Burn Injury Lawyer in Mentor, OH
HELPING INJURED CLIENTS STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS
The World Health Organization estimates that serious burns are the cause of over 180,000 deaths around the world each year. While most burn victims are able to survive their injuries, any part of their bodies affected by significant burn injuries may affect many aspects of their lives for many years or even permanently. So what happens when your burn injuries were a result of someone else’s negligent actions? Frank at Piscitelli Law Firm explains how burn injury claims work in Ohio and the steps to recover maximum compensation for your damages. For help regarding your specific case, reach out to us.
HOW DO BURN INJURIES OCCUR?
Burn injuries can happen due to accidents, such as fires, explosions, electrical shocks, chemical spills, and other hazardous materials. Burns can also be the result of exposure to extremely high temperatures, such as scalding liquids, steam, or hot objects, and can range in severity from minor skin irritation to deep tissue damage and permanent scarring.
Minor burns may cause redness and pain, while more severe burns can cause blistering and charred skin, as well as nerve damage, permanent disfigurement, and reduced mobility. The intensity of the burn affects the amount of time it takes for the injury to heal, and in more severe cases, victims may require surgery or skin grafts to reduce the risk of infection or further damage. In addition to the physical pain of burn injuries, victims may also experience psychological trauma, such as anxiety or PTSD resulting from the incident, as well as the pain they often endure during the recovery process.
HOW DO BURN INJURIES VARY IN SEVERITY?
Burns are classified into three categories according to their severity. First-degree burns are the least severe, only affecting the outer layer of skin. Symptoms of a first-degree burn include redness, swelling, and pain.
In contrast, second-degree burns are typically more severe, affecting both the outer and inner layers of skin and causing blistering, charring, and numbness, potentially resulting in nerve damage and increased pain. Third-degree burns are the most serious and extend through all layers of the skin, causing it to become white or charred and often leading to permanent disfigurement. Third-degree burns can damage the underlying tissues, tendons, and blood vessels and may require skin grafts or surgery to recover. When a person’s body is more than 30 or 40% affected by third-degree burns and prompt treatment is not received, the burn injuries can quickly lead to death.
WHEN CAN YOU SUE FOR A BURN INJURY IN OHIO?
In Ohio, burn injury victims may be able to receive compensation for their accident by either filing a lawsuit or an insurance claim against the party whose negligence caused them to be injured. In other words, if you were hurt and your injuries are the direct result of another person’s actions, you may sue them or, in some cases, receive an insurance settlement.
For example, if you were severely burned in an accident with a tanker truck that was carrying combustible fuels and later on, it is determined that the crash was the tanker truck’s driver’s fault, you may be able to file an insurance claim against the driver’s own insurance and maybe even against the trucking company. If filing an insurance claim is not an option, you may want to speak to an attorney to see if you should take your case to the courtroom and file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or the trucking company.
WHAT IF MY INJURY WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT?
Many burn injuries are also caused by defective products, which can cause serious burns to the skin (when the product catches on fire or causes the victim to be electrocuted), as well as chemical burns (caused by the product leaking harmful liquids or gases). For example, if a person was lighting up fireworks and following all safety instructions when the fireworks malfunctioned and exploded in front of them, the manufacturer of said fireworks may be liable for the victim’s injuries and damages.
When a defective product causes someone to become injured, the victim may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. In order to do that, the victim will need to be prepared to prove that their injuries were caused by a manufacturing defect, improper instructions, lack of adequate warning to consumers about potential product risks, or a design defect. An attorney can play an essential role in helping victims build a product liability case against a negligent manufacturer.
WHY SHOULD I HIRE AN ATTORNEY FOR MY CASE?
When you’ve been the victim of severe burn injuries caused by another party’s negligence, the last thing you need is to deal with paperwork, insurance phone calls, and all the other tasks involved in building a case to pursue compensation for your damages. A burn injury case is a type of personal injury claim, which unfortunately means the burden of evidence falls on the victim. Simply put, it is your job to prove your case and build an effective argument to show that your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence.
This is where the knowledge and skills of an Ohio burn injury attorney can drastically impact your case for the better. Your attorney can take over all aspects of your case for you and build a strong argument on your behalf, so the only thing you need to worry about is healing and getting back on your feet. If you suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, contact burn injury attorney Frank Piscitelli to discuss your case.
