Burn Injury Lawyer Kennewick WA

Kennewick Burn Injury Lawyers

Compassionate advocacy for burn victims throughout WA

Burn injuries are painful in many ways. The initial physical pain can be unbearable. Even with the best treatments, many patients live with pain at the burn site for the rest of their lives. The emotional pains can be unbearable, too, especially if the burns cover a noticeable part of your body. Even with skin grafts and plastic surgery, many burn victims live with a loss of self-esteem, fail to find work, and struggle to live a normal life.

At Telaré Law, our Kennewick burn injury lawyers work with specialists, plastic surgeons, and other doctors to show how extensive your burns are, what type of treatments you need, the complications that may arise, and how the burns are affecting every part of your life. We work closely with investigators, product safety experts, and other professionals to show how the accident that caused your burns happened – and who is liable. We have the experience, resources, and skills you want on your side. Call us today to get started.

How common are burn injuries?

The American Burn Association estimates that:

  • 486,000 people receive medical treatment for burn injuries every year.
  • 2,745 people die from residential fires each year.
  • 310 people die from burns caused by car crashes yearly.
  • 3 out of every 5 burn injury victims are admitted to burn centers. The remaining burn victims are admitted to acute care hospitals.

What are the types of burn injuries?

Per Stanford Health Care, there are four primary types of burn injuries:

  • Thermal burns. These burns are caused by scalding liquids, steam, flames, hot metals, and other external heat sources. The burns increase skin temperature and tissue temperature, damaging tissue cells.
  • Electrical burns. These burns are caused by electric current – either direct current (DC) or alternating current (DC).
  • Chemical burns. These burns are due to exposure to toxins in solvents, detergents, strong acids, and alkalis. Chemical burns affect the skin and the eyes.
  • Radiation burns. These burns are caused by prolonged UV exposure to the sun or other radiation sources such as X-rays.

How are burns classified by severity?

Burns are grouped by severity from least severe to most severe. The Mayo Clinic classifies burn severity as follows:

  • First-degree burns. These are minor burns that only affect the epidermis – the outer skin layer. Symptoms include pain and redness.
  • Second-degree burns. These are burns that affect the epidermis and the dermis. The dermis is the second skin layer. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and splotchy skin. The pain may be intense. Blisters may appear. Second-degree burns can cause scars.
  • Third-degree burns. These burns reach into the fat layer underneath the skin. The burns may look brown, black, or white. Third-degree burns can cause numbness and destroy nerves. (If the nerves are destroyed, then the victim may actually experience very little pain.) The bones and tendons may be damaged too. Victims may have respiratory difficulties and other severe complications. Victims of third-degree burns may have deep scars, and usually require skin grafts if the burn area is large enough.

Some medical organizations also recognize fourth-degree burns, which as classified as those which can penetrate bone and muscle. Fourth-degree burns are almost always fatal.

Complications from burn injuries

Aside from the traumatic nature of the burn itself, victims may suffer additional injuries and harms from complications arising from the injury or its treatment. Possible complications include bacterial infections, sepsis, loss of fluids including blood, hypothermia, contractures, and other dangers. Burns have been linked to cardiac failures, and some victims may also suffer strokes. Scars and keloids are common. In some cases, burn victims may be unable to regulate their own body temperature, as the heat or chemicals will cause the pores to fuse.

Some victims may also sustain burns internally. In cases involving fire or toxic exposure, the victim can inhale ash, smoke, and embers as well as chemicals, causing burns to the mouth, tongue, throat, and esophagus.

What are the leading causes of burn injuries in Kennewick?

The causes of burn injuries depend on the type of burn. Common causes for burn injuries include:

  • Fires in homes, at businesses, and on worksites
  • Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, especially if there is any type of fuel spill
  • Exposure to dangerous chemicals at construction sites, manufacturing sites, hospitals, restaurants, and other locations
  • Exposure to radiation at hospitals, medical offices, and tanning salons
  • Exposure to power lines and power tools or electronic products
  • Defective products, including space heaters, lithium-ion batteries, and vehicle parts

What are the treatments for burn injuries?

Burn injury victims can be treated at an emergency room or a burn injury center. Normally if the burns cover more than 10% of the accident victim’s body area, are very deep, are on the face, groin, or feet, or meet other criteria, the victim is taken to a burn center.

The treatments vary depending on the type of burn and the severity of the burn. The Mayo Clinic summarizes the treatments:

  • Surgeries. Surgeries may include skin grafts and plastic surgery. Skin grafts use healthy skin from your body to replace scar tissue caused by the burn injuries. Some victims may require multiple skin grafts. Plastic surgery helps improve the appearance of any scars and increases joint flexibility. Other surgical care may include procedures to help the burn victim breathe or obtain nourishment and ease blood flow.
  • Treatments. Medical treatments include ultrasound mist therapy to “clean and stimulate the wound tissue.” IV fluids may be required to prevent dehydration. Some patients require morphine and anti-anxiety medications. Creams and ointments may be used for wounding healing and to help prevent infections. Special wound dressings may be required. IV antibiotics may be necessary if you do develop an infection. A tetanus shot may be necessary.
  • Rehabilitation. Physical therapy can help stretch the skin, increase strength, and increase mobility. Occupational therapy helps with daily living tasks.
  • Emotional care. Many severe burn injuries require psychological help to cope with their scarring and disfigurement. The care focuses on the victim’s confidence, self-esteem, self-consciousness, anxiety, and depression.

What are the damages for burn injury claims in Kennewick?

Our Kennewick trial lawyers are seasoned personal injury lawyers. We have a strong record of success in negligence cases and product liability cases, proving you don’t have to go far to get the legal help you need. We demand compensation for your:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Property damage
  • Loss of consortium

We work with your doctors to fully understand what treatments you will need for the rest of your life, what complications may arise, how awful you feel, and how your burn injuries are affecting every part of your daily life – including your ability to enjoy time with your family and friends.

Is there a burn injury lawyer near me?

Telaré Law meets with burn injury patients at our offices, at the hospital, at a burn injury center, and at your home. Our Kennewick is located at 819 South Auburn St. We also have a Richland office.

Speak with a respected Kennewick burn injury lawyer today

At Telaré Law, we handle the injuries that change lives forever. Our Kennewick burn injury lawyers understand how you are affected every moment of every day, every day of every year, for the rest of your life. We demand that whoever caused you harm pay all the damages you’re due.

To talk with an experienced strong trial lawyer, call us at 509-737-8500 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent all burn injury victims on contingency. Proudly serving Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and all Southeast Washington.

Telaré Law PLLC in WA