Burn Injuries Are Incredibly Painful and Can Cause Serious Disfigurement
Burn injuries are some of the most severe, painful, and potentially life-altering injuries. The nature of burns leads to constant pain, lengthy medical care, and a heightened risk of complications from infection. Cases involving burn injuries can involve various mechanisms of injury, including a faulty gas or propane line, a faulty part or installation for an oven, or even hazardous electrical fixtures. It is important to work with an attorney who understands the appropriate course of legal action and what to do to prove the case. Members of Goodnow|McKay are experienced with these claims and are here to help. We are committed to helping our clients recover fair compensation. We are often able to negotiate reasonable settlements with the responsible insurance companies, but we are willing to fight for our clients through trial if necessary.
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Common Types of Legal Claims and Recovery for Burn Injuries
Burn cases are generally pursued under a theory of general negligence. This theory may vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. This claim potentially will outline damages for incident-related medical expenses, emotional suffering, and wage loss. Depending on how the injury occurred, there are different forms of recovery. For example, burns sustained in an automobile crash will have various types of car insurance as the primary method of recovery. If the burn is related to a faulty gas line or an electrical hazard the primary method of recovery may be homeowners’, renters’, or a general liability insurance policy.
National Statistics Regarding Burn Injuries
The American Burn Association outlined the following statistics for 2011:
- Approximately 486,000 burn-related injuries necessitated medical treatment.
- 40,000 people required hospitalization for the burn related injuries.
- 3,275 deaths from fire/smoke inhalation.
- 73% of burn-related injuries occurred at home.
- Fire caused 43% of burn-related injuries, 34% were caused by scalding, and 4% occurred because of electrical issues.
