Burn injuries remain a serious public health issue and are a leading cause of accidental deaths and injuries in the U.S. According to recent data from the American Burn Association (ABA), approximately 398,000 burn injuries require medical treatment annually across the country. Of these, around 29,165 lead to hospital admissions, with a mortality rate of 2.7%. Even though 95% of patients survive, burn injuries can have severe financial, physical, and psychological effects. Severe burns often require extensive medical care, including surgeries and rehabilitation, and can result in long-term physical impairments or disfigurement. The recovery journey includes overcoming both physical and psychological challenges, especially when the injury is caused by someone else's negligence.

Burn injuries can occur in a variety of settings, including car accidents, workplaces, and public spaces, often leading to considerable pain and suffering. Certain types of burns may result in scarring, disfigurement, ongoing health complications, and reduced mobility. It is important to know the appropriate actions to take following a burn injury. After obtaining medical care, it's important to consult with an Ohio personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling burn injury cases. This step ensures you understand your legal rights and options for seeking compensation.

At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, our team boasts a proven track record of successfully assisting clients in obtaining the compensation they deserve, including those who have sustained burn injuries in car accidents or while at work. If you or a loved one has been injured, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are committed to supporting you through this challenging time and ensuring you receive the support and guidance you need.

Below are answers to the most common questions we receive about legal cases involving burn injuries:

Should I Hire an OH Burn Injury Lawyer After an Accident?

Ensure That Your Current and Future Medical Expenses Are Covered

Burn injuries often result in personal injury and product liability claims due to their severe and lasting impact. If you’ve suffered a burn injury, it is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. The cost of treating burns can be substantial, with expenses escalating based on the severity of the burns and the treatments required. In some cases, burns may necessitate lifelong care, placing a significant financial strain on individuals who are already dealing with the emotional and physical repercussions of their injuries.

If you have sustained 2nd- or 3rd-degree burns as a result of someone else's negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. Consulting with a burn injury lawyer can be instrumental in helping you secure maximum compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering you have endured. This support is vital in ensuring you can focus on recovery without the added stress of financial burdens.

Ensuring that both your current and future medical expenses are covered is very important if you've suffered an injury. Medical costs for serious injuries can quickly become overwhelming, particularly if long-term care and treatments are needed. It's important to accurately assess not only immediate medical needs but also potential ongoing costs. Protecting your financial future requires understanding the full scope of your medical expenses, so consulting with a legal expert can help ensure that you receive the comprehensive compensation you're entitled to cover these costs.

What Are the Most Common Types of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries can happen in a variety of situations, including on construction sites in Ohio or during car accidents caused by reckless driving, where the responsible parties can be held accountable. Below are some of the most common types of burn injuries:

Chemical Burns

Exposure to industrial chemicals can result in severe burns. Some chemicals are highly combustible, while others cause dangerous reactions upon contact with skin or inhalation.

Car Accidents

Burns suffered after car accidents are often severe and traumatic. These injuries typically occur when a vehicle catches fire upon impact, exposing occupants to intense heat and flames. The severity can vary from first-degree burns, which affect only the outer layer of skin, to third-degree burns that damage nerves, muscles, and bones, often leaving significant emotional trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Defective Products

Burns caused by defective products can occur when electrical appliances, children’s toys, or kitchen equipment malfunction due to design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate safety warnings. These incidents can lead to anything from minor skin damage to deep tissue injuries requiring extensive treatments like skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. The psychological impact can include trauma and anxiety, diminishing trust in everyday products.

Electrical Burns

Common among construction workers, electrical burns can cause severe internal damage when electricity passes through the body. These injuries often arise from faulty electrical components, wiring issues, or inadequate installation and maintenance of electrical systems. For example, a power surge can cause severe burns and potentially permanent damage.

Steam Burns and Scalds

Industries that involve working with hot liquids or steam, such as plumbing, are high-risk zones for burns from steam or scalding water. These burns can cause serious injuries and require prolonged treatment.

Thermal Burns

Exposure to open flames can lead to thermal burns, which are common in environments like construction sites or during welding activities. In car accidents where a vehicle ignites, these burns can be particularly lethal. Severe cases might need skin grafts and extensive ongoing medical attention.

Sunburns

Individuals who work outdoors without proper protection are susceptible to severe sunburns. Extended exposure to the sun can lead to serious burns, sun poisoning, or heatstroke, especially in unprotected workers.

Burn injuries of all types can lead to lasting physical scars and emotional trauma, requiring extensive recovery periods that can last months or even years.

How Are Burn Injuries Classified?

Burns are categorized into four degrees—first, second, third, or fourth—based on the depth and severity of the skin damage. Determining the exact classification can be challenging initially, as the full extent of a burn may not become fully apparent for a day or two due to its gradual progression.

Here’s a breakdown of how burns are classified:

  • First-Degree (Superficial) Burns: These burns only affect the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. The affected area is red, painful, and dry, without blisters. An example of a first-degree burn is a mild sunburn. Long-term damage is rare, generally limited to changes in skin color.
  • Second-Degree (Partial Thickness) Burns: These burns impact both the epidermis and part of the dermis, the layer beneath. Characteristics include redness, blistering, swelling, and pain at the burn site.
  • Third-Degree (Full Thickness) Burns: These burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis and may extend into the subcutaneous tissue, the deepest layer of skin. The affected area might appear blackened or charred.
  • Fourth-Degree Burns: These are the most severe, extending beyond the skin and damaging deeper tissues, such as muscles and bones. The affected area often lacks sensation due to nerve ending destruction. Fourth-degree burns require immediate medical intervention and frequently lead to permanent disabilities and disfigurement.

If you’ve suffered any type of burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to file a burn injury lawsuit or legal claim. It’s critical to contact an Ohio burn injury attorney at Brandon J. Broderick as soon as possible to explore your legal options and ensure your rights are fully protected.

How is Fault Determined in an Ohio Burn Injury Case?

In Ohio, effectively managing a burn injury case requires a strategic combination of evidence collection, establishing negligence, and obtaining skilled legal support. Here’s how these elements break down:

Evidence Collection:

  • Medical Records: Obtain comprehensive medical documentation detailing the extent and nature of the burn injuries.
  • Eyewitness Accounts: Collect statements from witnesses to support your version of the events.
  • Expert Testimony: Engage medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists for authoritative insights on the injuries and their impacts.
  • Photos and Videos: Document the accident scene with photos of the immediate environment, the injuries, and any relevant safety hazards.

Negligence and Liability:

  • Duty of Care: Establish that the defendant had a legal obligation to act with a certain level of care.
  • Breach of Duty: Demonstrate the defendant's failure to meet this obligation through reckless or negligent behavior.
  • Causation: Connect the breach directly to the injuries sustained, proving that the accident was the proximate cause of the burn injuries.

Consulting with an experienced Ohio burn injury attorney at Brandon J. Broderick is highly recommended in navigating the complexities of a burn injury claim. Their expertise not only enhances your ability to establish fault effectively but also maximizes the compensation received. By handling all aspects of the claim, from evidence gathering to final negotiations or trial, a dedicated attorney ensures that your rights are protected and your recovery needs are met.

What Compensation Is Available for Burn Injury Victims in Ohio?

Victims of severe burn injuries may be eligible to seek substantial compensation due to the profound physical, emotional, and financial hardships these injuries impose.

The impact on family members, such as spouses, children, or parents who provide support during the recovery process, must also be considered. The compensation a burn injury victim may receive is influenced by several factors:

  • Severity and Long-term Effects: The extent of the burn and its lasting physical consequences are key in determining compensation. More severe burns that result in greater disfigurement or functional impairment generally lead to higher compensation.
  • Circumstances of the Accident: How the injury occurred and whether it involved negligence or a violation of safety regulations can affect the liability and the compensation.
  • Liability of the Responsible Party: Establishing who is at fault and to what extent they are responsible is essential. This could include individuals, corporations, or multiple parties.
  • Impact on Affected Individuals: The number of people affected, such as immediate family members who suffer loss of companionship or incur expenses due to the victim's injuries, also factors into the compensation.
  • Ongoing Medical Care: The need for future medical treatments, surgeries, or rehabilitation can significantly increase the amount of compensation, as these costs must be projected over a lifetime if necessary.
  • Victim’s Employment: The ability of the victim to return to work and earn an income as before the accident is a significant consideration. Loss of earning capacity can lead to compensation that reflects past, present, and future lost wages.

Each of these elements plays a pivotal role in the calculation of damages awarded in burn injury cases. An experienced personal injury attorney can help burn injury victims navigate these complex factors to secure the compensation that reflects the full scope of their losses and suffering.

What Damages Can I Pursue in a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Ohio?

If you have suffered a burn injury in Ohio, you may be eligible to receive various forms of compensation, known as compensatory damages. These damages are designed to address the life-altering impacts of a personal injury, providing financial support for your physical, emotional, and financial recovery.

An Ohio burn injury lawyer can assist you in pursuing the following types of damages in a burn injury lawsuit:

  • Economic damages: These cover tangible financial losses such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and any other expenses directly related to your injury and recovery.
  • Non-economic damages: These compensate for the intangible effects of the injury, including pain, suffering, emotional distress, and the diminished quality of life resulting from the accident.
  • Punitive damages: In cases where gross negligence or intentional misconduct led to the burn injury, punitive damages may be pursued. These are awarded not as a means of compensation for the victim, but to punish the at-fault party and deter similar reckless behavior in the future.

By seeking these damages, a skilled burn injury lawyer in Ohio can help you secure the necessary compensation to rebuild your life after a devastating injury.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim if a Loved One Has Died After Suffering a Burn Injury in Ohio?

In cases where burn injuries are so severe that they lead to the victim's death, the personal representative of the deceased's estate is entitled to file a wrongful death claim in Ohio. This type of claim parallels a negligence lawsuit but specifically aims to compensate the surviving family members or the estate for their losses resulting from the victim's death. Additionally, a survival action permits the representative of the deceased to seek compensation for the pain and suffering the victim endured from the time of the injury until their passing.

It is advised to consult with a wrongful death lawyer in Ohio to navigate the complexities of a wrongful death lawsuit effectively. A wrongful death claim in Ohio is designed to provide compensation for the deceased’s family, governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2125.02. This ensures that families receive the necessary support to cover economic and non-economic damages incurred due to their loss.

Eligibility to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Ohio: 

In Ohio, the lawsuit for wrongful death must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate on behalf of the beneficiaries. These beneficiaries typically include the surviving spouse, children, and, in some cases, other close family members like parents or siblings who were financially dependent on the deceased. This legal action ensures that those most affected by the loss have a means to seek compensation for their damages and losses.

Damages in a wrongful death lawsuit can include various compensations to address the broad impact of the loss:

  • Medical Expenses: Costs incurred from the accident leading up to the deceased's death.
  • Funeral and Burial Costs: Expenses related to the deceased's funeral and burial.
  • Loss of Income: Compensation for the future earnings the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the loss of companionship, care, and emotional support provided by the deceased.
  • Pain and Suffering: Damages awarded for the emotional distress suffered by the deceased prior to death, as well as the grief endured by the family members.

In Ohio, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit, according to Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.02, is two years from the date of the individual’s death. It's critical to adhere to this deadline to preserve your right to seek compensation, as failing to file within this period typically results in the loss of the right to claim damages.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Burn Injury Claim in Ohio?

In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury, as per Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10. This two-year timeframe applies to initiating a lawsuit to seek compensation for injuries.

If the injury or the cause of the injury was not immediately apparent, Ohio law allows the statute of limitations to begin from the time the injury was discovered or should have been reasonably discovered. This is often referred to as the "discovery rule" and is applicable in cases where the effects of an injury are not immediately obvious.

Failing to file within this timeframe typically results in losing the legal right to pursue compensation through the courts. If you are considering filing a burn injury claim, it's advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney to ensure timely and proper handling of your case.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, Can Help You Recover Compensation for Burn Injuries in Ohio

A severe injury, especially a burn injury, can be devastating for the entire family in Ohio. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit can provide the closure you need to move forward and begin the healing process. We know how much your case matters to your family's future and the emotional and physical trauma that you are going through.

At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we handle each case with compassion and dedication. Our team will manage communications with insurance companies, gather witness statements, review medical reports, and collect evidence from healthcare providers to fully document your injuries and prove negligence by the responsible party.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation and consultation.

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