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Liability in a burn injury case will depend on the cause of the accident. A negligent driver, the manufacturer of a defective product, or a property owner who failed to maintain a safe building could be at fault in your accident.
If you’ve suffered burns in an accident, you need a Washington, DC burn injury lawyer to help you prove liability and pursue compensation. Filing a personal injury lawsuit is your best chance for full compensation, but you need to know who is liable for your injuries before starting your claim.
When you consult with Regan Zambri Long, we will gather the facts of your case to ensure that all liable parties are held accountable for the harm they have caused. Call our personal injury law firm today to schedule your free consultation.
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Burns are common personal injuries that occur in many different kinds of accidents. The linchpin in DC personal injury claims is negligence:
DC law denies compensation to anyone who contributed to an accident or injury. A liable party may use this harsh contributory negligence standard to prevent you from recovering the compensation you are owed.
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An experienced DC burn injury lawyer can help you prove negligence and liability while protecting your legal rights.
Burn injuries fall into one of several categories:
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The Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center treats more than 1,200 acute burn patients each year from the DC Metro area. Burn injuries are caused by many different accidents, including:
Car accident victims may suffer burn injuries from external sources, chemicals, or electrical currents. Motorcyclists are especially susceptible to road rash following a crash. Liability for these burn injuries depends on what caused the crash.
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Burn injuries caused by defective products can affect victims of all ages, from children to elderly adults. Product liability cases cover all burn types, as everything from food to toys to equipment can experience defects.
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Properties and buildings can be unsafe for many reasons, regardless of the type of property, building, or business.
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Landlords are liable for unsafe buildings and appliances. Appliances that catch fire, exposed electrical wires, and flawed water heaters can all cause burn injuries to tenants. Landlords can often be sued in these premises liability cases.
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Tanning salon patrons may be at risk for radiation burns if the beds are faulty or if the employees are negligent. One study suggests more than 3,000 patrons are injured annually in tanning salons, and nearly 80 percent of the injuries are burns. The business can be held liable if negligence caused your injuries.
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Business owners are liable for burn injuries caused by their employees’ negligence or for failure to ensure chemicals or other burn-inducing products are secured.
Workplace burn injuries are generally covered under DC workers’ compensation claims. DC workers experience the whole gamut of burns: thermal, friction, radiation, electrical, and chemical burns. When a burn injury is caused by a third party, employees have the right to sue the liable party for compensation.
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Any third party whose negligence causes an accident can be liable for the burn injuries they cause.
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Your burn injury claim may involve other defendants.
Determining who is liable for your burn injuries requires a thorough review of your case. Multiple parties may share liability. Hiring an experienced DC burn injury lawyer from Regan Zambri Long is your best chance to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve.
Once you’ve determined liability and established negligence in your burn injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for your physical and emotional trauma. Approximately 1.25 million people are burned nationwide each year, according to the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation.
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Burn victims are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
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You should seek medical attention immediately after an accident to create a medical record of your injuries. Keep any photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and any witness contact information.
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Call an experienced DC personal injury law firm for a consultation to discuss your next steps and liability. Your lawyer will then build your case and file the appropriate legal paperwork to pursue compensation.
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During the discovery phase, information and evidence will be exchanged to further establish the facts of the case. Your lawyer will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the liable party. If negotiations fail, your lawyer will take your case before a judge and jury to demand fair compensation.
To value your economic or monetary losses, you can keep track of all expenses related to your injury, including lost wages and medical bills. You will want to consult with an expert attorney or other professional to calculate the future losses of your injury, including future medical treatment and lost earning capacity.
Valuing your non-monetary losses is more challenging. Burn victims can recover compensation for:
To begin valuing your case, your lawyer will consult your medical records to determine the severity of your burn. More severe burns generally require more extensive medical treatment and have more lasting impacts. However, the surface area a burn covers also factors into the severity of the injury.
First-degree burns are often superficial, impacting only the outer layer of skin. Many first-degree burns are minor injuries, though if the burn covers a large percentage of your body’s surface area, it can be more serious.
Partial-thickness burns go two layers deep and can cause permanent scarring, blisters, and significant pain. Many second-degree burns are initially treated in the emergency room but do not require extensive treatment.
Severe third-degree burns destroy the outer and inner layers of skin and can impact muscles, tendons, and even bone. Victims require medical treatment for the burned skin, as well as secondary complications. Victims may need skin grafts or amputation and often suffer permanent disfigurement.
Fourth-degree burns and higher are less common but catastrophic for victims. Life-threatening burns are susceptible to infection and can often turn fatal for patients.
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Once you have determined what degree of burns you suffered, you can begin working with medical professionals to understand the immediate medical costs of your injuries, as well as the long-term care costs. Victims requiring skin grafts or who experience tissue cell death will require more follow-up care than a superficial first-degree burn.
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Washington, DC, law gives burn injury victims three years from the accident to file an injury lawsuit. Your attorney will be using that time to investigate and prove your case. But you will also use that time to understand the extent of your serious injuries and possible recovery.
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It takes time to understand how permanent disfigurement or an amputation affects your mental and emotional health. But you are entitled to compensation for these catastrophic injuries following more serious burn accidents. Serious burn injuries can also cause victims to lose enjoyment in life and hobbies, which are difficult to value.
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Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC, burn injury lawyers account for all your losses and damages. You don’t have to try to value your burn injury claim yourself. Call us today so we can support you during this challenging time.
When someone else’s negligence causes serious burn injuries, you deserve compensation. Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC, burn injury attorneys have decades of experience with all degrees and types of burn injury cases.
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We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any fees until we make a recovery in your favor. Whether you’ve suffered a superficial second-degree burn or a catastrophic fourth-degree burn, our lawyers can help.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.