Richmond Burn Injury Lawyer

As a burn injury victim, we realize the challenges you are facing. Your injury may require extensive medical treatment to address not only the burn but related complications as well. Your injury may ultimately prevent you from being able to work for an extended period of time.

Marks & Harrison is here to help you. If another person’s negligence caused you to suffer a serious burn injury, we can seek full compensation for the harm that has been done to you.

We believe it is important to work with a law firm that understands the unique medical and legal aspects of these cases. We have extensive experience with helping burn injury victims and their families in Richmond and throughout Virginia, and we can put that experience to work for you right away.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We will review the facts of your case and answer any questions you may have about your rights and options.

How Did Your Burn Injury Happen?

The American Burn Association estimates that 486,000 people need medical treatment for burn injuries each year in our country. Many of these injuries result through no fault of the victim. They are caused by the careless or reckless acts of another or by a dangerous, defective product.

As we have seen at Marks & Harrison, common causes of burn injuries are:

• Motor vehicle accidents – Negligent drivers can cause car, truck or motorcycle accidents that result in fires or explosions. Friction burns from contact with the pavement may also occur.
• Construction accidents – Workers at construction sites face the risk of burns from fires, sparks emitted by tools, hazardous chemicals and electrical contact through exposure to machinery, wiring and outlets.
• Workplace accidents – The construction industry is not the only one that can be dangerous. Workers in other jobs face burn risks, too. For instance, kitchen workers can be burned by flames, hot liquids or grease, or lab techs can suffer burns from exposure to radiation.
• Dangerous property conditions – Residential fires often occur due to poor wiring. Victims can suffer burns when a residence such as an apartment complex or assisted living facility is not equipped with working fire alarms.
• Defective products – Defective cords and wires in products can cause electrical burns, while parts that readily overheat can result in thermal burns. In recent years, explosions involving defective grills and propane tanks have become a major concern.

Our investigation into your case will be aimed at identifying the cause of your burn injuries and the party (or parties) who should be held legally responsible for your damages.

What Type of Burn Injury Did You Suffer?

The level of burn injury you have suffered and the extent to which the burns cover your body will largely determine the medical treatment you need.

Burns generally are classified according to the extent of tissue damage. The levels are:

• First-degree – The burn affects the skin’s outer layer, or epidermis. A victim may experience pain but little to no scarring. The burn can be treated with an antibiotic ointment.
• Second-degree – The burn reaches the second layer of skin tissue, or dermis, and it may cause minor nerve damage. A victim may suffer severe pain, swelling and blisters. The burn may need to be treated through debridement (removal of dead skin tissue) or skin grafting (replacing dead tissue with healthy tissue from another part of the body). This is called a partial thickness burn.
• Third-degree – The burn penetrates the dermis and may go deeper. Serious muscle and nerve damage is highly possible. Debridement and skin grafting may be needed as well as treatment for complications that are likely to arise such as infections, hypothermia and loss of blood. This is also called a full thickness burn.
• Fourth-degree – The burn damages muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. A burn at this level can be deadly. A victim may need emergency and reconstructive surgery, long-term hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation.

What Compensation Can You Receive for a Burn Injury?

As a serious burn injury victim, you will likely require treatment at a special burn unit, including acute care, plastic surgery and rehabilitation. Your medical expenses can quickly add up.

The situation worsens if you are unable to work due to scar tissue that restricts your movement, muscle and nerve damage, loss of limbs or lung damage that you may have suffered due to smoke inhalation.

In a personal injury claim against the party or parties who caused your burn injury, you can seek a recovery of:

Marks & Harrison will also explore other options in your case, which may include filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits .

Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Burn Injury?

If you have suffered a serious burn injury due to another’s negligence, you should not face the consequences alone. You will need an experienced attorney by your side that will fight for the compensation you deserve.

At Marks & Harrison, we can get to work immediately on investigating your burn injury, consulting with experts and preparing your case. In the meantime, we can work with your doctors to make sure treatment for your burn injuries goes uninterrupted.

Ultimately, we can seek a settlement from the at-fault party’s insurer or, if necessary, go to trial on your behalf. Rest assured, we will work tirelessly for you and purse the funds you need to move on with your life.

Our Richmond Burn Injury Attorneys Can Help You

Don’t wait to take legal action after a burn injury. Get in touch with Marks & Harrison as soon as you are ready. We can provide a free consultation at our office in Richmond or at any of our other eight offices located throughout Virginia. Call or click here today to get started.

Sources / More Information:

• Burn Incident and Treatment in the United States: 2016, American Burn Association
• Burns, Mayo Clinic
• Burns: Types, Treatments and More, Healthline