When someone suffers a burn injury due to another person’s negligence, having experienced New York burn injury lawyers by your side is crucial. These professionals are dedicated to seeking justice and securing the financial compensation needed to help victims rebuild their lives with their loved ones, free from financial worries.
Burns injuries are among the most traumatic experiences a person can endure. They may lead to:
Treating burn injuries often involves extensive, costly medical procedures, sometimes amounting to millions of dollars. Beyond the physical and emotional toll, victims face daunting questions, such as:
We will address all these concerns. But first, here are some key facts every burn injury victim should know:
Were you the victim of a burn injury caused by negligence? At Gorayeb & Associates, we’ve recovered over one billion dollars in compensation for our clients, giving them the support they need to move forward without financial setbacks. Call us at 332-286-2437 or complete this form to schedule a free consultation. Our team of attorneys is available 24/7, ready to provide support and fight for the justice you deserve.
Burn injuries can be categorized based on their causes, such as explosions, electrical malfunctions, or contact with chemicals. These incidents can happen in various everyday environments, whether at home, work, or daily activities like shopping or running errands.
Here are the six most common types of burns:
1. Friction Burns
Friction burns occur when the skin is severely abraded after rubbing against a hard surface, such as asphalt. They are frequently seen in traffic accidents, especially involving bicycles and motorcycles that slide across the road after an impact. Even with protective clothing, the intense collision can cause significant friction burns.
2. Chemical Burns
These burns result from contact with hazardous substances like acids, solvents, or strong detergents. Manufacturers of such products are legally obligated to disclose their risks and provide clear usage instructions. Moreover, employers working with chemicals must ensure employees are adequately trained and equipped with proper safety to handle these substances without risk.
3. Electrical Burns
Electrical burns happen when an individual comes into contact with an electrical current. They are particularly common in workplaces, particularly on construction sites, where temporary electrical setups are often used. Construction companies must create a safe work environment and adhere to safety protocols. If an accident occurs, they may be held liable.
4. Cold Burns
Cold burns arise from prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures or direct contact with frozen objects. Employers must provide proper clothing and equipment to shield workers from extreme weather in outdoor work environments, particularly in cold climates like New York.
5. Thermal Burns
These burns are caused by contact with hot objects, boiling liquids, flames, or steam. For example, on a construction site, molten metal might accidentally fall on a work due to a colleague’s negligence, or a fire could cause direct exposure to flames.
6. Radiation Burns
Radiation burns occur from exposure to sources of radiation, such as X-rays or cancer treatment therapies. They can also happen in nuclear power plants. In these cases, employers must prioritize worker safety by offering proper training and protective equipment to ensure employees can perform their duties securely.
Burn injuries can range from mild, easily healable wounds to severe damages that result in permanent disability or, in extreme cases, death.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) categorizes burns based on the extent of the damage they cause, classifying them into the following types:
These burns affect only the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). The main symptoms are:
Treatment involves cooling the affected area. Generally, these burns heal within a few days without needing medical attention.
These burns affect the epidermis and the dermis (the deeper skin layer) to a moderate degree. Symptoms include:
It is essential to seek medical attention to properly clean and disinfect the blisters as there is a risk of infection. Recovery typically takes several days, and in some cases, scarring may occur.
These burns affect not only the epidermis and dermis but also the underlying layers, such as:
Immediate medical treatment is necessary. Often, the dead tissue must be removed to promote healing. While the affected area may develop permanent scars, patients generally fully recover. Sometimes, these burns are not painful because the nerves have been damaged.
These are the most severe burns, as they destroy the muscles and may even reach the bones. The main characteristics are:
Although these burns do not cause pain due to nerve destruction, they pose a high risk to life. Emergency medical attention is crucial. They can lead to severe consequences such as:
At Gorayeb & Associates, our top priority is your health after a burn injury. That is why our first step is to ensure that victims receive the appropriate medical care.
Once a precise diagnosis of the injuries and recovery process is established, we can accurately determine the fair amount of compensation to pursue.
Unfortunately, many burn victims lose the opportunity to receive proper compensation by not having the support of experienced burn injury lawyers in NYC, often accepting initial offers from insurance companies.
It is important to remember that insurance companies prioritize their investors' interests over those of the victims. Therefore, burn victims should be aware of the following abusive practices that insurance representatives might use:
Compensation refers to the one-time, final payment made by the responsible party to the victim, meaning:
These scenarios are unjust, and legal help for burn injuries in New York works to prevent them. That is why we first ensure we have all the information about the severity of the injuries and the estimated recovery time to build a strong case backed by specialized legal actions that include the following stages:
To win a personal injury case, such as a burn accident, it is necessary to prove that the fault lies with another party. This fault, legally known as “negligence,” is based on a fundamental principle: in certain situations, one party has a “duty of care” toward another. A clear example would be:
The construction supervisor is obligated to ensure that all work areas, machinery, and tools are safe and to verify that all workers are properly trained to perform the tasks assigned to them. If a failure to fulfill any of these responsibilities leads to an explosion and a worker suffers a burn injury, the employer is deemed to have breached their duty of care and is liable for the construction accident.
The same applies to any company, establishment, or reckless driver. If a party’s negligence causes burns, the victim has the right to compensation.
Proving negligence is the foundation for constructing a solid case to ensure compensation. To do this, our burn accident attorneys take the following actions:
Once negligence has been proven, the exact amount of compensation to seek must be calculated. This calculation is based on four key factors:
These factors lead to two types of compensation benefits:
Economic Compensation Benefits: This includes all bills related to the injuries, such as:
This calculation is objective, adding up all the bills incurred.
Non-Economic Compensation Benefits: Thor covers damages for psychological and emotional harm, such as:
This calculation is subjective. The most common method is to multiply the total economic expenses by a factor between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the injuries.
If the case goes to trial and the jury determines that the liable party intended to harm the victim, they may add a special compensation known as "punitive damages" to the total amount.
Once the compensation amount is determined, we notify the responsible party’s insurance company and provide all collected evidence proving negligence.
Typically, insurance companies have 30 days to respond. Their response may be one of the following:
If a lawsuit is required, it does not necessarily mean a trial, as there is a process called “mediation,” which works as follows:
If no agreement is reached during mediation, the case must be resolved in court, where a jury will decide. The responsible party will then be required to pay the amount determined by the jury, and no further negotiation will be possible.
According to the American Burn Association, which is tasked with burn injury prevention, the following are the most common causes of such accidents:
If you have been involved in an accident that caused burn injuries, follow these critical steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
If your injuries prevent you from taking these actions, ask a colleague or trusted person to do them. These steps can be crucial in securing your compensation case.
Here are some common concerns we address when helping clients who have suffered burn injuries in New York.
Traditional attorney fee structures can often place undue financial stress on victims, especially when lawyers charge hourly rates. This method can leave clients uncertain about the time and costs involved in their case. However, contingency fee agreements are designed to protect victims’ rights, interests, and finances. They work as follows:
Contingency fees ensure the legal firm fully invests in your case to achieve the best possible outcome.
Severe burns can have fatal consequences, and when tragedy strikes, nothing can undo the loss. However, immediate family members of the deceased may be entitled to financial compensation to help ease their burden during this difficult time. These benefits can cover funeral expenses and provide financial stability for the future.
Eligible family members typically include spouses, children, or siblings. If no immediate family exists, the closest living relatives may qualify. This type of compensation may include payment for all the deceased's wages from the accident to their retirement.
To secure compensation in such a case, providing evidence proving the accident was caused by negligence is essential. This may involve negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company or pursuing legal action.
If your burn injuries prevent you from traveling, one of our personal injury attorneys can visit you at your recovery location, home, or a hospital. Alternatively, we can arrange a video call if that is more convenient for you.
You can reach us by calling 332-262-6994 or contacting someone on your behalf. Additionally, you can fill out an online form to schedule a free consultation. Our legal team is available 24/7, every day of the year. We are ready to assess your case and offer solutions for your needs.
