Denver Burn Injury Lawyer
While we all suffer a minor burn at some point in our life that goes away within a couple days, serious burn injuries cause tremendous pain and can require complex treatment and surgeries. According to the American Burn Association, 486,000 people across the country suffered significant burns that required medical treatment, and 40,000 people were hospitalized for burn injuries.
Some burns are purely accidental, but when a burn that could have been prevented with proper safety measures injures a person, they may be able to file a claim with a seasoned catastrophic injury lawyer against the responsible parties. A Denver burn injury lawyer can help a burn injury victim recover proper compensation whether they were burned in their house or apartment, at work, or in any other situation.
Types of Burn Injuries
Burns occur when some form of heat, chemical, electricity, or nuclear radiation damages the tissue of the body, or even from exposure to sunlight. Steam and water from hot pipes are particularly common sources of severe burn injuries in Denver.
However, it can be important for both medical and legal purposes to understand the differences between first, second, third, and fourth-degree burns, as well as what is good for treating and recovering from them. Burn injuries are rated in degrees depending on the severity of the burn and are broken down as follows:
- First-degree burns – which affect the upper layer or skin and often leave the skin appearing red. These burns generally do not require significant medical treatment.
- Second-degree burns – which extend into the second layer of skin known as the dermis. These burns appear red and are often accompanied by blisters, and second-degree burn injury victims are more likely to need medical treatment for these types of burns.
- Third-degree burns – these burns are sometimes referred to as full thickness burns because they destroy the upper and middle layers of skin and can extend into the much deeper subcutaneous tissue. These burns require prompt medical care and treatment.
- Fourth-degree burns – These burns require emergency medical treatment and are the most severe of all the burn types. These burns not only destroy the skin, but also can damage the underlying muscles, tendons, and bones.
These burns can be caused by a variety of events. However, as mentioned previously, there are generally four main burn sources:
- Thermal burns – caused by contact with fire, hot liquids, steam, or other objects that can generate extreme heat
- Light burns – Are most often caused by either ultraviolet light or infrared light
- Chemical burns – Caused by chemicals such as acids or alkalis, these burns are more common in industrial settings
- Radiation burns – Are caused by contact or close proximity to nuclear radiation
Unfortunately, burns can result in serious and permanent disability such as scarring, decreased mobility, and brain damage. When a burn injury is caused by another person’s negligence, though, a hard-working Denver burn injury lawyer can help file a personal injury lawsuit to help a burn injury victim recover for their losses.
Filing a Burn Accident Claim
Most burn injury victims require extensive medical care and treatment, which can cost thousands of dollars and involve countless appointments and even surgery. To recover compensation on a plaintiff’s behalf, a Denver burn injury attorney would be required to prove that their burn injuries are a result of the negligent actions of another person or company. This is easy in some cases but can be very difficult in others.
Just as it can be tricky to know what helps burns in terms of medical treatment, it is also often difficult to know shortly after an accident how much a burn injury claim will be worth. Early on, it will not be known how severe your injuries are and what treatment will be required. A burn injury victim may be entitled to any of the following forms of compensation:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Permanent disability
- Lost wages
- Loss for property damage
- Physical burn scarring
- Emotional anguish
- Chronic pain
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
It is often crucial that a burn injury victim works closely with a Denver burn injury lawyer to determine what the cause was and who is responsible for a burn injury. In many burn cases, it can be difficult to prove who is responsible and if they are responsible for causing the burn. However, a savvy Denver burn injury lawyer will work with witnesses and experts to help establish liability.
Benefits of a Denver Burn Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one suffers a burn in an accident caused by another person’s reckless and careless behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. An experienced Denver burn injury lawyer at the Amy G Law Firm can help by examining medical records and reports, working with experts to determine the extent of your injuries, and gathering testimony and evidence from safety inspectors and professionals to help prove your case. Get in touch with us today.
