Burn injuries can leave severe physical scars and emotional trauma. They can be incredibly painful, and then you have to go through with the trauma and potentially missed work from the incident. On top of excruciating initial pain, you may endure intensive treatments, permanent disfigurement, disabilities, and PTSD.
Lost income and medical bills piling up add to financial distress. An Arcadia personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice for your injury. Speak to an Arcadia burn injury attorney today.
Types of Burn Injuries
There are several types of burn injuries. They can happen anywhere, and it is important to know you can seek compensation. Some of the most common burn injuries include the following.
Workplace Chemical and Electrical Burns
You can get a chemical burn from hazardous materials, acids, and solvents not properly labeled, stored, or transported. Electrical burns can happen from high-voltage equipment malfunction, poor insulation, and lack of training. Employers are responsible for unsafe conditions.
Employers should have adequate training in handling hazardous equipment and materials. The training can significantly reduce the chances of injuries. Proper safety gear should be given to any employee who will be around any area that could result in a burn.
Burn injuries that happen at work are usually preventable. If your employer did not provide access to training or safety equipment, they can easily get the case turned against them. Your lawyer can help you determine if your employer is completely at fault.
Medical Laser Burns During Procedures
Errors in using high-powered lasers in surgeries and skin treatments can inflict serious accidental laser burns. Doctors and medical facilities should be held responsible through malpractice. This type of injury can cause life-altering injuries.
Burn victims usually require intensive emergency care. Long-term treatment involving skin grafts, debridement, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation are also common for this type of injury. Psychological counseling is also important, especially if there are intensive changes to the body being made after the injury.
Scarring and disabilities often remain lifelong burdens. While compensation cannot take this away, it can help take some of the burden off. Working with an attorney can help get you the most out of your case.
For a free legal consultation with a burn injury lawyer serving Arcadia, call (310) 896-2723
What to Do if You Experience a Burn Injury
Knowing exactly what to do if you get a burn can help. Taking the right steps can help your case. Take a look at the following to see what the next best steps are.
Get Emergency Medical Care
If you experience any significant burn injury, immediately call 911 or go to the emergency room. Serious burns require rapid specialized treatment to save lives, protect limbs, and preserve function. Do not underestimate the urgency of getting medical help fast, even if pain seems tolerable initially.
Report the Incident
Report the incident to your employer if it happened at work. You will likely have to fill out some paperwork. Notify the business if it occurred on their property. Proper reporting creates important records of how and where the burn happened.
Gather Evidence
Take detailed photos and videos of the actual burns. Make sure to include the accident circumstances. Photograph any hazards like chemical containers, defective products, and unsafe conditions that caused the incident.
Get Eyewitness Statements
Speak with any eyewitnesses present when the burn happened and get their full contact information. Ask them to provide written statements describing what they observed while the facts are still fresh in their minds. Credible witnesses help verify how the incident occurred.
Maintain Thorough Records
Keep complete copies of all medical records, doctors’ notes, and hospital bills. Keep a diary tracking expenses, lost income, daily struggles, and suffering due to burn injuries. Having the documents in order will help strengthen your case.
Arcadia Burn Injury Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Types of Proof You Should Have
You should have various forms of proof. This is vital for the best potential outcome for your case. Some of the proof that is non-negotiable includes the following.
Medical Records
Detailed medical records are vital in burn cases. They can help show proof by showing your medical journey after the incident Some of the most important records are:
- Emergency response and transport notes
- ER trauma care notes and burn unit admission notes
- Physician consult and surgery notes
- Injury diagnosis, sites, and severity of burns by degree
- Skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries
- Medications, treatments, therapy you need or had
- Progress notes and discharge summary
- Prognosis, permanency, disability analysis
Without having medical records, it can be hard to prove your case. As you visit your doctor each time, they document and update your case. This can greatly benefit your side of the story.
Incident Reports
Official reports from employers, businesses, and agencies provide important evidence of the burn incident. Statements given, causal factors noted, and findings of violations all add liability support. It is vital that you get the reports.
The reports have the time and date of the incident, which is important to back up your claim. They also have descriptive narratives of what the police officer or emergency personnel found upon arriving. If this matches up with your claim, it is easier for you to win your case.
You still can if you did not get your report the day it happened. If the police were involved at all in your case, you can go there and ask for a copy of the report. If emergency personnel were only there, you can access a copy by asking them.
Photos
Multiple photos through all stages of treatment are important. They should show the areas burned, the healing process, disfigurement, and any permanent effects. Photographs also prove there were hazardous conditions that led to the injury.
If you did not get a chance to take a photo when it happened, try your best to take photos of what you can now. For example, if your burn happened at work, see if someone can get a photo for you of the unsafe area. That can be shown as proof.
It would be hard for the other party to put the blame on you when you have photos to back up your side of the claim. Take photos of each step in your recovery. As you present them to the insurance company or court, they can see what you went through visually.
Witness Statements
First-hand observations by unbiased eyewitnesses are helpful. Statements help establish key details on what led to the incident. Witness evidence makes a stronger claim.
Think about who could have been around at the time of the incident. Ask if they could write down exactly what they recall. They can give the statement to you or your burn injury lawyer in Arcadia when they are finished.
For example, if your witness is a co-worker, this can prove that there are continuous unsafe environments. This would prove that your employer is negligent. A burn injury attorney in Arcadia can help you communicate with potential witnesses.
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Let Us Help You Get Justice so You Can Heal
The aftermath of a serious burn injury can feel overwhelming. An Arcadia burn injury lawyer can help you and your family recover from financial stress. We fight aggressively so you can concentrate on your own healing.
Do not let the negligence of others turn your life upside down without consequence. Our team is ready to help maximize your recovery and afford the care you need to heal. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight for the justice you deserve.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form