough attorney with experience handling burn injury cases can help determine appropriate compensation based on the severity of the burn. If a burn is severe, a victim should take photographs that may be used as future evidence.
Second Degree Burns
The skin is an organ composed of layers, and second-degree burns penetrate through the top layer into the dermis of the skin. These burns may be caused by the same sources as first-degree burns, only in a more severe way. For example, instead of a tiny drop of hot oil splashing from a pan, a greater quantity of hot oil spilled on someone’s hand could result in a second-degree burn. It may be very painful and blister. Medical attention may be necessary, as these burns sometimes become infected.
Third Degree Burns
Third-degree burns penetrate all layers of skin and often below to tissues, muscles, and bones. The victim may not have any pain if nerves are severely burned, but immediate medical treatment is crucial. Victims may experience a long and expensive recovery time, and they may be left with permanent scars, the need for skin grafts, or antibiotic regimens if the skin burns away. A victim of third-degree burn injuries may be emotionally devastated as well. A Marlborough attorney knowledgeable in negligence law can factor future noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering, into the monetary damages sought for a severe burn.
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Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries occur whenever human skin is breached by something hot or caustic. About 73 percent of burn injuries occur in the home, usually in the kitchen. Other sources of burn injuries include:
- Faulty electric wiring
- Automobile accidents
- Lack of fire safety equipment mandated by federal, state, and local laws
- Negligence in maintaining public spaces with locked fire exits
- Defective products
Cases with More Than One Defendant
Sometimes it is easy to determine who caused the burn injuries. However, more than one party may have had a duty to act responsibly but does not, resulting in burns. For instance, if a child in a daycare facility climbs into a bathtub filled with scalding water and is severely burned, an attorney may look to both the child’s caregiver and the water heater manufacturer to pay damages for the accident. If a poorly-trained employee who is wearing substandard protective gear is burned in an accident, an attorney could seek compensation from the employer and the manufacturer of the protective gear.
A person burned in an accident has two years to file a lawsuit, although there are some cases where it must be filed in as a little as 90 days. A Marlborough burn injury attorney should be consulted as soon as possible after the accident so evidence such as medical records, photos, police and fire department reports, and witness statements can be preserved.
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A Marlborough Burn Injury Attorney is Available to Help
A second- or third-degree burn injury can be excruciating and permanently disfiguring. Your focus should be on getting better without having to think about how you will pay your bills. A Marlborough burn injury lawyer could help gather the necessary evidence and navigate the claims process to get you relief. Call for your complimentary consultation.
