Burns are among the most catastrophic injuries that a person can sustain. Burn injury victims in Boston may require extensive surgeries, hospitalization, and rehabilitation for months or even years to come. In addition to suffering from extraordinary physical pain, they may be left to cope with intense psychological trauma as well. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, it’s important to know that our Boston personal injury lawyers are on your side.
According to statistics from the American Burn Association, over 400,000 people receive treatment for burns each year. Many burn injuries may be caused by the careless or reckless actions of another party. If you were severely burned due to someone else’s negligence, you likely have the right to hold that party accountable.
Jason Stone Injury Lawyers has been working for the legal rights of burn injury victims in Boston, MA, for over 17 years. Massachusetts burn victims trust our experience and personalized service to ensure they get maximum compensation. If you have suffered a burn injury, Better Phone StoneⓇ. Call our Boston burn injury lawyers 24/7 or fill out the online form to schedule a free case consultation by phone or video conference, as you prefer.
Different Degrees of Burns
Burns are classified into different categories depending on how deeply the skin has been harmed. The higher the degree, the more severe the burn is:
- First-degree burns: These burns are minor and only affect the outer layer of skin. They won’t blister but may cause some redness and mild pain for a few days. You may get a first-degree burn when you get a mild sunburn or touch something on the stove that is too hot.
- Second-degree burns: These types of burns extend past the top layer of skin and damage both the epidermis and dermis. The skin turns bright red and blisters. These sores may then burst open with the risk of serious bacterial infection. A victim of a second-degree burn may be able to care for the wound at home or may require medical attention – depending on the size of the burn and where it is located on the body.
- Third-degree burns: This type of burn is sometimes referred to as a “full-thickness burn” and requires medical care. A third-degree burn goes through all the layers of skin, damaging the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat layer. It can harm the muscles, underlying tissue, internal organs, and nerve endings.
- Fourth-degree burns: These are the most severe burn injuries and cause the most pain. A fourth-degree burn destroys not only all the layers of the skin but also bones, tendons, and muscles. There is no feeling in the area where the nerve endings have been destroyed.
Common Causes of Boston, MA Burn Injuries
Every year, thousands of Massachusetts residents seek medical treatment for burns suffered at work, at home, or as the result of an accident. The following are some common serious burns:
- House fires
- Electrical burns
- Radiation (X-rays)
- Thermal heat
- Natural gas fires
- Hot liquid or steam
- Chemical burns (gas, lye, acids, etc.)
- Hot tar, gas, metal, or other objects
- Natural gas fires
- Smoke inhalation
Who Can Be Held Liable For a Severe Burn Injury?
During your initial consultation, our compassionate Boston burn injury lawyers will carefully listen as you explain the cause of the accident and the extent of your injuries. We will identify all liable parties and help you determine whether you have a solid burn injury case.
The following are common causes of burn injuries. Included are explanations of the parties who may be held liable in such burn injury cases.
Motor vehicle accidents
There are many different ways a person may suffer a burn injury in the event of a car or truck accident. Burns may occur as the result of:
- Fires and explosions
- Airbag deployment
- Exposure to hot metals or steam
- Contact with a live electrical current
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances
Car accident burn injuries may cause permanent scarring or require extensive surgery. If your motor vehicle accident and subsequent injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence, then that individual could be held liable for your losses.
Workplace accidents
A burn injury may occur in many different Boston workplace environments. Occupations that have a high risk of burn hazards include:
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Restaurant workers
- Firefighters
- Janitors
- Mechanics
- Healthcare workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific standards for fire and burn regulations in the workplace, as well as rules involving the handling of hazardous chemicals and gases. Despite these regulations, fires and explosions are still the cause of many workplace injuries and fatalities every year.
Employers have an obligation to train their employees about fire hazards in their line of work and what to do in the event of a fire emergency. If you suffered a workplace injury due to the negligence of your employer, you may be able to hold him or her liable for damages.
Product liability
When consumers purchase a product in the US, they trust that it is well designed and safe to use for its intended purpose. There are laws in place regulating the design and production of goods to ensure consumer safety. Sadly, despite these guidelines, many dangerous products still make it to market every year, causing catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
Examples of defective products that have caused burn injuries include:
- Kitchen appliances
- Batteries and battery-powered devices
- Electric blankets
- Household cleaning products
- E-cigarettes and vaping devices
- Heating equipment
- Flammable clothing
- Lawnmowers
If a product is proven to be defective, it should be recalled from the market. Unfortunately, this often doesn’t happen until many people have already been harmed by the item. If your burn injuries were caused by a defective product, the manufacturer, designer, or retailer could be held liable. A Massachusetts burn injury lawyer can help you identify and file a lawsuit against all responsible parties.
Premises liability
Premises liability is a legal term that refers to a property owner’s responsibility to keep you safe while visiting his or her property. If you sustained a serious burn injury on a private, public, or government-owned property, then you may be able to hold the negligent property owner liable for damages.
Here are just a few of the many possible ways that a person may sustain burn injuries due to a negligent property owner:
- A customer getting burned by a hotplate
- A guest is burned by scalding water from the faucet while visiting a friend
- A visitor is burned in a house fire due to faulty wiring
- A patron of a business sustains a chemical burn due to improperly stored hazardous materials
There are many critical safety precautions that property owners have an obligation to take to minimize the risk of burn injuries occurring on their grounds. If failure to take these steps resulted in your burn injury, our Boston burn injury lawyers can help you hold the responsible party legally accountable for their negligence.
How Much is Your Boston Burn Injury Case Worth?
Burn victims often require extensive medical treatments and are left unable to work for a prolonged period of time. They may need financial compensation to cover their medical and day-to-day living expenses.
An insurance company may offer you a fast and quick settlement. However, keep in mind that insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. Their goal is to get you to settle for the least amount possible, and the settlement they offer may be far less than what your claim is actually worth.
The compassionate Boston personal injury lawyers at our law firm know how to accurately estimate the true value of your claim. What’s more, we are tough negotiators and won’t back down until you receive the full compensation that you need.
Damages that your burn injury attorney can pursue on your behalf may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation
- Reconstructive surgery
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Contact a Boston Burn Injury Lawyer Today
Burns are some of the most traumatic injuries to treat, and medical bills can quickly add up. Even first-degree burns can become infected and require medical attention, but third-degree burns may take years to heal, affecting a person’s ability to work and quality of life.
If you or a loved one sustained a serious burn due to someone else’s negligence, contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers today. Our law firm has earned the reputation for helping personal injury burn victims in Boston and the surrounding area. When we take on your case, our legal team will work diligently to help you get the just and fair compensation that you are entitled to.
The attorneys at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing out of pocket. That’s just part of our Stone Cold GuaranteeⓇ. Contact our law firm 24/7 to schedule a free consultation with a Boston burn injury lawyer – There’s No Obligation, Just Information®.
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