Burn injuries cause excruciating pain, emotional anguish, and financial hardship. To heal, victims frequently require lengthy hospital stays in specialized burn units and multiple skin graft surgeries. They leave behind scars and disfigurement that place a physical and emotional burden on the victim.
At Jaloudi Law, we understand how distressing a severe burn can be, not only the physical damage it causes but also the emotional toll it may take on you and your entire family.
We are also aware that while you focus your energy on healing, you need someone on your side to fight for the compensation you deserve from anyone whose careless or irresponsible actions caused your burn. Contact our Clifton burn injury attorney today to learn how our law office can help you.
Why Do I Need a Burn Injury Attorney in New Jersey?
When it comes to burn injury claims, as well as other types of personal injury claims, the legal framework individuals must navigate can be extraordinarily complex. This can be challenging, particularly if you or a loved one are simultaneously recovering from severe burn injuries.
This is just one of the many reasons why working with a burn injury law firm or burn injury attorneys can be extremely advantageous. With our Clifton burn injury attorney on your side, you can concentrate on recovery and returning to your daily activities, with the assurance that we will be working tirelessly on your behalf.
Working with our Clifton burn injury attorney has the added benefit of ensuring that you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled. We will examine every facet of your case, from the medical bills you may have racked up, the work you may have missed, to the emotional suffering you’ve most certainly endured.
All this information will be used to determine a settlement amount that accurately reflects your ordeal. If the other party pushes with a lowball offer, as they likely will, our personal injury attorney will negotiate on your behalf and will never allow you to accept an unfair offer. We will work to collect evidence and advocate on your behalf to receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Call Jaloudi Law today to get started on the path to justice.
What Are the Different Causes of Burn Injuries?
Burns can be caused by a variety of factors, including fire, chemicals, electricity, boiling water, hot objects, and flammable liquids. Burn victims may have been injured in a variety of settings, including their own homes, vehicles, restaurants, workplaces, amusement parks, and shopping malls.
The majority of burns injuries are the result of someone else’s carelessness or a company’s failure to uphold legal safety standards. Others were caused by fire. Most frequently, we observe burns injuries in New Jersey through:
Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle fluids are flammable and can easily ignite after a collision. Collision may also force one or more vehicles off the road and onto dry grass or other combustible material. The heat from the vehicle’s engine or exhaust can easily ignite any dry material beneath it to cause a car fire. In these instances, the person at fault for the collision is also responsible for any burns that result.
Occupational Burn Accidents
On the job site, explosions, and toxic chemicals can cause burn injuries. Employers who fail to maintain a safe workplace and manufacturers of faulty equipment may be held liable.
A workplace fire may result in a claim for workers’ compensation as well as a claim or lawsuit against the manufacturer or distributor of the defective equipment.
Product Defects Causing Burn Injuries
Explosions caused by defective products can result in severe burn injuries to consumers. The product’s designer, manufacturer, or retailer may be liable. Product defects may include:
- Flammable Clothing
- Cosmetic Products
- Home Appliances
- Home Furniture and Mattresses
- Warming Pads
- Children’s Products and Toys
- Vehicle Parts
Burn Injuries Due to Residential and Apartment Fires
Numerous house and apartment fires are caused by faulty wiring, malfunctioning smoke detectors, and faulty kitchen appliances. If an electrician performed substandard work or a landlord was aware of a problem but failed to address it, they may be held liable.
A fire in a residence or apartment may also be caused by cooking equipment and appliances. These fires may be caused by the fault and carelessness of others. The failure of a landlord or tenants to comply with fire safety regulations can result in fires.
What Are the Different Types of Burns?
Typically, when you think of burn injuries, you may envision heat burns, such as those caused by hot water, an open flame, or prolonged contact with something too hot. Explosions, improperly maintained water heaters, and even grease fires in the kitchen can cause heat burns. However, other types of burns can be equally devastating.
Cold Burns
Long-term exposure to extreme colds can result in many of the same symptoms as a heat burn. Cold burns can cause extensive damage to the skin and underlying tissue. If not properly treated, the victim may sustain even more severe injuries.
Radiation Burns
Radiation burns can occur in an industrial or scientific setting, typically as a result of improper equipment use. Radiation burns can also occur in a medical setting as a result of improper equipment setup or a lack of knowledge on the part of the physician or nurse administering the treatment.
Electrical Burns
On construction sites, exposed electrical wiring, which can cause electrical burns, is the most common. Electricity can cause damage to exposed flesh and the skin beneath it. In some instances, exposure to electricity may not result in immediate skin burns but it may cause damage beneath the surface.
Friction Burns
Friction burns occur when something rapidly or repeatedly rubs against the skin’s surface. Friction burns may occur on construction sites. Heavy machinery that malfunctions or is utilized improperly might continue to spin or move quickly and result in friction burns. Accidents involving pedestrians may also result in road rash, which is caused by the skin dragging across the ground.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns may result from exposure to caustic chemicals, such as those commonly used on construction sites or those found in common cleaning supplies. It may occur upon exposure and worsens as exposure increases. In certain instances, however, chemical burns may worsen over time, with the most severe symptoms appearing several hours after exposure.
What Are the Four Degrees of Burns?
Typically, physicians grade burns based on their severity. Doctors have developed a scale for determining the severity and impact of burn injuries.
First-Degree Burns
Typical symptoms of first-degree burns include redness and pain. Since they involve only the outermost layer of skin, they often heal very quickly. First-degree burns can be treated at home.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and dermis. They may appear red or exhibit blistering symptoms. Second-degree burns typically cause more severe pain and are more likely to leave scars as they heal. Extensive second-degree burns may increase the risk of complications.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns extend beneath the skin and into the underlying tissue. It can sometimes cause excruciating pain. In other cases, victims may have suffered such severe nerve damage that the nerves can no longer transmit signals throughout the body, thereby reducing the victim’s pain.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones are typically affected by fourth-degree burns, the most severe type. Due to extensive nerve damage, victims with fourth-degree burns rarely feel their injuries. Fourth-degree burns have a high incidence of complications and can even be fatal.
What to Do Following a Burn Injury Accident?
Burn victims are frequently too severely injured to initiate or participate in the origin-and-cause investigation of a fire. Here are the recommended steps a family should take on behalf of a victim:
- Ensure that skilled burn physicians are managing the recovery of the patient.
- Photograph the area affected by the fire.
- Send a letter requesting a temporary stop from demolishing the property until your forensic fire expert can inspect it.
- Photograph and videotape all injuries and ongoing treatment, particularly bandage changes.
- Notate the names of all major hospital caregivers who can testify regarding the patient’s pain and suffering.
- Do not permit the injured to give any statements without first consulting with a personal injury attorney.
- Maintain copies of all medical bills, reports, and articles.
- Do not share anything on Facebook or other social media platforms.
- Do not speak to the media without the approval of a Clifton burn injury attorney.
If you have sustained burn injuries in an accident of any kind, you must contact our competent Clifton burn injury attorney immediately. Because evidence frequently vanishes or deteriorates, our personal injury attorney must examine the accident scene as soon as possible. The more rapidly we can document the accident scene, the stronger your case becomes.
Can I Take Legal Action for My Burn Injuries?
If you sustained a burn injury due to someone else’s actions or inactions, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. Personal injury cases are typically based on the theory of negligence, which is the failure to use the level of care that a reasonable person would use in a comparable circumstance.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might be able to file a lawsuit for personal injury against:
- At-fault driver
- Individual homeowner
- Architect or home builder
- Product manufacturer
- Others who commit careless or wrongful acts
Personal injury cases typically begin with a demand letter to the insurance company, in which our Clifton burn injury attorney explains the facts of the case and the legal basis for why their insured is liable, and then requests compensation. Typically, insurance companies will respond with a counteroffer, and the two parties will then negotiate a settlement. If the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, you may need to file a lawsuit to protect your legal rights.
Consult with our legal team to learn how to increase the likelihood of receiving full compensation for your burn injuries.
What If I Suffer a Burn Injury While at Work?
Everyone has the right to feel safe in all senses at their place of employment. Unfortunately, workplace injuries do occur, and some workplaces present a greater risk of injury than others. Nationwide, worker’s compensation exists as an alternative to injured employees suing their employers in court.
An injured worker would be expected to file for worker’s compensation rather than a personal injury lawsuit against their supervisor, coworker, or employer. This also applies in the event of a burn injury. However, if the burn injury was caused by a third party other than your employer or coworker, you may also be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you have suffered a burn injury at work and do not know what to do, contact our Clifton burn injury attorney immediately. Working with a personal injury attorney increases your chances of obtaining the justice and compensation you so richly deserve.
What Are the Elements of Negligence in a Burn Injury Claim?
The majority of cases involving personal injury, including burn injury cases, are founded on the theory of negligence. This theory has four elements that must be proven for your claim to have a chance of success:
Duty of Care
Our personal injury attorney must prove that the negligent party owed you a duty of care. You must demonstrate that the negligent party owed you a duty of reasonable care to prevent you from suffering an injury.
Breach of Duty of Care
Next, you must establish that the negligent party breached this duty of care because of his or her reckless or intentional conduct.
Causation
You must demonstrate that the breach of duty of care caused your burn injury. In other words, you must demonstrate that you would not have been injured absent the defendant’s actions.
Damages
The final element of negligence involves the consequences of your injuries. These are also referred to as damages, and they consist of medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, among other things.
Our Clifton burns injury attorney at Jaloudi Law is well-versed in establishing negligence. Speak to us today!
What Are the Different Forms of Compensation Available for Burn Injury Lawsuits?
You may be entitled to the following forms of compensation for your burn injury:
Special Damages
These are also referred to as economic damages, as there is a monetary value associated with the injury you’ve endured. Special damages include:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages and Earning Potential
- Damage to Property
General Damages
Unlike special damages, general damages do not have defined monetary values. These include the following:
- Physical aches
- Psychological suffering
- Physical disfigurement
- Physical disability
- Decreased quality of life
These damages can be just as detrimental to your life as special damages, even though it is difficult to quantify their monetary value. Our Clifton burn injury attorney is dedicated to recovering compensation for all of your damages. In addition, we can advise you on how to document general damages to strengthen your claim.
What Are the Available Compensations for Fatal Burn Injuries?
Sometimes, severe burns result in the victim’s tragic death. According to New Jersey law, the victim’s close surviving relatives may have the right to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the victim’s wrongful death. In a wrongful death claim, the family may be entitled to recover:
- Costs for funeral and burial
- Costs associated with the treatment of the burn injury before death
- Loss of the deceased victim’s company, assistance, and guidance
Taking legal action for the wrongful death of a loved one in a New Jersey burn incident requires the skill and experience of an accomplished personal injury lawyer. At Jaloudi Law, we have a long history of assisting bereaved families in seeking justice for the death of a loved one through legal action. Contact us today for more information.
What is the New Jersey Statute of Limitations for Burn Accidents?
A statute of limitations is a law that specifies the deadline for filing a lawsuit seeking compensation for a preventable injury caused by another party’s negligence. In general, a person loses the legal right to seek compensation if they fail to file a lawsuit within the statute-mandated time frame.
In most instances, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in New Jersey, such as a claim for compensation after suffering a burn injury, is two years from the date of the injury. In certain circumstances, the statute of limitations may be extended or shortened.
To protect their legal rights, Jaloudi Law always advises New Jersey burn injury victims to consult with an experienced personal law firm like ours as soon as possible.
Put Our Years of Legal Experience on Your Side Today
Among the many factors that distinguish us from other law firms specializing in burn injury cases, our experience is likely the most significant. Our personal injury attorneys have handled fire-origin and cause cases in Clifton and throughout New Jersey for years.
When you present us with a new case, we assemble a group of nationally renowned consultants to conduct a comprehensive fire scene analysis. This is a necessary step for optimizing your recovery. Simply put, the Clifton burn injury attorney at Jaloudi Law has unparalleled experience, and we will put it to work for you.
Our expertise and experience have assisted burn victims in recovering multiple millions of dollars in compensation. We intend to pursue maximum compensation for your burn injuries following such a catastrophic accident.
