Virginia Burn Injury Attorney

The American Burn Association reports that more than 450,000 people in the United States receive medical treatment for burn injuries each year. Approximately 30,000 are hospitalized, and hundreds of victims do not survive.

Burns are among the most painful injuries a person can endure. Survivors face significant challenges from the effects of their injuries. The cost of hospital bills, rehabilitation, ongoing care, and loss of earning ability can be staggering. When a burn happens because of another party’s negligence or reckless actions, victims deserve full compensation.

At Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C., we understand the major physical, emotional, and financial pain that burn victims and their families go through. Our goal is to make the legal process as smooth as possible.

Our firm has a long history of representing individuals in Virginia. We take on even the most complex personal injury cases. We are tireless advocates for each client we serve. Our deep understanding of this area of law and a record of dedication to achieving positive results gives our clients confidence that they are in a strong position to obtain a just result.

Understanding Burn Classifications and Damages

To pursue a burn injury claim, you should understand the different levels of injury and their long-term effects. The severity of a burn is typically classified by degrees.

First-degree burns are superficial and usually heal on their own. Second-degree burns go deeper and can cause severe pain and blistering. Third-degree burns are the most serious, destroying all layers of skin and requiring immediate medical attention, often including skin grafts.

The most severe, fourth-degree burns, extend into the muscle and bone, often leading to permanent disability or death. The compensation sought in a burn injury case, known as damages, is directly related to the injury’s severity.

Damages are separated into two main categories. Economic damages cover verifiable, out-of-pocket expenses. This includes medical bills, future care costs, and lost wages.

Non-economic damages address the intangible suffering caused by the injury. This can include physical pain, emotional distress, and disfigurement. A comprehensive legal approach is necessary to account for all of these losses.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Virginia

Burn injuries can occur in many ways, often stemming from the carelessness of another party. One common cause is a fire or explosion resulting from a motor vehicle accident.

Workplace incidents are another source. These can include electrical burns from poorly maintained equipment or chemical burns from exposure to hazardous substances. Burn injuries can also result from a defective product, such as a faulty electrical appliance or a poorly made household item that ignites unexpectedly.

Premises liability is another significant area where burn injuries can arise. This can include scalding from hot water systems that are not properly regulated in hotels or apartment buildings.

Injuries can also happen from a fire caused by a building owner’s failure to address fire hazards. When these incidents happen, the responsibility of the at-fault party may be called into question. Our firm can help investigate the circumstances to identify all liable parties and gather the evidence needed to build a strong case.

How a Law Firm Can Help

Navigating the aftermath of a serious burn injury can be a difficult and overwhelming process. Working with a legal team can alleviate the burden of the legal process. This allows you to focus on your recovery.

The first step is to thoroughly investigate the incident. This involves reviewing accident reports, gathering witness statements, and analyzing physical evidence. Your legal team may also work with medical professionals to fully understand the long-term impact of your injuries.

Once the facts are established, the next stage is negotiation. This involves communicating with the insurance companies of the at-fault parties to seek a fair settlement.

If the insurance companies do not offer an acceptable amount, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit and prepare for trial. A committed law firm will handle all aspects of this litigation, from drafting and filing legal documents to representing your interests in court. Our firm is dedicated to providing robust legal support to help you through this challenging time.

Types and Classifications of Burn Injuries

There are several different types of burns individuals suffer, some of the most common include:

• Thermal Burns: These injuries happen when the victim comes into contact with something hot. Typically, a thermal burn will happen when the victim comes in contact with flames or fire, hot liquid or steam, or a hot object such as a cooking pan or heated stove burner. Thermal burns are the most common type of burn injury, and they can happen in numerous settings.
• Chemical Burns: These injuries happen when the body comes in contact with a toxic or harsh irritant, such as acid. Substances containing acid that can cause chemical burns include ammonia, chlorine, bleach, battery acid, and many strong household cleaners. Chemical burns are most common in certain types of workplaces where employees frequently handle chemicals. Examples include construction sites, factories, agricultural sites, and medical facilities.
• Electrical Burns: These types of burns happen when an individual comes in contact with an electrical current, causing a shock to run through the body. This is commonly known as electrocution. Our internal systems are not resistant to electricity, so when a shock or jolt happens, it can result in internal injuries. Some electrical shocks are so powerful, they can cause a person’s clothing to catch fire, resulting in thermal burns as well.
• Friction Burns: A friction burn is an abrasion to the surface of the skin that is caused by the skin scraping or rubbing repeatedly against another surface. The friction of the two surfaces rubbing together generates heat, resulting in the burn. Examples may include carpet burn, rug burn, and rope burn.
• Radiation Burns: This is damage to the skin or other biological tissue because of radiation. The most common type of radiation burn is sunburn. However, this type of burn also happens frequently to cancer patients who are undergoing radiation treatment.
• Laser Burns: These burns are often the result of cosmetic surgery, the most common being laser hair removal treatment. Laser burns can be caused by lack of operator experience or laser hair removal equipment that has not been approved by the FDA.

Burn injuries vary in severity, and can be divided into three general categories:

• First-Degree Burns: This is the mildest type of burn, affecting the top layer of the skin only, also known as the epidermis. First-degree burns can usually be treated with home remedies and without the need for medical attention. They typically heal by themselves within about a week.
• Second-Degree Burns: These burns penetrate both the top layer of the skin (epidermis) and the layer beneath it (dermis). Second-degree burns are often referred to as “partial thickness burns”, and they can often require a skin transplant procedure to cover the burn and allow it to heal.
• Third-Degree Burns: These are more severe burn injuries which penetrate into the third layer of skin. These burns often appear leathery, black, brown, or white, and are frequently accompanied by numbness, pain, and swelling in the affected areas. Third-degree burns typically require immediate and rigorous medical treatment and extensive rehabilitation time.

What Causes Burn Injuries?

There are many possible causes of burn injuries, including:

• Auto Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
• Workplace Accidents
• Electrical Accidents
• Defective Product Accidents
• Daycare Accidents
• Household and Apartment Explosions/Fires
• Tanker Explosions
• Forest Fires
• Medical Malpractice

Burn Injury Claims in Virginia

Victims that suffer severe burns because of another party’s negligence can file a claim for damages. These can be divided into two main categories:

• Economic Damages: These are actual expenses incurred due to the burn injury. Examples include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and in extreme cases in which the victim was killed by the injury, funeral and burial expenses.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are damages suffered that cannot be quantified, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.

In rare cases in which the conduct of the responsible party was especially egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter them (and others) from committing similar acts in the future.

Pursuing a burn injury claim can be complicated and challenging. A thorough investigation must be conducted, and sufficient facts and evidence must be gathered to prove the cause of the injury. The burden of proof is even higher in Virginia, because they apply the “contributory negligence” standard. Under contributory negligence, a victim who is found to be even 1% at-fault for their injury may be barred from recovering compensation. For this reason, it is very important to work with a seasoned personal injury lawyer with the proven ability to effectively argue your case.

Speak with a Skilled Virginia Burn Injury Lawyer

Burns cause severe damage to the skin and even the muscle and tissue underneath. The healing process for burns is long-drawn and painful, requiring multiple skin grafts and surgeries. Burn injuries often leave the victims scarred for life, both physically and emotionally.

At the law offices of Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C., we have the experience, knowledge, resources, and commitment to aggressively pursue just compensation for clients who have been injured because of another party’s actions or omissions.

Our lawyers are compassionate and responsive. We provide initial consultation s, and we take the time to thoroughly analyze your case and advise you of your rights and options, so you can make the most informed decision regarding which legal avenue you wish to pursue. We also take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney fees if we recover damages on your behalf.

To schedule your initial consultation , call our office today at 703-361-1555, or you may send a secure and confidential message through our online contact form.