Burn Injuries
The United States Fire Administration stated that in 2010 there were 3,445 people who died as a result of fire incidents across the nation. These injuries are extremely painful and can lead to a life full of long-term chronic pain. In addition, many burn sufferers deal with the emotional effects of the event if they bare revealing large scars or became disfigured.
Burns are a type of bodily injury that can lead to nerve damage and deep tissue scarring that will never completely heal. Some burn victims have issues in the sunlight or extreme temperatures because of the sensitivity of the scar tissue. It can also limit your ability to perspire and react to other stimuli. With so devastating long-term symptoms, it’s important you hold the liable party responsible.
If you have been burned due to another’s negligence, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
Personal Injury Attorneys for Burn Injuries in West Des Moines, IA
Handling an extensive burn, the symptoms and emotional aftereffects of the injury can be overwhelming. It might seem impossible for you to deal with legal issues on top of the medical bills, doctor’s visits and emotional trauma. That is why the personal injury lawyers at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. want to offer our services to you so you can receive compensation for your injuries.
If your burn was caused by another person’s negligence, then give the attorneys at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. a call. We have extensive experience with personal injury cases and can use our knowledge to your advantage. Our practice can be found in West Des Moines, but McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. accepts clients throughout the greater Polk County and Dallas County area.
Overview of Burn Injuries in Iowa
- How to Get Compensation for Your Injuries
- Causes for Burn Injuries
- Preventative Fire Safety Tips
- Additional Resources
How to Get Compensation for Your Injuries
If you sustained a burn injury, it’s possible you could be entitled to a monetary award. You may be able to file a personal injury suit against the responsible party to recover any damages you’ve lost since the incident. To do this, you must first collect evidence that proves the defendant’s negligence was the cause of your injury to the court.
The term “negligence” in a legal setting has a very specific definition. A person is negligent if they fail to behave with the same level of care that a reasonable person would if they were in the same situation. You can be negligent by acting carelessly or recklessly such as working with dangerous flammable chemicals irresponsibly. It can also include omissions of actions such as leaving an exposed wire in a public building or failing to provide smoke detectors and alarms.
You can file a suit for your burn if the following events occurred:
- The defendant owed a legal duty of care to you;
- They breached that duty intentionally or by being grossly unaware of their surrounding;
- You suffered and sustained a burn injury because of that breach; and
- You have viable proof that the defendant’s breach of duty caused your injury
“Duty of care” in the world of tort law is when a person is expected to perform certain actions in a specific scenario. These actions depend on the relationship between petitioner and respondent, their actual ability, and other relevant factors. There are several ways to determine if a defendant has a duty to act, including but not limited to:
- The defendant was the cause of the risk that lead to your injury;
- The defendant voluntarily decided to protect you from any type of harm;
- The defendant is aware how their conduct could hurt others;
- There is a business or personal relationship such as landlord and tenant owner, customer and business owner, and innkeeper and guest.
If you’ve established the elements above, then you’ll have standing to sue the responsibility party. Your next step will be to file a demand letter to the liable party. If they reject it, you can then turn to mediation or take the case to court. It’s important to understand you only have two years to file a claim if you were injured by negligent actions. Once you passed that due date the court will bar your claim altogether.
Causes of Burn Injuries
A burn can happen in a variety of ways. Some burn themselves because of a sudden fire from chemicals that rushes up to their face while others were burned from waking up in a housefire. No matter how you were burned, if you are suffering from a burn by another’s negligence you may be entitled to compensation. Some causes of a burn include:
- Steam burns – Occurs from industrial accidents when an appliance is under extreme steam pressure.
- Flash burns – Occurs from rapid ignition of a flammable gas or liquid.
- Electrical burns – Occurs when electricity gets passed through skin tissue.
- Chemical burns – Occurs from exposure to a caustic substance such as a strong acid or base like bleach.
- Scalds – Occurs from contact with hot liquids.
- Flame burns – Occurs in a building or other facility fire.
Preventative Fire Safety Tips
Some preventive fire safety tips that you can implement to avoid burns include:
- Ensure all smoking products are stubbed out completely
- Keep chemicals out of reach, and wear gloves during chemical use
- Test smoke detectors once a month
- Measure bath water temperature before use
- Install electrical outlet covers
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove
- Replace smoke detector every 10 years
- Keep water heater temperature under 120 degrees Fahrenheit
- Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen
- Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking
- Clean out dryer lint traps regularly
- Check and discard electrical cords with exposed wires
- Wear sunscreen every day, and avoid peak sunlight
- Lock up matches and lighters
Additional Resources
Burns – Visit the website of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGM) which supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lay the foundation for advances in medical sciences. Read what causes a burn, the differences between the types of burns, burn treatment, burn resources, and support from NGIM.
Burn Prevention fact sheet – Visit the official website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD). Find more information on preventing burns with children. Learn some key prevention tips, resources, and related pages for fire injuries.
Lawyer for Burn Injuries in Dallas County, IA
Were you recently burned because of another’s negligence? If so, then you could be entitled to a monetary award. It’s highly suggested you hire an attorney such as the ones from McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. to represent you in your case. If eligible, you may receive compensation that will cover all your medical costs and emotional losses from the injury.
McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. is a group of experienced personal injury attorneys. We are passionate about advocating for burn victims. Our attorneys have been practicing for years and discover if you are entitled to compensation. Do not suffer alone. Contact the attorneys at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. now.
McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. practices throughout the greater Polk County and Dallas County area in Iowa.