Suffering a burn injury in Maryland can be a life-altering experience. Not only can it affect you physically, but it can have long-lasting emotional consequences. Generally, this has to do with the cosmetic effects of burns. Depending on where on your body you are burned, scarring from burn injuries can have a devastating impact. Our compassionate and experienced Maryland burn injury lawyers will refer you to doctors who specialize in these types of injuries. Moreover, we can help you navigate the complexities of the legal process in this type of case. A burn accident case can be challenging for a layperson seeking compensation on their own. You may face common defenses in Maryland, such as contributory negligence, assumption of risk, or other defenses that will bar your right to recovery.
Burn injuries are traumatic experiences. They can occur in a variety of settings, from the workplace to a restaurant, concert, grocery store, car accident, or virtually anywhere else. However, each scenario presents a different set of challenges. Our job as Maryland burn injury lawyers is to create a viable theory of liability based on the facts of your case and win you the compensation you need to cover your damages. Of course, burn injuries can be devastatingly painful. But they can also be expensive. We will discuss the variety of medical treatments available for severe injuries. Not only will we pursue compensation for your past medical expenses, but we will also consider your future medical expenses and lost wages related to your burn injury.
While we can never guarantee a result, we will leave no stone unturned in fighting for you against the negligent tortfeasor who caused you harm.
There are generally three categories of burns. Of course, you may suffer a less severe burn from food served too hot. However, that may not lead to one of the categories of burns listed below. While you may have a viable claim for that type of burn, the types of burns below involve more tissue damage.
First-degree burns are the least severe class of burns our Maryland burn injury lawyers encounter in our practice. They affect only the outer layer of the skin and cause minimal skin damage. The most common example of a first-degree burn for a point of reference is a sunburn. Occasionally, a sunburn can reach a second-degree burn, but that is rare. You may also suffer a first-degree burn from a hot surface, such as in a restaurant. While you do suffer some pain from a first-degree burn, it likely is not worth your time to pursue a claim against a defendant. You likely do not need medical treatment, and the noneconomic damages for a first-degree burn without other injuries are relatively insignificant. These burns usually heal in about a week and are more of a painful inconvenience than something warranting a lawsuit.
Our Maryland burn injury lawyers do represent victims of second-degree burns. This type of burn involves damage to the outer layer of skin and the underlying layer known as the dermis. Beyond the redness you get with first-degree burns, you also get swelling and blistering. Naturally, these burns can be quite painful and can require medical care. A doctor may perform a skin graft for a second-degree burn. A skin graft is a surgical procedure where the doctor takes a piece of healthy skin from another part of the body and attaches it to the area of burned skin. To avoid infection, the burned area must be cleaned before the new skin is transplanted. Skin infection is a severe risk for second-degree burns and is one of the primary concerns of your healthcare provider during your recovery. Recovery from a second-degree burn can take weeks to heal.
Our Maryland burn injury lawyers frequently handle this type of injury as the most severe burn category. A third-degree burn penetrates the entire skin, including deeper tissues. Third-degree burns can extinguish nerve ends on your skin, causing numbness to the touch. The appearance of a third-degree burn can be either white or blackened, charred skin. Naturally, the final cosmetic appearance of a third-degree burn needs to be top of mind when pursuing compensation for a burn injury. When we refer our clients to a plastic surgeon for a third-degree burn, some surgeons prefer to wait about a year after the original injury to give the skin a chance to heal on its own. In other instances, they will perform a skin graft immediately, and a doctor will focus on controlling the risk of infection.
Unfortunately, due to the severity of these burns, you may need surgery, long-term care, and rehabilitation. A third-degree burn destroys not just the outer layer of the skin but the inner layer, too. It is the worst category of burn medicine recognizes. You may suffer a third-degree burn from a scalding hot liquid, flames from a fire, an electrical source, a chemical source, or when your skin comes in contact with a hot object.
Our Maryland burn injury lawyers always work to secure you the maximum compensation for your injuries. Tort law surrounding this topic varies depending on who the defendant is and how the burn occurs. As always, it is best to contact a Maryland personal injury lawyer to get advice specific to your case. Our team of attorneys at Gelb & Gelb offers free consultations for burn injury victims 24/7. Call our office today for a free consultation to learn what your case may be worth and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Our Maryland burn injury lawyers observe misconceptions in all areas of personal injury law. Below are the most common misconceptions potential claimants have when discussing burn injuries in Maryland.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to distinguish between a first-degree and second-degree burn. As discussed above, a second-degree burn affects the skin beneath the surface, and a first-degree burn does not. However, you may be unable to tell if your tissue beneath the surface has been affected. This is why it is imperative to consult with a Maryland burn injury lawyer who will put you in touch with trusted doctors and give you the care you need to get better after an injury.
While minor burns might heal independently with proper first aid, more severe burns require professional treatment to manage pain, prevent infection, and minimize scarring.
As medicine continues to improve through 2024 and beyond, scarring can be avoided. Moreover, it is essential to note that you have a duty to mitigate damages as a plaintiff. That means, if you want to recover compensation for scarring, you must remember that you cannot necessarily collect compensation for a scar if a scar could have been avoided.
Contact a Gelb & Gelb Maryland burn injury lawyer today to discuss your options and next steps. Our Maryland office is open 24/7 to address your legal concerns.
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