San Francisco Burn Injury Lawyers
Burn injuries are a leading cause of deaths and injuries in the United States. Burn injuries are likely catastrophic and extremely painful, often requiring lengthy hospital stays and years of treatment and rehabilitation. If a victim survives, they are often left with permanent physical disfigurement and scars. If you or a loved one was the victim of a burn injury, an aggressive attorney can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost earnings and pain and suffering. A skilled and experienced San Francisco burn injury attorney can handle all the legal aspects of your case while you focus on recovery.
Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injury accidents are commonplace in the home, workplace and car. More than 42 percent of burn accident victims were injured at home, reports the American Burn Association (ABA). Residential fires are responsible for more than 88 percent of all burn-related deaths and are the most common source of injury to a victim. The additional causes of burn accident injuries include:
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Types of Burn Injuries
Burns are caused by heat (thermal), electricity, radiation, chemicals and friction. While most only affect the skin, burns can also injure muscle, bone and blood vessels. Severe burn injury victims are exposed to shock, infection, organ failure or dysfunction and respiratory issues. Burn injuries are assessed by the degree (severity) and the surface area (how much of the burn covers the body).
The severity of a burn is classified into four different classes:
First-degree burns
First-degree burns only involve the top layer of the skin (epidermis). Minor pain and a little redness are symptoms of a first-degree burn. Sunburns are considered a first-degree burn.
Second-degree burns
A second-degree burn involves the top layer and/or deep layer of the skin. These burns can take more than three weeks to heal and may require skin grafting. Because of potential nerve damage, pain may be more severe. Blistering skin is a common symptom of a second-degree burn.
Third-degree burns
A third-degree burn is when the deepest layer of the skin is lost along with damage to surrounding tissue. The result is charring, scarring, and loss of hair shafts. A third-degree burn is not as painful, due to severely damaged nerves, but surrounding first and second-degree burns can inflict severe pain. Skin grafting is required for the majority of third-degree burns.
Total body surface area (TBSA)
The percentage of the body affected by burns. Because of different body proportions the "rule of nines" is applied. The patient’s hand (palm and fingers) is approximately 1 percent of their total body surface area.
Children and Burn Injuries
Children are unfortunately common victims of burn injuries. A study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy reports that more than 10,000 pediatric burn injuries are reported each year. Of these, children between the ages of newborn and 2 are the most hospitalized for burn injuries to their hands and wrists. A child’s delicate, thin skin can be burned more deeply and by lower temperatures. Contact with hot liquids or steam is the most common type of injury for younger children, while older children more often suffer from flame related injuries. When burn injuries result from the negligent supervision of a babysitter, teacher, or other party entrusted with supervising a child, a victim may be entitled to compensation in a San Francisco personal injury claim.
San Francisco Burn Injury Lawyers
Burn victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation if the injuries were the result of negligence or carelessness. The San Francisco burn injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger are knowledgeable at handling all aspects of a legal claim, and have recovered millions in verdicts and settlements for burn injury victims (see case results). Our personal injury law firm has received the highest possible AV-rating from Martindale-Hubbell. This designation, determined by our peers, is a testament to our high ethical standards and legal skills. If you or your child has suffered a burn injury, contact one of our experienced San Francisco personal injury attorneys today by calling (415) 877-1334. Our attorneys are available to discuss your case and answer your questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.