New York Burn Injury Lawyer

Aggressive New York Burn Injury Lawyer Fighting to Protect the Rights of Clients In Suffolk County, Nassau County, Queens County, and Throughout NY 

Emergency rooms across the US attend to more than 500,000 burn injury cases annually. Burn injuries are common and quite devastating when they occur. These injuries cause excruciating pain and a great deal of suffering. Their effects can also last a lifetime. These injuries can lead to disfigurement from permanent scarring or paralysis. In some instances, burn injuries can result in death. Recovering from burns is not easy. Victims may have to undergo multiple surgeries, extended hospitalization, and continued care. They may be unable to work. The injuries can put a huge economic burden on the victim and their family. With so much at stake, it’s vital to have an experienced New York burn injury lawyer fighting in your corner. 

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious burn injury as a result of another person’s reckless or negligent actions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. The attorneys at the Harrison Law Group, P.C. will provide you with high-quality legal representation. We’ll fight to hold the party or parties responsible for your injury to account and seek maximum compensation for your damages. Our team will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf. You can rely on us to fight for the best outcome in your case. 

Contact us today for a free consultation with an attorney from our law firm. 

Understanding Burn Injuries

The concept of a burn injury may seem easy to understand but there are different kinds and severity of burns that each require different methods of treatment.

Types of Burns

Fire is not the only cause of burn injuries, though it is one of the most common. Other causes of burn injuries include the following:

Thermal Burns – These are caused by a very hot object coming into contact with the skin. Open flames are a common cause of thermal burns as are very hot metals, high-temperature steam, and scalding liquids.

Radiation Burns – The most common type of radiation burn is from the sun or other sources of UV light like tanning beds. They can cause sunburn, which is not necessarily dangerous but can be very uncomfortable. Other sources of radiation like X-rays or the radiation used to treat cancer can cause burns, though that is rare. Rarer still are radiation burns caused by nuclear radiation since very few people will ever come into contact with that kind of radiation source.

Friction Burns – These are fairly common and occur when the skin scrapes against a rough surface. Carpet burns and rope burns are common types of friction burns. The so-called road rash suffered by motorcyclists who crash and slide along the ground is another type of friction burn.

Chemical Burns – Burns caused by strongly acidic liquids or solvents are a common cause of chemical burns. But those types of substances do not just burn the skin, some of them can burn the lungs and respiratory system if their fumes are inhaled. That is why it is necessary to closely read and follow the warning labels on any container of strong chemicals.

Electrical Burns – Any high voltage electrical source can cause this kind of burn. From an electrical socket to exposed wiring to an electric fence to a lightning strike, all can cause electrical burns of varying degrees.

Cold Burns – A cold burn might seem like an oxymoron but frostbite is categorized as a burn. It can be caused by being in cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time or coming into contact with a very cold object for an extended period.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries 

Severe burn injuries can occur in a wide variety of ways. Many of the causes of severe burn injuries are preventable. The attorneys at the Harrison Law Group, P.C. have represented burn injury victims in cases involving: 

• Construction accidents
• Chemical burns 
• Use of defective products 
• Electrical burns 
• Motor vehicle accidents 
• Scalding from hot or boiling liquids 
• Friction burns 
• Exposure to radiation 
• Explosions 
• Hazardous conditions on someone else’s property 
• Medical negligence 

Our attorneys will investigate the cause of your burn injuries and determine who can be held liable for your injuries. Examples of parties that can be held liable in a  burn injury case include: 

• The motorist that caused the motor vehicle accident 
• Transit companies 
• Government agencies 
• Property owners 
• General contractors 
• Manufacturers of defective products 
• Other negligent parties 

Degrees of Burn Injuries 

Burn injuries are grouped into six degrees with the severity of the burn increasing with each degree. The first three degrees are more common while fourth, fifth, and sixth-degree burns are relatively rare.

• First-degree burns – these are burn injuries that are considered minor. The burn damage only affects the top layer of the skin i.e. the epidermis. These cause minimal damage and are sometimes called superficial burns; sunburn is a common example of a first-degree burn. They only affect the outer layer of the skin and can be treated at home by soaking the burn in cool water for about five minutes or using an antibiotic ointment. First-degree burns usually heal in about a week and medical treatment is not typically required.
• Second-degree burns – These burns affect the dermis and the epidermis. They occur as a result of longer exposure to the heat source. They can result in skin tightening, blistering, redness, and pain. This type of burn is more serious because the damage extends beyond the outer layer of the skin. With a second-degree burn, blisters form on the skin at the site of the burn. Sometimes the blisters will burst which leaves the burn susceptible to infection. That is why it is important to keep a second-degree burn cleaned and bandaged until it heals. That healing can take about two to three weeks to heal, though some can take longer. Skin grafts may be required for particularly bad second degree burns, though this is relatively rare. Second-degree burns can be treated at home using cool water or antibiotic ointment, but medical treatment is required if the burn occurs on a sensitive part of the body like the face or groin.
• Third-degree burns – These affect all layers of the skin. They may also cause damage to the tissue that is directly under the skin. Treatment may involve getting skin grafts to repair the damage. Victims may also suffer nerve damage. A third-degree burn is extremely serious because it causes severe damage to every layer of the skin. Despite their severity, third-degree burns do not necessarily cause pain because the damage is so extensive it might damage the pain receptor nerves. Emergency medical intervention is required to treat third-degree burns because they can cause so much damage. Aside from the direct damage from the burn, there can also be complications from infections, blood loss, and shock, which could lead to death.
• Fourth-degree burns – These are the most severe type of burns. They affect the deep tissues and may even damage the muscle and bone tissue. Victims often suffer nerve damage. These kinds of burns are more serious than third-degree burns because they are far more gruesome. They penetrate past the layers of the skin down into the muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones. That means there might not be any pain because the nerves responsible for feeling pain might be destroyed. The damage from these kinds of burns is so severe that they may require amputation since there is no way to heal the burned body part. They can also lead to the death of the burned person. These kinds of burns are considered to be serious medical emergencies, which is why emergency services should be called immediately so that they can be treated by medical professionals.

As you can see, burn injuries range from the mild to the life-threatening and in the more serious cases, significant medical intervention is required. Burn injuries may also be accompanied by other long-term health complications such as lung damage as a result of inhalation of chemical or smoke fumes or heart arrhythmia due to electrocution. Medical intervention can be expensive, which is why you should get the Harrison Law Group to help you. We will assign a personal injury attorney to you who is laser-focused on getting you the compensation you deserve so that you can get the necessary treatment. So if you have been badly burned because of the negligent behavior of someone else, contact emergency services to get the treatment you need, and then call the Harrison Law Group to get the justice you deserve.

Contact the Harrison Law Group, P.C. for Free Consultation with an Experienced New York Burn Injury Lawyer 

If you have suffered a serious burn injury resulting from the negligence of another party, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact the Harrison Law Group, P.C. to schedule an appointment for a consultation with an experienced New York burn injury lawyer from our law firm. The attorneys at the Harrison Law Group, P.C. will fight for justice on your behalf. 

We are experienced in recovering compensation on behalf of burn injuries in New York. We will fight for your rights and ensure that your best interests are considered throughout the process of seeking compensation. We will take the burden of seeking justice and recovering compensation off your hands so you can focus all your energy on recovering from your injuries. 

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at the Harrison Law Group, P.C. for a free no-obligation consultation on your burn injury claim. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Burn Injuries in New York