Experienced representation for Washington victims with serious burn injuries
Severe burn injuries are painful, physically and emotionally. Most victims need to be transported to special burn centers. Most Richland accident victims with catastrophic burn injuries require surgery, skin grafts, and plastic surgery. There’s a constant risk of infection. If the burns are on your face, arms, or any other visible part of your body – it’s likely you’ll need psychological help to cope with the loss of confidence and self-esteem.
At Telaré Law, our Southeast Washington personal injury lawyers work with burn centers, burn specialists, dermatologists, respiratory doctors, and plastic surgeons throughout the Tri-Cities area. We are skilled at showing what caused your burns, and who should be held responsible. We explain to juries and adjusters all the ways burn injuries affect a victim’s life. Our lawyers have a very strong record of obtaining jury verdicts and settling claims with insurance companies.
How can we help?
- How common are burn injuries?
- What are the main types of burn injuries?
- How are burn injuries classified?
- Why do Richland burn injuries happen?
- How are burn injuries treated?
- What are potential complications from burn injuries?
- How much is my Richland burn injury case worth?
- Is there a burn injury lawyer near me?
How common are burn injuries?
The American Burn Association estimates that:
- Close to a half-million people are treated for burn injuries every year.
- 2,745 people die from residential fires yearly.
- Car crashes cause 310 burn-related deaths each year.
- 60% of burn injury victims are admitted to burn centers.
- 40% of burn injury victims are treated at acute care hospitals.
What are the main types of burn injuries?
According to Stanford Health Care, there are four primary types of burn injuries:
- Thermal burns. These heat burns are due to hot flames from fires, stoves, liquids, steam, and other heat sources. They damage the layers of the skin, tissue cells, and nerves.
- Electrical burns. These burn injuries are due to electrical currents – either direct current (DC) or alternating current (DC).
- Chemical burns. Chemical burns are common in construction work, restaurants, and the cleaning industry. They damage the eyes and skin. Common chemical toxins include detergents, strong acids, solvents, and alkalis.
- Radiation burns. These burns are due to X-ray exposure, prolonged UV exposure, and other causes.
How are burn injuries classified?
Burns are classified by their severity:
- First-degree burns. These are the least serious burns. They damage the epidermis, the first skin layer. First-degree burns normally heal within a few days.
- Second-degree burns. These burns damage the first two layers of skin – the epidermis and the dermis. They are painful. Swelling and red blisters are common. There is a risk of infection. Second-degree burn injuries normally heal with time and prompt medical care.
- Third-degree burns. These burns, called full-thickness burns, affect the deep tissue in addition to the first two skin layers. The burn area may look charred and black, red, or white in color. The area is normally numb because of the damage to the nerves. Third-degree burns require skin grafting because these burns don’t heal on their own.
- Fourth-degree burns. These burns destroy muscle, fat, the skin, and sometimes bone.
The severity of the bone depends on the degree, the size, the victim’s age, the location of the burn, the type of burn, whether there are other injuries, and whether the victim inhaled any smoke or toxins.
Why do Richland burn injuries happen?
At Telaré Law, we represent Southeast Washington victims who suffer any type of burn due to:
- A fire in a home, business, or work location
- Car accidents, truck accidents, or motorcycle accidents
- Poor safety precautions at construction sites, hospitals, manufacturing locations, and other places that use dangerous chemicals
- Radiation exposure at medical offices and facilities
- Radiation exposure at tanning salons
- Electric shock exposure when using power tools or working near power lines
- Defective space heaters, vehicle parts, lithium-ion batteries, and other defective products
How are burn injuries treated?
Catastrophic burn injury victims usually require surgery to treat the burns. Most victims require skin grafts to replace the scarred tissue and plastic surgery to improve the victim’s appearance. Multiple surgeries may be necessary. According to the Mayo Clinic, initial care may also include ultrasound mist therapy, IV fluids, anti-anxiety medications, creams, ointments, wound dressings, and antibiotics. A tetanus shot may be necessary.
Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center answers a few common burn injury questions:
- What are skin grafts and donor sites? “Skin grafts are thin layers of skin that surgeons take from an unburned area and then surgically place on the burned area.” Donor sites include your thigh, back, and other uninjured areas – other than the face. There are many different types of skin grafts including autografts, split-thickness skin grafts, full-thickness skin grafts, allografts and homografts, xenografts, meshed grafts, and sheet grafts.
- What is the risk of infection? The risk of infection is possible when the accident happens, during surgery, and during the healing process. The healthcare providers, victims, and family and friends should practice good hand hygiene.
- What about nutritional needs? “Healing from a burn injury requires more calories and protein than healing from other types of injury.”
- What about the victim’s mental health? Burns are very traumatic. Many Richland burn injury victims suffer from anxiety, PTSD, addiction, sleep disorders, and depression. Psychologists, social workers, and support groups do help.
- What is involved in the rehabilitation process? Victims work with different types of therapists including physical therapists (who help with strength and movement) and occupational therapists (who help with everyday activities such as bathing and assistive devices). Some victims also work with a speech therapist who helps with communication, swallowing, and speaking.
Victims usually receive medical care from burn centers, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient rehabilitation centers.
Pain, tiredness, and severe itching are common symptoms.
What are potential complications from burn injuries?
Richland burn injury physicians and health providers need to anticipate the possible complications. These risks include bacterial infections, loss of bodily fluids, sepsis, contractures, and hypothermia. Burns may cause cardiac disorders including strokes. Scars and keloids are common. Burn injury victims in the Tri-Cities region may also suffer toxic exposures from fire embers, smoke, or ash.
How much is my Richland burn injury case worth?
Our Tri-Cities personal injury lawyers understand what damage factors juries consider, and what arguments and facts persuade insurance companies. We are respected across Southeast Washington for our strong record of results – proving that convincing legal help is nearby. We demand that liable defendants pay for the following – for as long your life is affected by the burn injuries:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Damage to your property
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial expenses, if your loved one dies
We work with your physicians and therapists to show what medical care you need, and how much your burn injuries affect your physical and mental well-being.
Is there a burn injury lawyer near me?
Telaré Law advises burn injury victims at our offices, at the hospital, at a burn injury center, and at your home. Our Richland office is located at 1321 Columbia Park Trail, Suite B, Richland, WA. We also meet with clients at our Kennewick office.
Talk with a knowledgeable Richland burn injury lawyer today
At Telaré Law, we represent clients with permanent injuries. Our Richland burn injury lawyers understand your physical trauma, and how you think about your burn injury every day of your life. We demand that those people and businesses that caused your burns pay the maximum amount they owe you.
To speak with a respected tough trial attorney, call us at 509-736-3160 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent every burn injury victim on contingency. Proudly serving Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and all Southeast Washington.