While a number of accidents result in concussions, broken bones, and other contusion-related injuries, burn injuries make up a good majority of accident injuries as well. Burns are in a different scale of injuries since they require more extensive medical care as well as long-lasting treatment.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a burn injury, you know all too well the lasting results of any burn, especially very serious burns. If someone else caused your burn injury, that party may be held financially responsible for your medical bills, lost wages and other losses. Discuss a potential burn injury claim with an attorney at Knowles Law Firm today for more information.
Why Choose Us?
- We have over 50 years of experience handling personal injury claims on behalf of our clients. We understand how burn injury cases work in Omaha.
- Our results speak for themselves. We have collected millions of dollars in successful settlements and verdicts for our clients.
- Your attorney will personalize your legal experience. We take the time to tailor our legal services for each case and client to achieve the best possible case results.
- We accept burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay us anything for our services unless you win your case.
How a Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help
You are not alone as a burn injury survivor in Omaha, Nebraska. An attorney from Knowles Law Firm can guide you through each phase of the legal process, explaining and protecting your rights along the way. Our lawyers can provide valuable assistance during this difficult time in your life in several ways, including:
- Knowledge of the laws and legal processes involved in bringing a burn injury claim in Nebraska.
- An in-depth investigation into who or what caused your burn injuries.
- The collection of evidence that could be used to support your injury claim.
- An accurate evaluation of the financial damages to which you may be entitled.
- Aggressive negotiation and litigation strategies used against insurance companies.
- The ability to take your case to trial and advocate for you in court in Omaha, if necessary.
You can trust your attorney to navigate complicated legal processes and procedures for you while you focus on healing from your burn injuries. An attorney will protect your rights and best interests when going up against a defendant or insurance provider. Meanwhile, you can concentrate on recovering physically and emotionally as a burn injury survivor.
Rate of Burn Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 1.1 million people are injured by burns each year which are severe enough to require medical attention.[1] Out of this number, approximately 20,000 cases involve severe burns which cover at least 25% of the body surface. Burn injuries can stem from severe car accidents which involve explosions or from workplace accidents that lead to chemical burns.
Regardless of the type of accident, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries after a terrible accident leading to burn injuries. Burns are not an injury that can be put into a sling for recovery. Victims of burn injuries often must live with the scarring of the accident for the rest of their lives.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries occur when the body’s tissues come into contact with a source of heat (thermal burns), electricity (electrical burns), radiation (radiation burns), or an acidic or caustic chemical (chemical burns). Burns can damage the first two layers of skin, known as the epidermis and dermis, and extend into deeper tissues – including muscle and bone – in severe cases.
Burn injuries can occur in a number of situations in Omaha, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents and car fires
- House or structural fires
- Arson-related fires
- Cooking fires
- Contact with hot liquids or steam
- Explosions
- Workplace disasters
- Industrial accidents
- Oil rig explosions
- Chemical spills
- Exposures to hazardous substances
- Electrocutions or electric shocks
- Wildfires
- Excessive exposure to the sun
- Dangerous product defects
A serious burn injury can occur in a preventable accident at work, on the road, at a store or business, or right at home. If an investigation of your burn injury incident determines that someone else reasonably should have prevented the accident, that person or party may be held liable, or legally and financially responsible, for your related bills and losses.
Types of Burn Injuries
Burns are classified by level of degree: first degree, second degree, and third degree.
First degree burns are the most minor type of burns and only involve the top layer of skin. Sunburns are common types of first degree burns. First degree burns are typically treated with at-home remedies and do not typically require medical treatment.
Second degree burns involve the top two layers of skin and require further medical care. Second degree burns could potentially lead to the loss of some skin. The burn must be immediately immersed in cool water or with cool compresses after the injury occurs and an effort must be made to prevent the victim from going into shock. Serious second degree burns require immediate medical care to prevent further complications from arising.
Third degree burns are the most serious types of burns. These burns will penetrate all skin layers and result in the loss of tissue. It is important to take immediate steps after the burn injury occurs to prevent future damage from occurring. Surprisingly, third degree burns are often painless – the only pain a victim will experience is that caused by surrounding second and first degree burns.
It is important that you recognize the type of burn injury immediately after it is received so you and any witnesses can assist you in receiving the appropriate medical care.
The Long-Term Consequences of a Burn Injury
Burn injuries can be extremely devastating both physically and psychologically for a victim. Tissues that sustain serious burns might never recover fully. A burn survivor could experience many long-term effects and health consequences from a second-degree or third-degree burn, including:
- Nerve damage
- Thermoregulation issues
- Impacts on fine motor skills
- Limited mobility due to contractures
- Physical scarring and disfigurement
- Chronic pain
- Respiratory problems
- Increased susceptibility to infection
- Amputations
- Psychological trauma
- Wrongful deat
Healing and recovering from a burn injury often takes immense medical intervention, including surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, physical therapy and long-term care. A victim may have to deal with the consequences of a burn injury for life – including post-traumatic stress disorder from the emotional trauma of the incident.
Burn Injury Recovery
Burn injuries can be the result of car accidents, construction accidents, work accidents, or other types of accidents that involve chemicals or fuels. These terrifying accidents are often preventable, and therefore were caused by one party’s negligent behavior. The responsible party should be held accountable for their actions. As the victim of a burn injury, you are entitled to seek the following from the responsible party:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
The cost of medical care alone can be substantial for a severe burn injury. A survivor may require years or a lifetime of ongoing care and treatment from specialists. An experienced Omaha personal injury attorney will be able to assist you in calculating the full amount of damages you are entitled to receive based on your burn injuries.
Who Is Liable for a Burn Injury in Omaha?
Liability for a burn injury in Omaha will depend on the circumstances surrounding the incident. In general, liability in a personal injury case goes to the individual or entity most at fault for causing the victim’s harm. This could be a party that broke a law or breached a duty of care. If someone else would have behaved differently under the same or similar circumstances and prevented the victim’s burns, the defendant may be held liable.
Potential parties who might be liable for a burn injury in Omaha include:
- A property owner: if a property owner, property manager or landlord knew of a burn injury hazard but failed to address it, he or she could be held responsible for a visitor’s burns.
- A product manufacturer: a product liability claim could be filed against a manufacturer or distributor for a dangerous or defective item that causes consumer burn injuries.
- An employer: burn injuries that occur at work could lead to a lawsuit against a negligent employer, such as one that failed to provide proper safety training or protective gear to workers.
- A motor vehicle operator: a car accident claim could be filed against a driver who is at fault for a crash if a victim suffered burn injuries in the wreck.
- A utility company: if a wildfire was sparked by a utility pole or downed power line, a utility company could be held liable for negligent equipment maintenance or repairs.
Other parties could also be held liable for a victim’s burn injuries in various circumstances, such as a construction company, contractor, health care provider, maintenance company or a third party. An attorney at Knowles Law Firm can investigate your incident, determine the cause of your burn injuries and identify the correct defendant(s) to hold responsible for your losses.
How to File a Burn Injury Claim in Omaha
If you suffer a burn injury due to someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, you may have the opportunity to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit in pursuit of financial compensation. Take the following steps to file your claim.
- Seek medical care and document your treatments, expenses and diagnostic paperwork.
- Report the accident and your burn injury to the police, an employer or a property owner.
- Preserve evidence of the cause of your burn, such as witness statements and photographs.
- Do not admit fault for your accident or burn injury.
- Contact an attorney to discuss your legal options for filing a burn injury case in Omaha.
- Cooperate with an investigation into the cause of your burn injury.
- Trust an attorney to fill out and file the required paperwork to initiate a claim for you.
- File a lawsuit before Nebraska’s filing deadline of four years.
- Engage in negotiations for a settlement with an insurance provider.
- Hire an attorney to represent you during a burn injury trial, if necessary.
It is crucial to work with an attorney from the beginning of your burn injury case. A lawyer will guide you through each step that it takes to pursue fair financial compensation for your losses, helping you avoid common and costly mistakes.
How Long Will My Burn Injury Case Take?
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for burn injury claims in Omaha. Every case and legal process is unique. The only way to obtain an accurate estimate of how long your burn injury case might take is by consulting with an attorney. A number of factors could impact the length of your injury claim, including:
- The severity of your burn injuries
- The length of your recovery time
- How long an investigation takes
- The process of evidence collection
- If there is a liability dispute
- Whether your case settles or has to go to trial
The average burn injury settlement can take around three to six months and up to one year to be achieved. If a case has to go to trial, however, expect the legal process to take over a year from start to finish. A personal injury trial in Nebraska could take multiple years, depending on the complexity of the case and how busy the courthouse is at the time.
Should I Accept a Settlement?
No, you should not accept a settlement for your burn injury claim until you have consulted with an experienced attorney in Omaha. Insurance companies rarely make fair initial settlement offers. Instead, they intentionally undervalue claims in an attempt to save money on payouts and protect their profits. Accepting the first settlement offer could put you at risk of settling for significantly less than you need and deserve for a severe burn injury. Consult with an attorney at Knowles Law Firm to learn the potential value of your claim and get professional assistance during insurance settlement negotiations.
The Knowles Law Firm | Omaha, Nebraska
If you or a loved one were injured in a burn accident, do not hesitate to contact the attorneys of the Knowles Law Firm. Our attorneys have years of experience in handling severe burn injuries, and we will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact our Omaha, Nebraska office today for your initial free consultation.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/factsheets/public/burns.pdf
