New York City Burn Injury Lawyer

Experienced New York City Burn Injury Lawyers

New York City Burn Injury Attorney

Have You or a Loved One Suffered a Burn Injury? Our Experienced New York City Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation and Justice You Deserve.

If you have suffered a burn injury, you have experienced one of the most painful injuries imaginable. If this burn could have been prevented, it's possible you may be eligible for compensation. Our New York City burn injury attorneys can help by providing legal guidance and dedicated representation. Call us at (646) 719-0444 for a free consultation today.

Types of Burn Injuries 

A burn injury happens when the skin comes into contact with a heat source, such as fire, hot objects, or liquid. 

Depending on the severity of the burn, it can cause scarring and disfigurement, along with pain and suffering. In extreme cases, a burn victim may suffer from permanent disability or even death. 

The signs and symptoms of a burn injury will vary depending on the degree of burn involved. [1] Burn injuries can be classified according to their severity:

• First-Degree Burns: This type of burn injury affects only the outer layer of the skin and can cause redness, pain, and mild swelling.
• Second-Degree Burns: Burn accidents that involve 3rd degree burns affect both the outer and underlying layers of the skin and can cause severe pain, blistering, and swelling.
• Third-Degree Burns: This type of thermal burn affects all layers of the skin and can cause severe tissue damage, charring, and nerve damage.
• Fourth-Degree Burns: Deeper tissue 4th degree burns are the most severe type of burn. They extend beyond to all layers of skin, affecting tendons, muscles, bones, and internal organs as they are full-thickness burns.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in NYC

Burn injuries can be caused by a variety of different circumstances. In New York City, some of the most common types of burn injuries include:

Building Fire: Fires that rise from commercial and residential buildings (such as deadly house fires or apartment fires) can occur due to faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or flammable materials.

Electrical Burns: Electric shocks can cause burns due to contact with exposed wiring or electrical parts. These can result from electrical cord fires or any situation where skin is exposed to an electrical current.

Explosions: Explosions can cause burns due to flying debris or contact with burning materials. Flammable liquids can contribute to explosions, which may produce an abundance of smoke. Chemical plant explosions can result in a variety of injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents can result in burn injuries when a vehicle’s fuel tank ruptures or is exposed to open flames.

Scalding: Hot liquids can cause severe burn injuries when they come into contact with the skin. These can occur when water temperature is not moderated. 

How Common Are Burn Injuries in New York?

According to the CDC, approximately 1.1 million Americans seek medical care for burn injuries each year. About 40,000 burn injury victims are hospitalized or admitted to burn centers across the U.S.

Burn injuries are common in New York City and the surrounding areas, with thousands of people being injured every year due to these incidents.

According to data from the U.S. Fire Administration, there were over 4,000 reported burn injury incidents in the state of New York in 2019 alone.

Of those reported incidents, 81% resulted in some form of hospitalization, and 7 deaths were reported. [2]

Medical Treatment for Burn Injuries In NYC

The treatment of burn injuries depends on the severity of the injury. For mild to moderate burns, first-aid can be administered at home, including cleaning and covering the affected area with a sterile dressing.

Pain medications may also be recommended to help manage any discomfort associated with the injury.

More serious burns require medical attention to prevent infection, to restore function, and reduce pain and scarring. Treatment options for severe burns may include:

• Alternative Treatments - Some burn injury victims may benefit from alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and hydrotherapy.
• Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapists can help burn victims regain the ability to complete their everyday activities, such as performing household chores or returning to work.
• Physical and Emotional Therapy - Physical therapy may be required to help restore function, while emotional therapy can help burn victims cope with the psychological trauma of the injury.
• Rehabilitation - Burn injury victims often require psychological support and counseling to cope with their injuries and adapt to a new lifestyle.
• Scarring Prevention - Special care is taken to minimize scar tissue and disfigurement, including the use of topical treatments, compression garments, and laser therapy.
• Skin Grafting - Skin grafts involve taking healthy skin from another part of the body or using artificial skin substitutes to replace the damaged area.
• Surgery - A surgeon may need to remove damaged tissue and perform grafts to promote healing.

What Compensation Can I Recover for My Burn Injuries in New York?

If you have suffered burn injuries due to the negligence of another party in New York City, you are entitled to recover compensation for the damages you have incurred. Pursuing legal action may allow you to receive compensation for:

• Disfigurement - Is another type of damage that can be sought out in a burn injury case. This refers to any permanent scarring or deformity that results from the injury. Disfigurement can have a significant impact on a person's self-esteem and quality of life.
• Emotional distress - Can also be a factor in burn injury cases. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues as a result of their injuries.
• Medical expenses - Can include all of the costs associated with medical treatment, including hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation. If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to recover lost wages.
• Pain and suffering - Refer to the physical and emotional pain that you may experience as a result of your injuries. This can include physical discomfort, anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress.

Several factors can affect the amount of compensation awarded in a burn injury case such as:

• Degree of negligence on behalf of the responsible party
• Impact the injury has on the victim's life
• Severity of the burn injury

In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and are designed to punish the responsible party for their negligence or recklessness.

They may be awarded in cases where the responsible party acted with a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Burn Injuries in New York?

In New York, the Statute of Limitations for personal injury claims, including burn injuries, is generally three years from the date of the accident.

This means that you must file your claim within three years of the accident date. After this time period, you may lose your right to pursue compensation for your damages.

Contact Our Experienced NYC Burn Injury Attorneys Today

At our law firm, we understand the physical and emotional pain that burn injuries can cause. Our experienced NYC burn injury attorneys have extensive experience and are dedicated to helping you get the maximum compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one have suffered from a burn injury due to the negligence of another, contact our experienced NYC personal injury lawyers today to discuss your case and determine the best course of action. Call us at (646) 719-0444 for your free consultation today. 

Sources:

[1] Burns: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments. (n.d.). Burns: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments. https://www.healthline.com/health/burns

[2] Burn Incidence Fact Sheet – American Burn Association. (2017, May 8). Burn Incidence Fact Sheet – American Burn Association. https://ameriburn.org/who-we-are/media/burn-incidence-fact-sheet/