RI BURN INJURY ATTORNEY
A serious burn is one of the most painful and potentially deadly injuries a person can suffer. Serious burns that are not may fatal require lengthy medical care and carry a high risk of infection. Burns are commonly caused by household and structure fires, car crashes, workplace accidents, defective products and various forms of negligent or reckless behavior.
Here in Rhode Island, we are especially sensitive to the needs of burn injury victims and their families. Our state was the site of one of the worst structure fires that has ever occurred. Many of us lost friends, neighbors and family members on the night of the Station fire.
The law firm of Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, works with victims and the families of victims who have suffered serious burns in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence in homes, in car accidents, at places of business and elsewhere. We achieve compensation to help burn victims with medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering and other losses.
Contact us now to for a free review of your burn injury claim and a discussion of your legal rights and options.
Causes and Types of Burns
Some burn injuries are caused by some source of open flame. Other serious burns may be caused by contact with hot objects (thermal contact burns), electrical currents, caustic chemicals, X-rays or radiation.
Burn injuries are classified by severity:
- First-degree burns damage the outer layer (epidermis) of the skin without blistering.
- Second-degree burns damage the epidermis and the layer beneath it (dermis). A deep second-degree burn may leave a scar.
- Third-degree burns damage or destroy the skin and underlying tissue, and may cause nerve damage. Third-degree burns typically require skin grafts, which can be extremely painful.
- Fourth-degree burns damage muscle, tendons and bones, and may leave the skin blackened or charred. A fourth-degree burn is often fatal. The victim may have no pain because of extensive nerve damage.
DO I HAVE A CASE?
If you think you may have a car accident case, contact us now for a FREE consultation
HOW BURN INJURIES OCCUR
More than 450,000 people are treated for burn injuries in emergency rooms each year, according to the American Burn Association. About 40,000 burn victims are hospitalized each year, and about 4,000 die.
Burn fatalities include about 2,550 deaths each year from residential fires, 300 from fires in motor vehicle crashes, about 400 from contact with electricity, scalding liquids or hot objects, and 150 from non-residential fires. Burn injuries can also be caused by medical malpractice.
BURN INJURIES AT HOME
Cooking is the leading cause of burns in the home. Most injuries occur when a hot burner, oven or other cooking implement comes in contact with the skin, or when hot foods or liquids are spilled onto a person. Smoking causes the most home fires, particularly when smoking materials are not completely extinguished, or when matches and lighters are not kept safely out of the reach of children.
BURNED AT WORK
In the workplace, burns are often caused by contact with hot objects such as tools and equipment, electrical currents or caustic chemicals or gasses. Workers are most likely to be burned on the head, face, arms or upper body. People who work in kitchens or industrial settings are most likely to be burned in an occupational accident.
CAR ACCIDENT BURNS
Car accidents also cause burn injuries. Airbags frequently produce burn injuries on the face and arms. Vehicle fires fueled by leaking gasoline are also a significant hazard.
LEGAL ACTION ON BEHALF OF BURN VICTIMS IN RHODE ISLAND
Widespread or severe burns are catastrophic and disfiguring injuries that often require painful skin grafts and plastic surgery. A serious burn injury means a lengthy recovery that may include multiple surgeries. Even with the best medical treatment, victims of severe burns can die from infections or other complications.
Burn victims or close relatives of victims who died because of serious burns may pursue personal injury or wrongful death claims if someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to the injuries. For example, a failure to have proper fire safety equipment, including smoke detectors, smoke alarms or sprinkler systems, may be a basis for liability in a structure fire.
Our firm is proud to represent families of fire victims who have been fatally injured because of negligence by landlords, drivers, business owners, product manufacturers and others. We work hard to obtain compensation from the negligent parties and their insurance companies, as well as any other potential sources of recovery.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Communication is key for me, and my M&N team was on point with the level of communication they provided. The get-well cards and flowers after surgery were just a special touch that brightened my day. I wasn’t treated like another number or another case, they really made me feel like family. They really care for you and your wellbeing. Words will never express but I will forever be grateful for all they have done for me. Thank you !!!!!”
– Heather P.
DISCUSS YOUR BURN INJURY CLAIM WITH OUR RI LAWYERS AT NO COST
A Providence personal injury attorney on the experienced legal team of Marasco & Nesselbush is committed to helping people who were seriously injured by burns recover compensation from those responsible for their injuries.
If you or a loved one suffered serious burns caused by an unsafe condition at a home or business, a defective product, or another person’s negligent or reckless behavior, please fill out our contact form or call our Rhode Island personal injury attorneys today for a free evaluation of your case.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic – Burns
- American Burn Association – Burn Incidence and Treatment in the United States: 2013 Fact Sheet
