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Why You Need a Burn Injury Attorney in Michigan
Each year, approximately 500,000 people suffer from burn injuries serious enough to require emergency room treatment and/or hospitalization. In fact, burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental death, next to automobile accidents. While advances in treatment methods have increased the survival rates for burn victims, many still experience life-threatening complications. These may include dangerous conditions such as infections, respiratory problems and organ dysfunction. In addition, burn injury survivors often suffer lifelong effects that include permanent scarring, chronic pain and psychological trauma. If you or a loved one has been severely burned, a qualified burn injury attorney will help you achieve the best financial outcome.
Types of Burn Injuries
These are the four categories of burn injuries, in order of severity:
- First-degree burns
- Superficial second-degree burns
- Deep second-degree burns
- Third-degree burns
Third-degree burn injuries are usually the most dangerous. A third-degree burn typically destroys both the epidermal (surface) and dermal (middle) layers of skin and extends down to the subcutaneous (inner) layer.
Despite the severity of third-degree burns, victims may not experience as much initial pain as those with less serious burns. This is because more severe burns destroy more of the nerve endings that act as pain receptors. However, these burns are extremely serious and often result in death or life-threatening complications. Survivors typically need multiple reconstructive procedures that may include skin grafting or other surgical procedures.
Complications From Burn Injuries
Burn victims often experience complications that go beyond the site of the burn injury. Here are some examples:
- Lung damage or respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation
- Serious bacterial infection that invades the bloodstream (sepsis)
- Bone and joint problems caused by scar tissue that shortens or tightens skin, muscles and tendons
- Fluid loss, including low blood volume (hypovolemia)
- Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Permanent disfigurement
- Difficulty walking or using arms or hands
- Impaired function of major organs or bodily systems
- Gastrointestinal complications
- Blood clots and/or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from prolonged bed rest
Many of these conditions may not show up immediately after the accident. Therefore, you should consult a burn injury attorney as soon as possible to assist you in the next steps to recover the compensation you may be entitled to.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries occur for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Fire or flame
- Scalding from contact with hot steam or liquid
- Electric current
- Strong or flammable chemicals such as acid, lye or paint thinner or gasoline
- Hot metal or glass
- Fireworks
- Campfires
How an Experienced Burn Injury Attorney Can Help
Many burn injuries are caused by negligence. Individuals, businesses and product manufacturers are expected to exercise reasonable care to avoid injuring others. If your injury was caused by another person’s (or entity’s) negligence, you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
Here are some situations where negligence could be responsible for a serious burn injury:
- Failing to install and maintain smoke detectors in a hotel, workplace or business
- Electrical fire caused by faulty wiring
- Defective product
- Release of toxic gas or chemicals because of improper storage or equipment
- Chemical burns resulting from lack of safety precautions in a workplace
- Flammable clothing that does not meet legally mandated safety standards
- Explosions in industrial settings
- Electrical burns or electrocution due to exposed power lines or cables
The company or individual responsible for your injury may pressure you to settle for less than you deserve. In addition, proving negligence is a complex process that requires the legal expertise of an experienced burn injury attorney. Therefore, it’s important to contact us immediately if you or a loved one has been seriously injured.
Personal injury law is complicated, but finding the right attorney is simple.
Call 1-800-CALL-SAM today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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