Getting medical treatment for burns can devastate a family’s finances. In addition, burn injury survivors often experience psychological trauma that can have long-term consequences for their physical health and overall well-being. It’s a tragic situation made even more painful when someone else caused the injuries.
Arizona law allows accident victims to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim when another party is to blame for their injuries. A successful claim can provide valuable financial resources to account for your losses if you’re hurt.
Talk to a Peoria burn injury lawyer at the law firm of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. today. Our law firm is comprised of accomplished Peoria personal injury attorneys committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our top-rated legal team will work to secure results to restore your financial security and rebuild your life. You’ll never feel alone with us on your side.
Come tell us your story and learn how we can help. Call or contact us today for an initial case review. There’s no obligation.
Table of Contents
- What Are Some Common Causes of Burn Injuries?
- What Is the Severity of Your Burn Injury?
- What Are Common Types of Burn Injury Claims?
- Who Can Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury in Arizona?
- What Kind of Compensation Can You Seek for a Burn Injury?
- What Steps Should You Take After Your Burn Injury?
- When Should You Consult a Peoria Burn Injury Accident Lawyer?
What Are Some Common Causes of Burn Injuries?
Accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. The same is true for burn injuries. The most common causes of burn injuries include:
- Auto accidents
- Household fires and open flames
- Explosions
- Workplace fires
- Electrocution
- Chemical exposure
- Scalding from hot objects and surfaces
- Steam
- Hot liquids
- Radiation
- Smoke and fume inhalation
- Friction with a hard surface
- Fireworks
What Is the Severity of Your Burn Injury?
The type of medical care you’ll need after a burn injury depends on its severity. Doctors categorize burns based on how much damage they cause to the skin and underlying tissues.
First-degree burns involve only the outer layer of skin. These are the least severe burn injuries. Common causes of first-degree burns include sunburn and brief exposure to hot surfaces. In a first-degree burn injury, the skin may be red, warm, and painful to the touch. The affected area might form blisters, but the body will typically heal these injuries with minimal or no medical intervention.
Second-degree burns go deeper and damage the middle layer of skin tissue. These injuries often form significant blisters and can be extremely painful, especially when they cover a large area. With second-degree burns, medical personnel will clean the area and bandage it so that it can heal. Victims may also need antibiotics to prevent infection.
Third-degree burns are life-threatening. These burns can penetrate all layers of the skin and deeper into muscles and bone. Unlike lesser burns, third-degree burns may actually be less painful because they destroy pain-sensing nerves. Treatment usually involves extensive surgery, skin grafts, and other procedures to help the healing process. You may also need powerful antibiotics when you receive a third-degree burn because of the possibility of deadly infections, such as sepsis.
What Are Common Types of Burn Injury Claims?
Burn injury claims arise from a variety of incidents. Your ability to bring a valid legal claim depends on whether another party’s negligence caused your injuries. Some of the most common burn injury claims stem from incidents involving:
- Defective products
- Home and apartment fires
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Exposure to hazardous materials at work
- Industrial accidents
- Construction accidents
- Inadequate fire prevention and safety measures
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury in Arizona?
Before collecting compensation for a burn injury in Arizona, you must identify who can be held liable for the accident. An experienced burn injury lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation of your case to determine all potentially liable parties.
The facts of your case will dictate who can be held liable. Examples of possible defendants include:
- Landlords and property managers
- Employers
- Product manufacturers
- Drivers
- Business owners
- Hotel and club operators
- Electricians
What Kind of Compensation Can You Seek for a Burn Injury?
Arizona allows burn injury victims to pursue a range of compensation for their injuries, such as:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Depending on your case, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages after a burn injury. These damages may be available when you’re hurt by someone who acted with ill will or knew that they were likely to harm someone. To understand whether punitive damages may be available to you, talk with an experienced burn injury attorney today.
What Steps Should You Take After Your Burn Injury?
You can take steps to protect your health and your right to seek compensation if your burn injuries are due to someone else’s negligence. Once you’ve gotten medical care for
your injury:
- Talk with a Peoria burn injury attorney.
- Document your injuries with photos.
- Preserve clothing or materials you have from the accident.
- Keep copies of any medical reports or treatment records.
- Get the contact information for any witnesses.
- Follow through on any medical treatment.
- Stay off social media and don’t discuss your injuries or accident with others.
When Should You Consult a Peoria Burn Injury Accident Lawyer?
Contact a Peoria burn injury accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. By acting quickly, you can maximize the amount of time your attorney will have to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a persuasive case on your behalf.
Put the law firm of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. to work for you today. Our talented team will give you the care, attention, and professional service you deserve.
It’s easy to learn more about how we can help. Call or contact us online now for an initial case review.