Did you sustain a burn injury in an accident? Was it due to another person’s negligence? If so, contact the Orange County personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw immediately. You might be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault party for the losses you suffered. If your actions didn’t contribute to the incident, you could recover the full value of the losses you suffered because of the accident, so you’re not left with out-of-pocket expenses.

Burn victims don’t just face physical pain and disfiguring injuries. They also struggle with the emotional or psychological effects of the accident. If you’re left with a disability, you can’t return to work or take care of yourself. You might need to purchase a wheelchair, hire someone to assist you with routine tasks or spend money to make your home handicap accessible.

Fires, car crashes, explosions, and other traumatic incidents can lead to burn injuries. The devastation of a physically traumatic injury can upend your life and affect your family. You shouldn’t suffer the consequences of someone else’s misconduct. OnderLaw is ready to help you seek justice and hold the at-fault party liable for what they’ve done.

If you want to learn more about the services we provide or what your legal options are following a burn injury, call for a free consultation with one of our Orange County burn injury attorneys.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

When an injured victim decides to proceed with an insurance claim without hiring a lawyer, it often backfires and results in a denied claim. If you don’t know the state laws or deadlines you must follow, you can’t effectively handle your case. You could make a mistake that leaves you without the money you need to afford your medical expenses.

At OnderLaw, our legal team has been representing burn victims since 2002. We know what it takes to get the job done and secure a favorable financial award. We will do our best to meet your needs and develop a strategy to achieve your legal goals. We will remain by your side from start to finish and provide the guidance and support you need to pursue compensation through a claim or lawsuit.

If there are roadblocks or challenges along the way, we’re equipped to overcome them. Unrepresented claimants don’t know their rights or the maximum compensation they’re entitled to pursue. If you receive an offer from the insurance company, you might feel tempted to accept it without exploring other options. If a knowledgeable attorney represents you, they can advise what to do if there’s a settlement offer and whether you should accept it.

Types of Accidents

Many scenarios can cause a catastrophic accident that leads to burn injuries. Some people suffer minor burns from spilling scalding coffee on themselves. Others handle flammable substances at work that could ignite if there’s an accelerant nearby. The existing circumstances will determine the type of accident that occurs and the severity of the injury you suffer.

Cases involving burn injuries that OnderLaw can handle are:

  • Car accidents
  • Explosions
  • Dangerous products accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Fires
  • Workplace hazards
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Premises liability
  • Nursing home abuse

Common accidents involving burn injuries include:

  • Thermal burns – When you touch a hot object, the temperature of your skin increases. That can destroy skin cells and result in a significant burn injury. Hot metals and coffee commonly cause this type of burn.
  • Motor vehicle crashes – A car could catch fire or spill hot motor oil, injuring a passenger inside.
  • Radiation burns – The sun and X-rays can expose a person to radiation that causes a radiation burn.
  • Chemical burns – Acids, detergents, and other similar liquids cause damage to the outer layers of skin and affect nerves and tissue.
  • Electrical burns – An electrical current can travel through someone’s body if they suffer electrocution or electrical shock. It can cause damage to the skin, tissue, and organs. Some people die from severe electrical burns because the organs can start to shut down and cause cardiac arrest.
  • Cold burns – Frostbite is a common type of cold burn experienced when someone touches something extremely cold or becomes exposed to freezing temperatures for a prolonged period.

Some burn injuries heal without much medical attention. At-home remedies can be effective for minor burns. However, severe damage that extends below the skin could require surgery, skin grafts, and other forms of treatment. Many accident victims recover, but they’re left with significant scarring or disfigurement. It can be a devastating experience for anyone to endure.

Common Burn Injuries Suffered in Accidents

Burn injuries range from minor to severe. Four classifications indicate the severity of the injury and the extent of the damage. They are:

  • First-degree burns – A first-degree burn is also called a superficial burn because the skin suffers minimal damage. Most people experience redness at the burn site, pain, and minor inflammation.
  • Second-degree burns – A second-degree burn is more serious than a first-degree burn. It damages the outer layer of skin and some of the layers underneath. Blisters can form and burst, leaving scabs and scars where the injury occurred.
  • Third-degree burns – One of the more severe types of burns is a third-degree burn. The damage affects every layer of skin and can extend to the nerves. Although it can be painful, most people don’t feel any pain because of the extensive nerve damage.
  • Fourth-degree burns – This type of burn injury is the most severe and traumatic. Every layer of skin becomes damaged as well as muscles and bone. Skin grafts are often required to heal the injury and could leave permanent scarring.

A range of complications can develop from a burn injury. Depending on the type of accident that happened, additional injuries can occur. Common complications can include:

  • Trouble breathing – During a fire or explosion, lung damage and respiratory issues can result from inhaling smoke.
  • Emotional trauma – Post-traumatic stress disorder is common after suffering injuries in an accident. You could develop severe depression if your burns don’t heal entirely and leave you with ugly scars.
  • Chronic pain – Some burns cause excruciating pain that lasts throughout treatment. You might need prescription drugs to manage your symptoms and alleviate the pain you’re experiencing.
  • Infections – Bacterial infections can enter the injury site and travel throughout the body. Without immediate medical care, it can cause life-threatening problems, such as organ failure.

At OnderLaw, our Orange County burn injury attorneys know how hard it can be to recover after an accident. It’s a painful and stressful process trying to seek compensation. We can help you get through this and hold the negligent party accountable for the harm they caused.

What Compensation Is Available?

Debilitating burn injuries can have long-lasting consequences for the victim. If you have months of treatment ahead of you, it can seem like a never-ending cycle of doctor’s appointments, surgeries, physical therapy, and paying expensive medical bills.

OnderLaw understands the importance of securing adequate compensation so you can cover the losses you suffered. If you weren’t partially responsible for the accident, you could seek the full monetary value of your losses, such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

The source of your compensation will depend on the type of accident that caused your burn injury. For example, if you were in a car accident, you could file a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. If you suffered burns in a fire on someone else’s property, you could seek compensation from their liability insurance company or file a lawsuit against the property owner.

What to Do After a Burn Injury Accident

No matter how severe the burn injury, you should seek immediate treatment at a hospital or your doctor’s office. Don’t wait days or weeks before your initial appointment. You could develop complications that lead to more medical issues. Insurance companies also look for valid reasons to deny an accident victim’s claim, and a significant gap in treatment could cost you thousands of dollars in compensation you would have received if you sought medical care the same day as the accident.

After you see a physician and they recommend a treatment plan, be sure to follow up with all your medical providers. You should continue with your treatment until they release you from their care. It’s important that you don’t decide to stop going to your appointments yourself. That could negatively impact the progress of your recovery and even cause the insurance company to offer a low settlement instead of the total amount you deserve.

Hire an Orange County burn injury attorney to take over the legal parts of your case while you’re healing from your injuries. OnderLaw can investigate the incident and find proof that your injury resulted from someone else’s careless or negligent actions. If the insurance company doesn’t settle for a fair amount, we can file a lawsuit and take them to court.

Why Choose OnderLaw?

OnderLaw has years of trial experience and the necessary skills to handle even the most complicated insurance claim. We know you want to collect your financial award and move forward with your life as soon as possible. Our legal team will fight for you and remain in your corner until the end.

We personalize our services to your specific case and provide one-on-one attention. You will be our top priority while we’re working on your claim or lawsuit, and you’ll have ongoing communication with us, so you know all the steps we’re taking to reach your goals.

Contact Us

If someone else’s negligence resulted in your burn injury, call OnderLaw right now to discuss your case. One of our Orange County burn injury attorneys can review all the facts, advise you about your legal options, and start working on your case immediately if you decide to hire us. Call today for your free consultation.