Moreno Valley Burn Injury Lawyer

Burns always hurt. Even if it’s a minor burn, the pain can be intense. Burns of a greater degree can be far more than physically painful. And if the burn injury was due to someone else’s carelessness, you’re no doubt feeling even worse, knowing that the entire incident could have been prevented.

You will need medical care for your burn injuries, and if the injuries were severe, those medical bills will mount up. You may need to take time off work to recover, and that sets off another worry about making ends meet while you can’t work. You shouldn’t have to pay any of your burn-related expenses yourself if someone else were entirely to blame for the accident.

The Moreno Valley personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw want to help you through this difficult time. We know you’re worried about the money. If your accident was someone else’s fault, we can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Call us today for a free consultation. You’ll talk with one of our lawyers, and we will advise you of your legal options for getting the money you need.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw?

Insurance companies and defense attorneys have one purpose. They want to protect their client from having to pay for the wrong they have done, and if their client has to pay, they want to keep the payment as low as possible. You need a lawyer to represent you against those who would keep you from getting what you need.

OnderLaw has lawyers who know how to go to battle against insurance companies and defense attorneys. With nearly two decades of experience and more than $4 billion in settlements already secured for our clients, we are dedicated to helping you through the aftermath of your burn incident. We know how to apply the law to your benefit, and we won’t back down. We have been recognized for our work ethic and our successful endeavors on our clients’ behalf by such prestigious organizations as Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers, among others.

One of our founding principles is that we treat our clients like family. When you hire OnderLaw, you can expect that we will be there for you 24/7. We will work with you from the beginning to the completion of your case. We will be honest with you and offer you the soundest legal advice. We will handle your claim or lawsuit as if it were our own.  We’ll do the heavy lifting so you can heal.

Causes of Burn Injuries

According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the most common causes of burn injuries:

• Fire
• Hot liquid or steam
• Hot metal, glass, or other objects
• Electrical currents
• Radiation
• Ultraviolet radiation.
• Chemicals
• Abuse

Other causes of burns can be car accidents, explosions, product defects, and workplace accidents. If the burn is from the workplace, you may need to seek worker’s compensation benefits.

Types and Severity of Burn Injuries

Just as burns can be caused by different elements, so, too, can there be different types of burns.

• Thermal burns. A thermal burn will be the result of fire damage, steam, or liquid damage.
• Radiation burns. These burns will be caused by intense light, including ultraviolet rays and infrared lights. They can also be caused by overexposure to various forms of radiation, from x-rays or other medical treatment, or from radiation from radioactive elements.
• Chemical burns. These are caused by acids, lye, or the misuse of chemicals. The burns can be internal, causing burning of the lungs and respiratory system.
• Electrical burns. Exposed wires and poorly grounded wires can lead to this type of burn.
• Cold burns. Frostbite is an example.
• Friction burns. Road rash or carpet burns are common types of friction burns.

If you have suffered burn injuries, you will probably need medical treatment. The classifications of burn injuries show the severity of the burn. The more severe the burn, the more certain it is you will need medical treatment, and the more quickly.

• First-degree burn. This burn causes the least damage and is usually limited to the outer layer of the skin. The burn will be painful, either warm or hot to the touch, and may have small blistering or swelling. The skin will remain intact. You may not think you need medical treatment, but if the pain is not alleviated by over-the-counter medication or if the pain persists or the blistering and swelling do not ebb quickly, seek medical treatment.
• Second-degree burn. This burn is more severe, reaching into the second layer of the skin. The appearance will be very red, and there will be blisters. The pain is worse than that of a first-degree burn, and there will be swelling. You should seek medical treatment in such cases.
• Third-degree burn. This type of burn reaches into all layers of the skin. The skin will be charred, appearing either black or white, and the skin will be dry to the touch. There may be no pain because nerve endings have been destroyed. Medical treatment is imperative in third-degree burns, as infection can set in. Skin grafting may be required.
• Fourth-degree burn. These burns involve all layers of skin, muscle, and tendon, and can go into the bone, as well. This type of burn requires immediate medical care, and skin grafting or amputation may be required.

Any burn can lead to scarring or disfigurement. The greater the degree of burn, the more likely the skin will be damaged and can become disfigured. Treatment may require skin grafts and multiple surgeries, as well as therapy. The damage to the skin can lead to reduced or restricted motion and can affect your sense of touch.

Compensation for Burn Injuries

In order to obtain compensation for your injuries from your burn accident, we will need to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf. You may be eligible for two different types of compensation, called “damages.”

Economic damages include items with a specific monetary value attached, such as medical care, property damage, or lost wages. Noneconomic damages are intended to compensate you for the intangible costs of the accident, such as pain and suffering or disfigurement. Your attorney from OnderLaw will be able to assess the value of your claim and advise you what an appropriate settlement amount would be.

You may be eligible for the following damages:

• Medical expenses. Medical expenses can include doctors’ visits, emergency room visits, rehabilitation, therapy (physical and mental), prescription costs, assistive devices, and other items.
• Lost income. When you cannot work because of your injuries, you may be losing time from work. If that’s the case, you may recover that money. Should you be unable to return to the same job at the same pay, or should you be unable to work at all after your injury, your settlement or award should reflect your lost wages.
• Physical and emotional suffering. When you have injuries like this, the psychological cost may be considered in calculating your losses, as well. You may develop PTSD after the accident or acquire new mental issues, such as anxiety or depression, from your injuries. Compensation may be available.
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement. When the damage is severe enough to cause permanent scarring and/or disfigurement, your life will be affected. You could get additional compensation to attempt to make up for your losses.
• Lost quality of life. Not only can burns lead to scarring and disfigurement, it can also lead to permanent physical disabilities. This can curtail the kind of life you have been used to living. You may be eligible to recoup this loss.
• Property damage. If your property was damaged in the fire, you may obtain compensation for the repair or replacement of that property. The property could be a vehicle, your cellphone, your computer, your leather coat, etc.

State Burn Accident Statistics

According to the American Burn Association, the following statistics from 2016 show that:

• 486,000 people received treatment for burn injuries.
• 3,275 people died from fire/smoke inhalation. Of these, 2,745 died in a residential fire. Vehicle crash fires killed 310, and 220 died from other fires.
• The odds of dying in a house fire in the United States is one in 1,442.
• The United States averages one civilian fire death every two hours and 41 minutes.

We Can Help. Call Now

OnderLaw is committed to getting you the compensation you deserve after you were injured because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness. We will listen to your story, and we will give you the best legal advice about how to pursue the money you need. We will be honest with you and keep you informed about the process and the negotiations. If a settlement can’t be reached and we need to go to court, we will fight for you every step of the way.

Call us today or contact us online. Let us get started on the process of bringing closure to a horrible period of your life. The first consultation is free.