West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Jupiter and throughout Florida
No one expects to experience a burn injury. With modern technology and high safety standards, most Florida residents assume that the risk of being hurt in a fire or severe heat is minuscule.
In reality, burns are not rare events, and they strike in many different settings. The risk of a burn injury is ever-present, and many Florida residents are harmed in this way on a daily basis.
According to the American Burn Association, nearly half a million Americans need medical treatment each and every year for burn-related injuries. In addition, upwards of 50,000 of those victims required hospitalization to recover.
When the underlying event which led to a burn was caused completely or partially by another individual’s mistakes, then the negligent party may be required to provide compensation to the victim.
Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at Fetterman & Associates, PA provide legal advocacy for individuals that have suffered a burn injury. We have offices in West Palm Beach, Post St Lucie and a mobile office and we serve all of Florida.
To learn more about receiving compensation following a burn injury feel free to send us a message online or call our team at 561-845-2510 today.
Types of Florida Burn Accidents
Florida residents suffer burns in a variety of ways. Some of the most common include:
Building Fires – A home, office, or other building can catch fire for many reasons, from faulty wiring and oven malfunctions to gas leaks and cigarettes. When negligence caused the accident, then legal liability may be present.
In addition, if safety codes were not followed–like the installation of sufficient, working smoke alarms–then injuries that resulted from the lapsed safety may spur accountability
Cooking Fires – According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking accidents are the most common cause of home fires. Thousands of residents are severely injured each year in these accidents. At times the problem is rooted in dangerous kitchen products.
Car Accidents – Following an auto collision, fires or severe heat may injure those in the damaged vehicles. All injuries suffered in an auto accident that was caused by another individual’s negligence, including burns, can lead to recovery under the civil law.
Other Incidents – Other common situations where burns arise include exposure to toxic chemicals, defective tanning beds, space heater malfunctions, and grilling accidents.
Degrees of Burn Injury
Burn injuries run along a spectrum of severity. Most know the common “degrees” system; the higher the degree the more severe the injury:
- First degree burn – usually identified by redness and irritation of the skin with the burn only affecting the top layer of skin.
- Second degree burn – usually includes severe blistering and scarring where both the top and underlying layers of skin are damaged.
- Third/Fourth degree burn – severe injuries which destroy all layers of the skin; skin replacements and grafting are usually necessary.
Importantly, a burn injury does not only impact the skin. Beyond the physical scarring, the most severe burns frequently come with collateral injuries. For example, burns can damage organs, cause respiratory problems, interfere with the circulatory system, and damage nerves.
Burn injuries are known for the extreme pain and suffering faced by victims. In addition, the permanent scarring of those harmed by severe burns may cause long-lasting mental and emotional harm.
Even after the physical pain is gone, one’s appearance may be forever altered by the injury. It is not uncommon for victims to experience multiple surgeries and skin grafts that only partially repair the disfigurement.
Contact Our West Palm Beach Burn Injury Attorney Today
Burn injuries frequently lead to sky-high medical bills, months (or years) of lost wages, extreme pain and suffering, mental anguish, long-term disability, and many other damages.
When the injury was caused in any way by the negligence of another–from faulty products to lax safety standards–then the law demands the negligent party provide compensation to those hurt.
In Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and other local communities, the team of experienced Florida injury lawyers at Fetterman & Associates, PA is here to ensure full accountability for those harmed by another individual’s negligence.
We have the extensive experience and resources necessary to do whatever it takes protecting the rights of burn injury victims. To see how we can help in your case, call us at 561-845-2510 or send us a message online today.
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