The American Burn Association estimates that about 450,000 people receive emergency care and treatment for burns each year in the United States. This number does not reflect burn injuries that are treated at community health centers, private doctor’s offices, or hospital clinics. Approximately 3,400 of these burn victims die due to their burn injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), fires and burns are the third leading caused of accidental deaths. There is a fire injury every 30 minutes each year. Burn victims who are injured as a result of the negligence of another party may be entitled to monetary compensation.
Categorizing Burn Injuries
The most commonly damaged part of a burn victim’s body is the skin. However, a serious burn injury can damage almost all of the victim’s vital organs and nerve endings, which includes the central nervous system. Serious burn injuries can also cause emotional injuries.
Burn injuries are categorized according to the severity of damage to the tissues:
First-degree burns: First-degree burns affect the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis. This type of burn causes redness and pain. A common example of a first-degree burn is mild sunburn.
Second-degree burns: Second-degree burns extend to the second layer of the skin, called the dermis. They can cause redness, pain, and blisters. A deep second-degree burn can progress to a third-degree burn.
Third-degree burns: Third-degree burns go deep to the two layers of the skin. This type of burn causes damage to the underlying bones, tendons, and muscles. Third-degree burn victims typically do not suffer pain because their nerve endings are destroyed.
Fourth-degree burns: Fourth-degree burns can extend deep through the skin as well as the fat and into the underlying bone and muscle.
Legal Action for Burn Injuries
If you or a loved one has been burned in a fire accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, you need to immediately consult with a New York burn accident attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for:
-Past and future medical bills
-Loss of income
-Loss of future earning capacity
-Emotional trauma
-Pain and suffering
-Other out of pocket expenses
We Can Help You If Your Are Injured
When you are burned or injured as the result of the wrongful acts of another party, you need to hire an experienced New York burn accident attorney to protect your legal rights. The attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek P.C. have more than 40 years of experience and knowledge to aggressively fight for your rights and get you the full extent of monetary compensation that you deserve.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our New York burn injury attorneys, please call 1-800-529-9997.
