Burn Injuries

Sherman Oaks Catastrophic Injury Attorney

If you’ve received burn injuries in an accident that was caused by the negligence, recklessness, or wrongful misconduct of another party. Then you may be entitled to damages under California law. Burns are among the worst sort of injuries for a victim. Serious burn injuries can not only cause extreme, long-lasting pain and aesthetic harm. But they can also create lifelong functional impairments that have a catastrophic impact on the plaintiff’s ability to engage in personal, social, recreational, and career activities. 

Burn Injuries Can Lead to Substantial and Variable Losses

Burn injuries can lead to substantial losses, though the losses suffered are not the same for each victim. A minor burn injury that solely affects one’s inner thigh. For example, may not give rise to damages for embarrassment or humiliation, given that it is not a portion of the body that is regularly exposed to the public. By contrast, a burn injury that leaves deep scars all over the victim’s face is likely to give rise to a claim for damages that accounts for the losses associated with disfigurement.

Like other personal injury claims, burn injury claims can be a challenge to litigate, but there are potential opportunities, as well. Burn injury victims tend to be excellent plaintiffs, as juries can more easily sympathize with the pain and suffering that the victim has gone through particularly if there has been some level of disfigurement. Defendants understand that burn injury victims have an advantage in front of a jury. And they may therefore be more willing to negotiate a favorable settlement early on.

Categorizing Burn Injuries

Type

Many laypeople exclusively associate burn injuries with fire-related accidents, but burn injuries can be inflicted by a number of sources. Major burn injury types include:

• Thermal (i.e., application of heat, such as in a fire, or by touching a searing object).
• Chemical (i.e., acid burns and toxic chemical exposure to the skin)
• Electrical (i.e., coming in contact with an electrical current)

For example, if you are walking by a fence, and your skin comes into contact with a loose electrical live-wire, the prospect of severe burns is likely.

Severity

There are three degrees of burn injuries, in increasing order of severity: first, second, and third.

First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. And they will generally lead to a full recovery with no functional impairments or scarring, though light scarring may occur in some cases.

Second-degree burns affect the outer two layers of the skin, and they can cause significant pain and scarring. Some victims requiring skin grafts to avoid disfigurement. Long-term impairment is unlikely, however.

Third-degree burns completely destroy both the outer layers of the skin, and they can even destroy nerves, hair, and sweat glands. Third-degree burns not only lead to some level of disfigurement, but they often lead to lifelong functional impairments and consistent pain, too.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Sherman Oaks Catastrophic Injury Attorney

If you have suffered burn injuries in an accident that was the fault of another. Then California law may give you a right of action for damages against the defendant.

We can help.

At Prestige Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, our team has extensive experience working with burn injury plaintiffs. And others who have suffered extreme harm in various personal injury scenarios, from motor vehicle accidents to slip-and-fall accidents. Over the years, we have gained insight into what strategies work (and which don’t) in personal injury litigation, and how best to advocate on behalf of clients at every stage of a dispute.

Call the Prestige Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at 818-788-0808 or 661-341-3939. And send us a message online to schedule a free and confidential consultation. With an experienced Sherman Oaks/ Palmdale catastrophic injury attorney at our firm.

We operate two offices, both located in Los Angeles County (Sherman Oaks and Palmdale). If you’re in Northern California, we also encourage you to get in touch. We have successfully represented numerous plaintiffs throughout the state.