If you have been injured in a fire, scalded by hot liquids, or obtained a burn injury in another way, our burn injury lawyers in Portland are here to represent you. Burns are among the most painful of injuries. The resulting hospitalizations, skin grafts, and pain medications are expensive. Our burn injury attorneys are ready to help you fight for your financial recovery.
We can't fix your injuries, but we can support you while you heal. Call our Portland burn injury attorneys at (971) 339-8080 for a free consultation today.
What is a Burn Injury?
Burn injuries are some of the most serious and painful injuries that you can sustain. A burn injury is any tissue injury that is caused by contact with thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation sources.
Depending on the severity of the injury, burns can cause significant pain and even permanent scarring.
Types of Burns Injuries in Portland
Burn injuries can be classified according to the severity, depth, and type of injury. The most common types of burns include:
- First-Degree Burns: These are the least serious type of burn and are usually limited to redness and swelling of the skin. They do not cause permanent scarring and typically heal within a few days.
- Second-Degree Burns: These burns penetrate through the top layers of skin and cause blistering, redness, swelling, and severe pain.
- Third-Degree Burns: These are the most serious type of burns and penetrate all layers of skin, causing permanent scarring, numbness, and a lack of sensation in the affected area. In some cases, third-degree burns may even cause death.
- Fourth-Degree Burns: These are the most extreme type of burn injury that penetrates through the skin and into the bone. These burns may require skin grafts and cause severe, permanent disfigurement.
What Causes Burn Injuries in Portland?
Burn injuries can be caused by a variety of sources, including:
- Fire: Whether it’s a house fire, campfire, or car engine fire in a motor vehicle accident, contact with an open flame can cause serious burn injuries.
- Electrical Burns: Contact with electrical currents can cause severe burns, as well as other forms of tissue damage.
- Chemical Burns: Exposure to powerful acids and bases can cause serious burns and even blindness.
- Thermal Burns: These occur when the skin comes into contact with extremely hot objects or liquids, such as hot irons, boiling water, or steam.
- Radiation Burns: Exposure to radiation can cause severe burns, particularly if the person is exposed for a prolonged period of time. Radiation burns can cause permanent skin damage and even cancer.
Common Symptoms of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can have a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including:
- Redness and swelling of the affected area
- Blistering and peeling of the skin
- Severe pain and discomfort in the affected area
- Numbness and lack of sensation in the affected area
- Difficulty breathing due to smoke inhalation
- Shock and anxiety
- Emotional distress due to scarring or disfigurement
Treating Burn Injuries in Portland
When it comes to treating burn injuries, the main goal is to reduce pain and promote healing. The type of treatment a patient receives depends on the severity of their burn injury.
Mild burns may be treated at home, while more serious burns may require hospitalization at a Portland hospital and with ongoing treatment at Legacy Chronic Wound and Outpatient Burn Services or another local burn clinic.
- Mild Burns: Mild burns can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter pain medications or creams. It is important to keep the area clean and dry and cover it with a sterile dressing to reduce the risk of infection.
- Moderate Burns: These burns require medical attention. Depending on the extent of the injury, treatment may involve prescription topical ointments or oral medications, as well as skin grafts or surgical excision.
- Severe Burns: Severe burns require immediate medical attention. Treatment may include intravenous fluids, antibiotics to prevent infection, and pain medications. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove dead tissue and promote healing.
What to Do After a Burn Injury in Portland
If you or someone you know suffers a burn injury, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity of the burn, treatment may involve over-the-counter pain medications or prescription topical ointments, as well as skin grafts or surgical excision.
After receiving medical treatment, there are several steps that should be taken to ensure a successful recovery:
- Follow your doctor's orders: It is important to follow all of your doctor's instructions and take all prescribed medications as directed.
- Monitor the affected area: Regularly monitor the affected area for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge.
- Get enough rest: Rest is an essential part of the healing process. Make sure to get plenty of rest to help your body recover.
- Seek legal assistance: If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Portland personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Who Can Be Considered Liable for A Burn Injury in Portland?
When a person suffers a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence in Portland, they may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. In order to be successful, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a duty of care toward them and that this duty was breached, causing the injury. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:
- Manufacturers: Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are free from defects or design flaws that could cause injury. If a defective product causes a burn injury, the manufacturer may be held liable.
- Property owners: Property owners are responsible for ensuring that their premises are safe for visitors and guests. If a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to prevent burn injuries, they may be held liable for any resulting damages.
What Compensation Can I Get From A Portland Burn Injury?
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence in Portland, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your losses.
Victims of burn injuries may be able to receive financial compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Victims of burn injuries may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, including the cost of emergency care, doctor visits, hospital stays, and medication.
- Lost wages: Victims may be able to recover compensation for any wages that were lost due to the injury. This includes both past and future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: Victims may also be eligible for compensation for any physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the injury
Statute of Limitation for A Burn Injury in Oregon
The Statute of Limitations for filing a burn injury claim in Portland, Oregon, is two years from the date of the injury. (ORS 12.110) This means that all claims must be filed within two years of the date that the injury occurred, or else they will be barred by law.
Some exceptions to the time limits may apply. Our Portland burn injury attorney can help you determine if any exceptions apply to your burn injury lawsuit.
Contact Our Portland Burn Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a burn accident, contact our experienced Portland burn injury lawyers as soon as possible. The personal injury attorneys at Goldberg & Loren have the experience and resources necessary to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Our lawyers will review your case and determine all liable parties so that we can seek maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
The amount of compensation that you can receive for a burn injury case will depend on the specifics of your case and the damages sustained. Generally, a burn injury case may be worth an amount that covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. If a loved one has died as a result of their burn injury, their family may be able to pursue compensation for funeral costs and other damages.
The process for a burn injury claim in Portland requires a few steps. First, the injured person must prove that they were owed a duty of care by the defendant and that this duty was breached, resulting in their injuries.
This can be done through medical records and other evidence of negligence. Once the fault has been established, the injured person will need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party and begin negotiating a settlement.
The settlement process may involve negotiations between the parties, mediation, or other methods of dispute resolution.
Burn injuries can range in severity and may include anything from minor first-degree burns to more serious third-degree burns. Depending on the cause of the burn, victims may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against liable parties. This can include premises liability claims, product liability claims, or even medical malpractice claims.
We Represent Those Who Have Experienced a Burn Injury in the Following Cities and Communities Near Portland, Oregon:
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Happy Valley
- Clackamas County, OR
- Clark County, WA
- Columbia County, OR
- Multnomah County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Washington County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Yamhill County, OR
