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Where can I find help for the costs of a severe burn injury?

As victims of severe burns know, life can change in an instant. A fire can change a car accident into a tragedy, an on-the-job accident into a lifelong medical bill. While we cannot undo the pain and long hours of a Virginia burn victim’s accident, we can help them get their lives back.

How deeply can a person’s life be affected by a severe burn? Depending on the extent of damage, the victim could be permanently altered. For example, first-degree burns are superficial—there’s pain and swelling in the skin, but it heals fairly quickly. Second-degree burns go slightly deeper: redness, swelling, pain and blistering. Third-degree burns extend through the deepest layers of the skin tissue. The skin becomes black or even white from the heat, and the damage to the cell tissue is so extensive it will often go numb.

Although each burn is different, all burns are usually classified by the type of action that caused it:

Thermal burns are the most common type of burn. They result from open flames, heated liquids, steam or hot metal. The layers of skin often char, blister or break as a result.
Chemical burns are caused by acidic compounds that react with the skin. They can be more dangerous than thermal burns, as they are often made worse because people do not know how to care for them.
Electrical burns can occur anywhere there is faulty wiring, such as inside the home, in old buildings or construction sites, or after an accident where wires or leads are exposed.
Radiation burns can result from exposure to UV rays, X-rays, or any other type of radiation. These generally occur on a jobsite that involves handling of toxic materials.

The costs of living after a severe burn can increase dramatically. A burn may take months to heal, and require many follow-up treatments or reconstructive surgeries over the course of several years. Even with extensive treatment, a victim may permanently suffer any or all of the following:

Scarring
Disfigurement
Physical or social impairment
Loss of breathing ability due to smoke inhalation

It is difficult to tell who may be at fault in a Virginia burn accident case. There are often several individuals who are responsible for a product’s safety, including manufacturers, employers, vehicle engineers, property holders, landlords, and utility companies. The line goes all the way down to routine maintenance: a missed gas meter check or an electrician cutting corners can be catastrophic for you or your family.

An experienced DC personal injury attorney can discover whether your burn was caused by faulty manufacturing, improper service or poor regulation—and will ensure that the responsible party is brought to justice. We know that the healing process for a severe burn is lengthy, costly, and painful. We have also seen burn victims receive higher compensation for their injuries in personal injury cases, especially if a company or manufacturer is found to be at fault.

You shouldn’t pay for someone else’s mistake. Call Shevlin Smith today at (703) 591-0067 to schedule your free consultation and to learn more about Virginia burn injury settlements.