Philadelphia Burn Injury Attorney

Burns are some of the most painful injuries a person can experience. Burn victims often carry the scars for the rest of their lives, and burn injuries typically involve several medical treatments, including physical therapy to restore functionality to burned limbs.

Why Choose Us?

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our mission is to help individuals succeed when they sustain injuries caused by the negligence of another.

• We focus on putting the client first no matter what, which means you will always receive updates related to your ongoing case.
• Our team believes in using the latest technology to help win both inside and outside of the courtroom.
• We have an extensive track record of success securing major settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of clients throughout Pennsylvania.

There are several different types of burns, and a person can be burned in several ways, including:

• Heat burns (thermal burns). These are the most commonly seen burn injuries; close exposure to open flames, explosions, and contact with hot surfaces or liquids (scalding) can cause them. Thermal burns are typically external.
• Electrical burns happen when a person contact with an open electrical source or touches a high-voltage discharge such as an electric fence or utility panel. Electrical burns are externally painful but carry a high risk of internal complications afterward, and they can interfere with the body’s natural electrical currents.
• Chemical burns describe injuries caused by corrosive chemicals and sometimes by the inhalation of toxic fumes. Inhalation of corrosive or toxic chemicals can also scar the respiratory passages and cause brain damage.
• Radiation burns result from exposure to ultraviolet light, microwaves, and other forms of radiation. While most people commonly don’t contact with volatile nuclear material, sunburn is a type of radiation burn most people experience at some point.

If you or a loved one received burn injuries from an automobile accident, please reach out to our Philadelphia car accident lawyers to discuss your case.

Effects of a Burn Injury In Philadelphia

People typically assess the severity of a burn using a degree scale. First-degree burns are the least severe and describe burns that affect only the top layers of skin. First-degree burns usually heal in a matter of days or weeks and may result in light scarring. Second-degree burns affect the skin layers more deeply and take longer to heal than first-degree burns. Third-degree burns damage the skin layers and usually require skin grafts, and typically lead to a large amount of scarring. Finally, fourth-degree burns are the most severe and extend into the underlying tissues or bones beneath the skin.

Since burn injuries typically leave obvious scarring, they can be psychologically traumatic for the victim. Burns also leave the victim open to other complications, such as infections, respiratory problems, cardiovascular difficulties, and some types of cancer, such as skin cancer caused by excessive sun exposure.

Possible Compensation for Burn Injuries

Compensation for burn injuries is typically divided into two categories, economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are more concrete and easier to calculate than non-economic damages. 

Occasionally, punitive damages will be awarded if the court finds that the burn injury was caused by reckless, intentionally egregious behavior. Punitive damages are used to deter the behavior from being repeated by the defendant or anyone else. It can be used to make an example out of the defendant.

Economic Damages

Economic damages include losses that can be calculated monetarily. Such damages are to compensate the burn victim for the financial hardships they suffered due to their injury. Here is a list of possible economic damages: 

• • Medical expenses: These may include ambulance travel, emergency room visits, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, surgeries, procedures, prescriptions, doctor’s appointments, and follow-up visits.
  • Specialized medical equipment: These include wheelchairs, walkers, canes, prosthetics, and more. 

• Lost wages: Missed work following a burn injury will cause you to lose income, so past and future wages that will be lost due to time away from the job will be calculated.

• Diminished earning capacity: A burn injury may leave the victim unable to execute their job responsibilities as before, which can result in lost earnings.

• Property damage: Damage to property due to the fire, explosion or automobile accident that caused the burn will be calculated into the economic damages in your claim.

• Home alterations: To make homes more accessible, it is sometimes necessary to install ramps, stair lifts, grab bars, and handrails, and to modify bathrooms and kitchens. 

• Funeral and burial expenses: If a wrongful death occurred due to the burn injury, part of the economic damages filed on behalf of the estate could consider burial and funeral costs.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are less tangible and more up for interpretation when damages are being considered. They are intended to reimburse the burn victim for the damages they have sustained due to their injury. 

• Pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages. They include dealing with physical pain and discomfort and the accompanying emotional anguish associated with the burn injury.

• Emotional distress can manifest itself as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which are a direct result of the accident and the burn injury.

• Loss of enjoyment of life includes a lack of ability to participate in everyday life, enjoy former hobbies, or sustain the personal relationships that were once important to the burn victim.

• Scarring and disfigurement can substantially impact a burn victim’s feelings of well-being and self-esteem.

• Loss of companionship can occur when a burn victim’s injuries affect their ability to sustain close relationships with the people they love.

• Loss of consortium can be sought by the partner of the burn victim when the injuries have had a negative impact on their intimate relationship. 
• Punitive damages are occasionally awarded to the victim to punish the responsible party and discourage similar conduct in the future. 

This is by no means an exhaustive list. The non-economic damages that are associated with your specific injuries will vary. Your personal injury attorney can offer you advice and guide you in the direction of a most beneficial claim.

Burn injuries are painful and require ongoing medical treatment. As medical bills mount and work is missed, the burn victim and their family can be forced into a stressful situation. Your Philadelphia personal injury lawyer can help you to pursue the damages that you are entitled to.

Who Is Responsible In A Burn Injury Claim

Understanding who will be held liable after a burn injury occurs can be challenging period burn injuries can occur in a wide variety of ways, including vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, defective products, and more. A Philadelphia burn injury attorney will need to conduct an extensive investigation into the incident to determine which party or parties will be held liable for the injuries. Some of the possible liable parties can include the following:

• Individuals whose negligent actions directly or indirectly caused the victim’s injuries
• Employers who fail to take the steps necessary to protect employees from hazards
• Product manufacturers or retailers who sell defective items
• Regulatory agencies who failed to adequately investigate complaints about a product

An investigation into these incidents will need to occur, and this could take some time. An experienced attorney will look into all possible liable parties by gathering video surveillance footage, photographs, statements from eyewitnesses, and any other records necessary to prove what happened.

What If You Were Burned On The Job? 

If you or a loved one sustained a burn injury on the job, you will likely be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation will almost always provide complete coverage of medical expenses related to workplace injury. If an individual is unable to work while they recover, they will likely be able to receive a significant portion of their lost wages until they can return to work. In the event an individual sustains a long-term disability as a result of a workplace burn injury, there are various types of benefits available to them.

If the workplace burn injury occurred due to the negligent actions of a third party or as a result of employer negligence, it may be possible to file a civil lawsuit against the alleged negligent party. If a lawsuit is a possibility, it will be necessary to prove that the other party was negligent in order to recover additional compensation beyond what is available through workers’ comp.

Understanding whether or not you are able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit can be confusing. Your burn injury lawyer in Philadelphia will examine the facts of your case and help determine the best route for you to take to recover the total compensation for your losses.

What To Do After Suffering A Burn Injury? 

There are various steps that individuals can take soon after a burn injury occurs to help move their claim in the right direction. We understand that you may not be able to take all of these steps in this exact order, but we encourage you to reach out to your attorney for assistance as soon as possible. The more guidance you have as your claim moves forward, the better.

1. Prioritize Your Health

First and foremost, we genuinely care about your well-being and understand the physical and emotional toll a burn injury can take. Your health is the top priority, so please seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Proper medical care not only ensures your recovery but also establishes a stronger link between the incident and your injuries, which is vital for your legal claim. We are here to assist you every step of the way. 

2. Document the Accident and Injuries

Documenting the details of the accident and your injuries is crucial for building a strong case. Take photographs of your burn injuries, the accident scene, and any factors that may have contributed to the burn, such as faulty equipment or hazardous conditions. Keep a record of your medical treatments, doctor’s visits, and any related expenses. These details will provide essential evidence to support your claim and demonstrate the extent of your damages.

3. Preserve and Keep Evidence Safe

Preserving evidence related to the burn incident is crucial. This includes keeping any clothing or personal items damaged in the accident and obtaining statements or contact information from witnesses who observed the negligence that led to your injuries. Our legal team can guide you on how to preserve and gather evidence effectively, ensuring that crucial pieces of information are not lost or overlooked.

4. Avoid Communicating Directly with Insurance Companies

When dealing with burn injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, insurance companies may try to minimize your claim or offer a quick settlement that does not adequately compensate you for your losses. It’s crucial to avoid direct communication with insurance companies and refrain from providing recorded statements or accepting settlement offers without consulting an experienced attorney. Our empathetic team will handle all communication with the insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

5. Consult with an Experienced Burn Injury Attorney in Philadelphia

Navigating a burn injury claim can be complex and overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Consulting with an experienced burn injury attorney is crucial to protect your rights and maximizing your chances of recovering fair compensation. Our legal team has the knowledge and experience to handle your case, conducting a thorough investigation, gathering evidence, and advocating for your rights. We understand the financial, emotional, and psychological toll a burn injury can have on your life. We are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve to aid in your recovery.

Contact Burn Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia

If you were burned and believe it was the fault of another person or entity, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and pain and suffering. A Philadelphia injury attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of any personal injury case. To prove negligence on the defendant’s part, your attorney will need to establish that they owed you a duty to act with reasonable care, they breached this duty by some action, and their action directly caused your burn injuries.

Burns require serious medical intervention and often necessitate ongoing medical treatments, physical therapy, or other rehabilitation measures. They are also incredibly painful wounds that leave psychological scars as well as physical ones. The effects of a burn injury may also cause a victim to miss time at work, and their families will struggle with finances. In some cases, a burn suffered in the workplace may entitle you to benefits with the help of a Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer. 

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our team of attorneys believes victims should not have to bear the cost of their injuries alone if the negligent actions of another caused them. Burns are serious injuries that require careful medical attention and a stress-free time to heal. Contact the legal experts at Ciccarelli Law Offices if you have any questions about a burn injury in the Philadelphia area or wish to start reviewing a case today.