Santa Ana Burn Injury Lawyer

A burn injury is one of the most excruciating and debilitating. Burn injury survivors suffer some of the most catastrophic and disfiguring injuries imaginable. Additionally, those injured in a burn accident typically also suffer tormenting psychological and emotional turmoil related to their disability and disfigurement.

Severe burn injuries typically require an extended period of convalescence. The melted skin, damaged tissue and severe nerve damage can lead to a lifetime of devastation. Severe burn injury survivors will incur mounting medical expenses that often last for many years and may not be covered fully by insurance.

Degrees of Burn Injuries

• Burns can cause redness, swelling, blistering, shock and even death.

• Burns are categorized into 3 types by severity:
  • FIRST-DEGREE BURNS damage only the outer layer of skin:

The skin is generally red and some pain is present but blistering does not typically appear. The affected skin is often dry in appearance.

• • SECOND-DEGREE BURNS damage the outer layer and the layer underneath:

These can be classified as partial or full thickness, depending on the severity of the burn.

In partial thickness burns, blisters may appear and involve the entire epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and dermis (the thick under layer of the skin containing the nerve endings and hair follicles). These burns are red and wet in appearance and will be very painful. These heal without skin grafting but some minimal scarring can result.

In full thickness burns, the epidermis is destroyed and most of the dermis is affected. These burns require surgical removal of burned tissue and skin grafting is performed to begin the healing process.

• • THIRD-DEGREE BURNS damage or destroy the deepest layer of skin and tissues underneath:

Third degree burns are by far the most serious of burn injuries and always require immediate medical attention. All layers of the skin are destroyed. In addition, fat, muscle and even bone may be affected in such burns. Burned areas may be white or black in appearance and may take on a dry, leathery texture. In cases of third degree burns, call 911 or get to a hospital immediately.

Common Types of a Burn Injury

• Thermal burns — can be caused by hot objects or flames
• Scalds — can be caused by boiling water or other hot liquids
• Chemical burns — can be caused by chemicals and the volatile combinations of chemicals
• Burns from explosions — can be caused by car accidents, industrial or construction site accidents, or accidents within the home

Your Rights as a Burn Victim

If you have suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer can assist you through this very overwhelming time. Following a burn accident, you will want to retain an attorney as soon as possible. At the law offices of Brent Duque, our Santa Ana burn injury attorneys have the experience you need to protect your rights against insurance companies. You may be tempted to settle quickly, but the initial settlement offer is typically far less than the compensation you deserve.

Serious burns cause immediate trauma and damages that can be truly life-altering. We know that every case is different and every burn victim will face a unique set of struggles. We work with a variety of experts, including medical specialists, to help us assess the extent of your injuries and rehabilitation needs. We work closely with financial experts to help determine the extent of you economic losses. Our team of fire accident reconstruction engineers examine combustibility, temperature, burn rates, explosive coefficients, hazardous chemical reactions and other variables. We will bring the right resources to effectively represent your case.

In a fatal burn injury, the victim’s spouse, relatives and dependents have a right to seek damages as well. Even if the person who caused the accident is charged with a criminal penalty, you have a right to sue in civil court and get compensated for your loss.

Contact our Orange County Personal Injury Attorney at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.